[roninsoldier83]

Alright, so I've done a bit of searching, and heard debate from both sides about resurfacing rotors, turning rotors, or just replacing the pads and calling it a day. A little insight, the car is at about 27,xxx miles, and I started to hear a little squeaking not too long ago, so I'm about to put in a new set of pads. I have considered taking it to a dealer and seeing if anything should be replaced under warranty, however, I am not a big fan of just replacing things on my car... as when it's time to replace things, I usually like to use that as an excuse to upgrade.

I'm still making up my mind as to if I'll be running Ferodo DS2500 pads or Hawk HPS pads, as the car will see very very little track time (maybe 1 track day a year or so, if that). At the same time I was going to swap in some Goodridge lines & swap over to Motul fluid.

My question is, at this time, when I swap pads, should I resurface my rotors? Or turn them? Leave them alone? I haven't actually pulled my wheels and inspected them as of yet, but assume normal wear, as I don't push them very often. Please let me know what your opinion is. Thank you!!

-Brandon

[upncummr]

Simple answer - it depends.

1. Best (not most inexpensive) solution is to either install new rotors with your pads or have the existing rotors machined/turned. However, it isn't likely that this is necessary.
2. Practical solution is to pull each rotor and inspect the front/back sides for cracks, grooves or any other signs of damage. Also get a micrometer and take some measurements around the rotor and make sure you're not too close to the minimum thicknesses stamped into the rotors. If you spot any significant grooving, have the rotors machined/turned. If you spot any significant cracks or damage, replace the rotors.

Just my opinion.

Gary

[1loudsti]

Originally Posted by upncummr

Simple answer - it depends.

1. Best (not most inexpensive) solution is to either install new rotors with your pads or have the existing rotors machined/turned. However, it isn't likely that this is necessary.
2. Practical solution is to pull each rotor and inspect the front/back sides for cracks, grooves or any other signs of damage. Also get a micrometer and take some measurements around the rotor and make sure you're not too close to the minimum thicknesses stamped into the rotors. If you spot any significant grooving, have the rotors machined/turned. If you spot any significant cracks or damage, replace the rotors.

Just my opinion.

Gary

+1 well said....i would recommend swapping rotors too but thats just me

[roninsoldier83]

Originally Posted by upncummr

Simple answer - it depends.

1. Best (not most inexpensive) solution is to either install new rotors with your pads or have the existing rotors machined/turned. However, it isn't likely that this is necessary.
2. Practical solution is to pull each rotor and inspect the front/back sides for cracks, grooves or any other signs of damage. Also get a micrometer and take some measurements around the rotor and make sure you're not too close to the minimum thicknesses stamped into the rotors. If you spot any significant grooving, have the rotors machined/turned. If you spot any significant cracks or damage, replace the rotors.

Just my opinion.

Gary

Duly noted, I've considered just replacing the rotors while I'm in there, but also know that jacks up the costs significantly. Considerably more cost effective to have the rotors turned/machined. Although I've heard a few negative things about machining rotors, about seriously decreasing their life & overall performance.

What is your general consensus on machining/resurfacing rotors?

[upncummr]

Originally Posted by roninsoldier83

Duly noted, I've considered just replacing the rotors while I'm in there, but also know that jacks up the costs significantly. Considerably more cost effective to have the rotors turned/machined. Although I've heard a few negative things about machining rotors, about seriously decreasing their life & overall performance.

What is your general consensus on machining/resurfacing rotors?

Machining rotors is fine in my opinion.

I guess you need to weigh the cost to resurface the rotors with the cost to purchase new rotors. Plus you need to look at how much useful life will be left in the resurfaced rotors versus the new rotors.

I've had my rotors resurfaced by my Subaru dealer and not had problems. I don't believe I've ever had a rotor machined more than once.

Gary

[1loudsti]

Originally Posted by roninsoldier83

Duly noted, I've considered just replacing the rotors while I'm in there, but also know that jacks up the costs significantly. Considerably more cost effective to have the rotors turned/machined. Although I've heard a few negative things about machining rotors, about seriously decreasing their life & overall performance.

What is your general consensus on machining/resurfacing rotors?

its been my experience that the first 50 percent of the rotor lasts a while...the last 50 doesnt because the effects of heat etc eat the rotor quicker

ive found that turned rotors dont tend to perform as well as new rotors that are bedded in correctly....you say you dont track the car often so that little bit of a performance advantage may not mean much to you....its not like the brakes arent going to work....they just dont seem to have the same intial bite that new rotors have (a quality i find very important...intial bite is more important to me than a high temperature rating....its also the quality you will notice most on the street...you hit the brakes and they are grabbing like right now instead of a split second later) in the end its your call but i wouldnt do it on my car....look into brake upgrade packages, you can get a decent deal on pads rotors lines and fluid

[roninsoldier83]

Originally Posted by 1loudsti

its been my experience that the first 50 percent of the rotor lasts a while...the last 50 doesnt because the effects of heat etc eat the rotor quicker

ive found that turned rotors dont tend to perform as well as new rotors that are bedded in correctly....you say you dont track the car often so that little bit of a performance advantage may not mean much to you....its not like the brakes arent going to work....they just dont seem to have the same intial bite that new rotors have (a quality i find very important...intial bite is more important to me than a high temperature rating....its also the quality you will notice most on the street...you hit the brakes and they are grabbing like right now instead of a split second later) in the end its your call but i wouldnt do it on my car....look into brake upgrade packages, you can get a decent deal on pads rotors lines and fluid

It's funny you should mention looking into package deals, as that's exactly what I was just doing. Making me consider getting new rotors, as CVR has some AWESOME deals I found over here:
CVR Motorsports - Subaru :: WRX STI :: 2006-2007 :: Brakes :: Brake Packages :: Stage III Brake Package

^^^$679.00 shipped for 4 power slot rotors, Hawk HPS pads, Goodridge lines & 2 bottles of Motul fluid. At that price, the rotors are VERY tempting.

Also have this set using just OEM spec blank rotors & HPS pads for only $499.00:
CVR Motorsports - Subaru :: WRX STI :: 2004-2005 :: Brakes :: Brake Packages :: OE Spec Front & Rear Rotors w/ Hawk HPS Brake Pads

At those prices, I think picking up new rotors is probably the route I'll be taking, as they're considerably less expensive when buying as a package. I guess now it will be more or less a debate between slotted vs blanks, which is probably a topic for another thread.