Replace or Cut Rotors:

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014.

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  1. HiccaBurp

    HiccaBurp Junior Member

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    I'm at 140,000 mi. I replaced the break pads around 120k, but did not replace/cut the front rotors. I'm in the process of replacing my wheel bearings.

    1. Should I cut the rotors for $20 a piece? Or replace?

    2. If replace, which brand? I see the wear ever brand at Advance auto parts is like $37 + tax. Beck Anley is around $72. Which brand came with the car? Or get from Toyota with discount(friend works there)
     
    #1 HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I vote for cutting.
     
    #2 usnavystgc, Mar 10, 2014
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I wouldn't do anything to the brake rotors unless you are having brake issues. With the pads having been worn 20k miles, resurfacing or replacing the rotors now may not be the best thing to do. You would have to mesh the old 20k brake pad surface to the new rotors or buy new brake pads to avoid doing this.

    But once again, if there are no braking issues, I wouldn't mess with resurfacing the rotors. They are normally done the same time as brake pad changes, not when the pad already has 20k miles on them.
     
    #3 JC91006, Mar 10, 2014
  4. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    If nothing wrong them, leave as is. If the have a lip and might be warped, I'd replace with OE Toyota discs. You will probably get another 100k plus out of them
     
    #4 Tony D, Mar 10, 2014
  5. HiccaBurp

    HiccaBurp Junior Member

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    I replaced my pads because they were at the squeal marks and my wife was getting ready to go on a road trip to Colorado. I did the pads late evening the day before she left and no places were open to cut the rotors. I didn't think replacing was needed since they looked good and felt true.

    I'm cutting them now as I think I lost some physical braking(low speed when they kick in). They just don't grab as well as they use to. Hopefully the pads will reseat themselves to the newly cut rotors. I'll let you guys know how it goes..
     
    #5 HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Be aware the minimum safe thickness for the front rotors is 19 mm ( 3/4 inch ) after machining. You must then have some extra thickness to allow for future ware.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #6 Britprius, Mar 10, 2014
  7. HiccaBurp

    HiccaBurp Junior Member

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    Thanks John! I will measure them when I get them back. The shop I use usually checks for min specs and if at/near minimum, they won't send them back out nor charge me.

    If too close for comfort, I'll have my friend at Toyota pick me up a couple new rotors.
     
    #7 HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If safety is an issue/concern, you should just buy another set of pads and install them with your new resurfaced rotors. It's $50 peace of mind.
     
    #8 JC91006, Mar 10, 2014
  9. HiccaBurp

    HiccaBurp Junior Member

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    JC,
    On our chevy 3500 vans, the rotors warp often(bad design). Number of times we've had to resurface/replace rotors with existing pads without issues. I will try the same with the Prius.. if any doubt, I'll purchase new pads. I'd have to wait till tomorrow evening if I wanted new pads now.

    Thank you!
     
    #9 HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I believe John (Britprius) did the same, just resurfaced the rotors using the old pads. I don't think he had any issues with it. But like you mentioned, they have to reseat properly for the most effective braking.
     
    #10 JC91006, Mar 10, 2014
  11. Priusyipee

    Priusyipee Active Member

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    Replaced front pads and rotors on my 2005 Prius in 2010. ALL Advance Auto replacements (not cheap) using ceramic pads. Needless to say, 3.5 years later, the metal on the contact surface of the rotor began flaking off in chunks! Yes, you read that right! It seems as though the rotor is fabricated with bonded metals. When the rotors were removed, the outer metal contact surface could be peeled away exposing a smooth but rusted core. NEVER again, using aftermarket parts on ANY of my Toyotas! Lucky for me, both the rotors and pads had a lifetime warranty against wear and I received a 100% refund from Advance. Replaced everything with OEM pads and the ORIGINAL rotors that I had resurfaced and stored away back in 2010!!
     
    #11 Priusyipee, Mar 10, 2014
  12. HiccaBurp

    HiccaBurp Junior Member

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    Wheel bearings in and noise gone :) Rotors resurfaced and still well over minimum thickness(.835 in). Took it out for a test ride and the breaks feel much better now. I will keep my senses open for any funny breaking issues. Should be GTG!

    Priusyippe.. glad you kept the old rotors! If they still have enough meat on them.. see no issue. And that was my concern with buying APP/AZ/O'Rilleys.. the cheap stuff they have, well.. it's cheap! And the more expensive/special order is as much as factory so why bother.
     
    #12 HiccaBurp, Mar 10, 2014
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  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Here's to hoping you don't have any breaking issues, because that would be bad. ;)

    SCH-I535
     
    #13 xliderider, Mar 11, 2014
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    breaking Brakes.
     
    #14 JC91006, Mar 11, 2014
  15. unterhausen

    unterhausen Junior Member

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    my lathe was used for many years to cut/grind rotors. Poor thing. The time I saw the auto parts guy cut them on one of the specialty lathes, he took an extra heavy cut. Seemed like a waste.

    I haven't had reason to think about replacing the rotors, but I guess if I get it back on the road after the transaxle I should start thinking about replacing everything
     
    #15 unterhausen, Mar 11, 2014
  16. Gorilla97

    Gorilla97 Junior Member

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    I think my front driver side wheel bearing is going out. Did you replace yourself? If so how difficult was it to do?
     
    #16 Gorilla97, Mar 12, 2014
  17. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    I'm a little late to this discussion but........
    You should do neither unless there is some definite indication that there is a problem
    with the present rotors.

    That said, I'm not a big fan of turning rotors.
    I've had it done a few times over the years and it seems like it is only a temporary fix.

    So if there IS a problem indicated, I vote for replacement.
     
    #17 Easy Rider, Mar 12, 2014
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Why do you prefer replacement over resurfacing? Also how is replacement a more permanent fix vs resurfacing a temporary one?
     
    #18 JC91006, Mar 12, 2014
  19. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    Because of experience.

    Most of the time, I have turned rotors because of un-even stopping; a pulsating pedal or jerky feel.
    I think by the time that happens, the base metal of the rotor is damaged and a new surface only lasts a few thousand miles.......if that.

    IF the only problem was some uneven scratches because you let the pads go too long.......then maybe turn them.

    But in every case, new rotors should last longer than turned ones.
    Overall I think it is a waste of money, especially is you are paying someone else the labor charges.
     
    #19 Easy Rider, Mar 12, 2014
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There was another thread just the other day, someone had replaced their rotors and it didn't quite perform as good as the original OEM rotors that were replaced. Luckily they still had the original OEM rotors, resurfaced the original OEM ones and put them back on the car, they seemed much better than the new replacements.

    In my personal experience, I didn't find any difference after resurfacing a rotor. They performed like a new rotor. If there was very little cost difference between new and resurfacing, I would go new. If the replacements were very expensive, then I would resurface to save money.
     
    #20 JC91006, Mar 12, 2014
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