My front rotors are warped. Really notice the shake when I apply brakes at freeway speeds. However, my pads have about 70% left. Can I get the rotors turned and put on the old pads? Don't want to spend $80 if I don't have too.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

machine them.

 

yes you can as long as you properly re-bed them to the machined/turned rotors.

 

If the brake rotor is warped then the friction material on the pad is as well.

 

But won't the old pads eventually flatten out? They are softer than the rotors.

 

they will wear the rotors with the same warp. replace it all

 

you can but y

 

Though the rotors didn't seem to be warped when I took them to the brake shop, I had them turn them anyway. Sanded the pads lightly with coarse sand paper. Re-installed and took the car for a drive to re-seat the pads. Then drove on the fwy and slowed down from 70mph. No shuddering! A $20 solution. All good.

 

Yes, a $20 solution, and a good one for a short term fix. Unfortunately, the inevitable question always remains, will it turn out to be such a good bargain in the long run. Will you get the full potential life out of the remaining pads and rotors, or will problems eventually resurface? Whether or not you pay someone to work on your brakes or DIY, there IS a cost for both the parts as well as the effort (assuming you value your own time). IMHO, when you factor that into the long term value equation, it is almost never a wise choice to go cheap on your brake job.

 

I understand your view on brake jobs. As a DIYer it took me about an hour total (remove and re-install), plus waiting an hour for the rotors. I would usually replace the pads but in this case there was a lot left so I took the chance. If I have to redo in 10k no biggie.

thanks for your response.

 

pads are cheap (assuming you're not rocking high end racing pads or something), so you're better off turning the rotors and replacing pads for better, longer life.

Good luck.

bryman

 

Pads don't "warp". Your pads are fine. However, when your rotors warp, they get hot spots and will eventually warp again after turning. A good $20 fix.

I love arm chair quarterbacks.