Resurface or replace Rotors?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by chillwill120, Apr 17, 2021.

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  1. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Back when I had an old Ford, the fun thing about the Ford factory manuals was how full of down-to-earth advice they were. They suggested never putting rotors on a lathe if a hand going-over with 150 grit wetordry sandpaper was all they needed.
     
    #21 ChapmanF, Apr 18, 2021
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  2. chillwill120

    chillwill120 Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone, for the really helpful input! Since my car is almost 11 years old and just surpassed 100,000 miles, I'm just looking to make sure I'm doing everything I need to do to make it last as long as possible. For example I just got new tires. Even though the tread on my old tires wasn't particularly worn, they were the tires that were on the car when I purchased it and were nearly 7 years old with probably around 50,000 miles on them (and one of them is mismatched). I figured, for safety reasons, I'd treat my car to some brand new matching tires and chose a set that was very highly rated by consumer reports. At the next oil change I'm also looking to replace the engine/inverter coolant as per the Toyota maintenance schedule. Any other advice on what to do would be appreciated. I've browsed the forums and saw a lot of talk about cleaning the EGR, so that's something i'll look into also, but not sure it's a service that the dealer handles.
     
    #22 chillwill120, Apr 18, 2021
  3. chillwill120

    chillwill120 Junior Member

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    I'll also add that I've replaced the engine air filter and cabin air filters myself, and also tried (with some success I think) to clean out the throttle body. I've also replaced the front passenger headlight which seems to go out every few months. Basically when the dealer says I should get something done, if it's really simple and doesn't require a lot of tools or jacking up the car, I try to watch youtube videos and handle it myself instead of spending $100s of dollars.
     
    #23 chillwill120, Apr 18, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota USA says to delay inverter coolant change to 150k miles (or 15 year). Yeah I know, but read the fine print in the subscripts, it’s there. FWIW Toyota Canada says both at 100k miles (160k kms) or 10?years.

    look on your inverter reservoir; there might be a sticker saying to not change till 150k miles. Mine has it, even in Canada lol.
    You got that right. More info on DIY:

    Bad Flywheel | PriusChat
     
    #24 Mendel Leisk, Apr 18, 2021
  5. chillwill120

    chillwill120 Junior Member

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    Ah, thanks. In that case I'll hold off for a while and get that done in a couple years when I get the spark plugs replaced.
     
    #25 chillwill120, Apr 18, 2021
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Now’s an excellent time to deal with the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (and intake manifold) though.
     
    #26 Mendel Leisk, Apr 18, 2021
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    MY advice is to not do anything with the rotors unless and until a shop can PROVE to you that something is needed.
    A really LOT of perfectly good rotors are "turned" or replaced every year.
     
    #27 sam spade 2, Apr 18, 2021
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  8. chillwill120

    chillwill120 Junior Member

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    I'd like to take care of that now, but I just don't have the tools, the space, the knowledge or the confidence to take on a job that complicated. If anyone knows of a competent mechanic in the New York City or New Jersey area that can handle this, please let me know!
     
    #28 chillwill120, Apr 20, 2021
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  9. chillwill120

    chillwill120 Junior Member

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    Update on this. So today I got my oil changed at the dealership. Even though my brakes were yellow at the last oil change, now they say I need new pads and rotors for the front brakes. I was quoted $650 and then after I complained it was reduced to $575. Seems like a huge rip off. Another place (not toyota) quoted me $290 for pads and rotors, plus $80 for a brake flush, but I do prefer to do things OEM. Any opinions?
     
