Does anyone have a source for the minimum front & rear rotor thickness, when machining discs back to a smooth surface?

 

many rotors have the min/max stamped right on 'em. I can tell you right now, rwd Volvo rotors have very little meat on them. Not much to turn before they are too thin.

 

Thanks... : )

 

In my general experience, rotors nowdays are pretty much replace-everytime-you-replace-the-pads.

 

You speak of Volvo in general, or all in general? I've been using softer pads that produce more dust, but aren't as rough on rotors, on my Suburban. My average replacement ratio is after the 3rd set of pads, new rotors next time.

 

volvo (855 turbowagon eats rotors), toyota, my old 89 jetta, our 01 ford van. i drive a lot in the mountains as well as suburban expressways and tend to zoom, so I use my brakes a fair amount. pads and rotors last me 20-30000 miles, depending on the vehicle and how its being used.

 

↑+1. Resurfacing/turning brake rotors are no longer recommended and it may be difficult to find a skilled technician.

When replacing any brake parts, always go with the OEM components or you'll regret. The extra dough you pay for OEM parts is worth it in the long run.


JPN

 

If there is enough "meat" on them why not turn them? The pads wear them down with the same thinning effect... Sure, the manufacturers don't recommend it, I wonder why? Especially in the sclerotic US driving conditions, makes perfectly good sense to turn a quality rotor for $12 than to put a new low quality one for $50. The thickness is stamped on the rotor and as long as it is not below the minimum, it's perfectly fine! I wouldn't turn them routinely at every pad change, only in case of warpage (pulsating brake pedal).

 

as swift says, there's not much difference between new and worn to take much more than a few 1/1000ths off.