Replace Rotors with New Brake Pads

Discussion in 'Challenger Wheels, Tires and Brakes Forum' started by SRT-Tom, Jan 1, 2021.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 1, 2021 at 1:38 PM #1
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

    Posts:
    7,093
    Likes Received:
    2,221
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2011
    Location:
    southern New Jersey
    While it is possible to cut or machine a slotted rotor, if you set your brake lathe to its slowest setting to avoid any chatter, it is not advisable. There are four reasons why you should avoid machining existing rotors:

    Reason 1: Quality

    • Machining rotors make them thinner, susceptible to warping
    • Machining pushes the rotor thickness to the limit
    • Thin rotors lead to overheating, warping, vibrating, etc.
    • When the rotor thickness is different, it results in imbalance, weight shifting, shaking, and vibrating
    Reason 2: Cost and time

    • The cost to machine rotors might be greater than just replacing new rotors
    • Need to machine both rotors (a full set) to avoid imbalance
    • Machining rotors might take a couple hours at the repair shop

    Reason 3: Safety

    • Rotor weight needs to be evenly distributed or else it leads to shaking and vibrating
    • It takes as little as .001 inches difference in thickness to notice when driving and braking
    • If rotors are machined too thin, they can warp and damage brake parts
    • By machining the rotors to the maximum level, rotors will overheat, fade, and lose stopping power
    Reason 4: Not Getting Rotors Resurfaced Properly

    • Some repair shops may resurface rotors as fast as possible. This can lead to mistakes in the process or too much metal being shaved off.
    • Using worn bits to machine rotors may result in vibration
    • Rotor vibration due to trimming metal off rotors
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2021
    Cloverdale and Hopslayer like this.
  2. Jan 1, 2021 at 1:50 PM #2
    Hopslayer

    Hopslayer Full Access Member

    Posts:
    752
    Likes Received:
    258
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2018
    Location:
    Moorhead, Minnesota
    I just replaced my stock pads and rotors with slotted and drilled Power Stop ones. They work great. Look cooler too.
     
  3. Jan 1, 2021 at 3:46 PM #3
    TRCM

    TRCM Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,163
    Likes Received:
    455
    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    Location:
    Southeast VA
    On most cars, I'd agree, but on the Brembo rotors, the cost for new is way more than turning them...........
     
    Hopslayer likes this.
  4. Jan 2, 2021 at 9:07 AM #4
    Katshot

    Katshot Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    280
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2020
    Location:
    Florida
    I know that Tom's post is completely taken from the PowerStop website but I still disagree with some of it. While true in theory, there's no way you need to take things to the extent they state.
    IMO, although the answer to the question "can I machine slotted and cross-drilled rotors?" is certainly yes, the question you SHOULD be asking is "should I machine them?"
    Personally, I never machine rotors. I replace them. My reasoning is that brake rotors rely heavily on their mass to do their job properly. So it follows that machining rotors (removing mass) only has a negative affect on their performance. On some vehicles this may not be a big deal but on performance cars and/or cars used in fleets or heavy-duty applications, it certainly does.
    Brake shops used to push machining because it made them more money but nowadays they've found that machining rotors tends to cost them more due to warranty claims. Matter of fact over the years, shops have moved more toward guarding against warranty claims by replacing rotors and all hardware as well as using less aggressive friction material.
     
    70-426_10-SRT and Hopslayer like this.
  5. Jan 2, 2021 at 9:49 AM #5
    TRCM

    TRCM Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,163
    Likes Received:
    455
    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    Location:
    Southeast VA
    Plus replacing rotors makes them money not only on the labor, but on the selling the rotors themselves...............and it is faster than turning them as well.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2021 at 9:55 AM #6
    2017 Redline HC

    2017 Redline HC 2021 Durango RT

    Posts:
    1,105
    Likes Received:
    320
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    I had the power stop rotors and pads on my 2010 RT, I now have the pads in my stock callipers and rotors. I highly recommend the pads to reduce brake dust issues. They have great stopping power as well. I didn't notice any difference from the Brembo pads.
     
  7. Jan 2, 2021 at 10:15 AM #7
    TRCM

    TRCM Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,163
    Likes Received:
    455
    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    Location:
    Southeast VA
    I'm going to the powerstop rotors & pads real soon.....

    Just waiting for the dealer, as they are replacing one of my front calipers due to the powdercoating coming off, and I am gonna have them use the new parts when they do.....
     
  8. Jan 2, 2021 at 11:51 AM #8
    B5blueRT

    B5blueRT Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,129
    Likes Received:
    541
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2018
    Location:
    Broadview Hts., Ohio
    Which pads, the "clean ride"? I see they have Street Warrior, Evolution Sport and Evolution Clean Ride.
    I may swap mine out to eliminate the brake dust.
     
  9. Jan 2, 2021 at 1:25 PM #9
    Hopslayer

    Hopslayer Full Access Member

    Posts:
    752
    Likes Received:
    258
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2018
    Location:
    Moorhead, Minnesota
    I bought the Evolution. I think I paid around $350.00. Seemed fair for all new pads and rotors all around.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2021 at 6:24 PM #10
    2017 Redline HC

    2017 Redline HC 2021 Durango RT

    Posts:
    1,105
    Likes Received:
    320
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    I went with the street warrior pads.

    469DB4B0-FB28-40AA-9E90-891E72A12E24.jpeg
     
Page 1 of 3