    #29 chillwill120, Jul 17, 2021
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Ask the independents for a quote using oem parts. About $350 for both front and rear pads and rotors.

    https://trdshop.carlocktoyotaoftupelo.com/oem-parts/toyota-disc-brake-rotor-front-4351242040?c=Zz1icmFrZXMmcz1mcm9udC1icmFrZXMmbD00Jm49QXNzZW1ibGllcyBQYWdlJmE9dG95b3RhJm89cHJpdXMtdiZ5PTIwMTImdD10aHJlZSZlPTEtOGwtbDQtZWxlY3RyaWMtZ2Fz

    https://trdshop.carlocktoyotaoftupelo.com/oem-parts/toyota-brake-pads-0446542200?c=Zz1icmFrZXMmcz1mcm9udC1icmFrZXMmbD0xMCZuPUFzc2VtYmxpZXMgUGFnZSZhPXRveW90YSZvPXByaXVzLXYmeT0yMDEyJnQ9dGhyZWUmZT0xLThsLWw0LWVsZWN0cmljLWdhcw%3D%3D

    https://trdshop.carlocktoyotaoftupelo.com/oem-parts/toyota-disc-brake-rotor-rear-4243147080?c=Zz1icmFrZXMmcz1yZWFyLWJyYWtlcyZsPTI2Jm49QXNzZW1ibGllcyBQYWdlJmE9dG95b3RhJm89cHJpdXMtdiZ5PTIwMTImdD10aHJlZSZlPTEtOGwtbDQtZWxlY3RyaWMtZ2Fz

    https://trdshop.carlocktoyotaoftupelo.com/oem-parts/toyota-brake-pads-0446647051?c=Zz1icmFrZXMmcz1yZWFyLWJyYWtlcyZsPTIxJm49QXNzZW1ibGllcyBQYWdlJmE9dG95b3RhJm89cHJpdXMtdiZ5PTIwMTImdD10aHJlZSZlPTEtOGwtbDQtZWxlY3RyaWMtZ2Fz
     
    #30 rjparker, Jul 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2021
  11. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    and those rotors that get turned are slapped into a really crappy quality/worn out light duty lathe by a $10/he employee that walks away from it...

    most people could do better with some emery cloth
     
    #31 privilege, Jul 18, 2021
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    AND most people don't really NEED anything done to their rotors at the first pad change.

    Before you pay anything for rotors or turning, ask them WHY.......and then go look at the why.
    That rust on the non-contact surfaces is NOT a reason.
    That tiny little ridge on the outside edge isn't either.
     
    #32 sam spade 2, Jul 18, 2021
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  13. tony_2018

    tony_2018 Member

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    The cost of resurfacing a rotor vs a new rotor = go buy a new one.

    Just make sure you bed the brakes properly and they'll last.
     
    #33 tony_2018, Jul 18, 2021
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The costs do come out very similar when you're looking at third-party rotors.

    If you're price-comparing to Toyota rotors, resurfacing can still have some appeal.
     
    #34 ChapmanF, Jul 18, 2021
  15. tony_2018

    tony_2018 Member

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    Yeah, If I had a good experience with someone resurfacing rotors it might be worth it to buy oem and keep them going.
     
    #35 tony_2018, Jul 18, 2021
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If existing rotors are in good shape and within specs, the cost can be zero. Probably a better option for the DIY’r; pros take a more “better safe than sorry” approach, often just replace, but it does make for a LOT of scrap metal.
     
    #36 Mendel Leisk, Jul 18, 2021
  17. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    New Jersey is in the rust belt. It fairly common to see rotors with 30 - 50 percent of the swept area turned to complete rust by the time it's due for pads. Also have to beat the pads out of the caliper brackets with a hammer.
    "Premium" aftermarket rotors work fairly well and are cost effective.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #37 mr_guy_mann, Jul 18, 2021
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  18. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    ahhhhh, the old "bedding brakes" myth had surfaced again.

    it's always fun to read replies that mention "bedding brakes" , comical , but fun.
     
    #38 privilege, Jul 19, 2021
  19. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Personal, I is been able to keep my passion for brakes under control.
     
    #39 ChapmanF, Jul 19, 2021
  20. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Toyota rotors run about $60 each, or $240 for the whole car.
    My understanding is you measure the rotors for thickness and replace if they are less than minimum thickness. Toyota doesn’t mention turning the rotor.

    The proper way to measure is to use a runout tool, which also measures warpage. But you can also use an inexpensive micrometer to measure thickness in several places.
     
    #40 Rebound, Jul 20, 2021
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