Brake repair thread - turning drums and rotors?
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Brake repair thread - turning drums and rotors?



I think if the original questioner will read his manual again, he will
discover that the prohibition is to not turn the rotor IF it is below the
specified minimum thickness  (or in the case of drum brakes, over the
specified maximum diameter) already.

Somewhat off the point, but I strongly recommend that old car folks DO NOT
turn their drums or rotors unless there is an ABSOLUTE necessity to do so.
A minor score or groove will indeed some uneven braking and can cause rapid
wear on the pads or linings until the new material conforms to the distorted
drum or rotor, but once this break-in period is over, the brakes will feel
and work just fine, and you've saved one of your car's precious (assuming no
longer available) parts for another 50,000 Miles!  Brake shops ALWAYS advise
you to turn you drums or rotors, because it adds to their profit, and also
makes for a satisfied customer because the brakes feel like new from the
first mile - but the cost in unnecessarily ruined drums and rotors is very
high!

There is a minimum thickness for safe operation, turning them below that
specific thickness risks brake failure due to fade and perhaps warping.  The
minimum safe thickness will be in the FSM, and is usually cast into the
rotor/drum somewhere to warn the brake shop.  No professional brake shop
will turn a drum or rotor below that minimum, lest he open himself up to a
monstrous liability/lawsuit, and, at least in CA, lose his garage keeper's
license.  .

Dick Benjamin  (who had one of those until retirement)
----- Original Message -----
From: <mopar2@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 11:21 PM
Subject: Re: IML: '67 Imperial Parts Needed


> I've mentioned that statement about not being able to turn the rotors to
some that
> know more then I about disk brakes & all have said this is unrealistic.
They may need
> to be relined sooner, but if they need to be turned to go ahead.
> John
>
> ceesinfielda@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > Mark,
> > If you find a source for new rotors, I'd appreciate
> > knowing who and where.  I need a pair for my 69 Imp
> > and just can't seem to find any.  To make matters worse
> > the shop manual says they are not to be turned--just
> > replaced.
> > Thanks,
> > Jim Truesdale
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I am in need of a RF fender, hood, grille w/headlamp assembly (need RF
side) and
> > > rotors. If anyone has any of these items they'd be willing to part
with at a
> > > reasonable price, please let me know.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Mark Harris
> > > New Orleans
> > >
> > >
> > > -----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
> > > This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
> > > reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
> > > shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
> > > Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
> > >
> >


Home Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network


Copyright © The Forward Look Network. All rights reserved.

Opinions expressed in posts reflect the views of their respective authors.
This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.