Because of constant use, wear and tear, any vehicle will develop problems at some point. Repairs are a part of vehicle ownership and should be taken as a given when buying any vehicle. One of the parts that often break down and will need replacement is the brake rotor. There are four brake rotors on each wheel. Brakes are very important because it allows you to drive safely. Faulty brakes can lead to accidents. To ensure that you are safe when driving, the brake rotors need to be inspected every six to nine months.
If you want to inspect and replace the brake rotors by yourself, you can follow these tips:
Remove the tires
The brake rotors can’t be seen unless the wheels are removed. One way to do this is by removing the tires one by one, by jacking up the side of the car where you will remove the tire. Another way would be to go to a shop and have the whole car lifted so all of the tires can be removed at once.
The brake rotors have two types
Brake rotors come in two types and you should be familiar what kind of brake rotor you have. One type is made from a solid piece of cast iron. This type is usually found in old model vehicles. The second, newer, type is composed of two parts – a cast iron part that has been welded to a top hat that is made from stainless steel.
Check the rotors
There are a few things that you should look out for when inspecting the rotors. One of these is corrosion. This is a very common problem because the rotor is made from metal and will often be exposed to moisture and water. You can suspect corrosion in the rotors if you feel a constant vibration when driving your vehicle. Corrosion can be seen visually. The next thing you should look out for are chips and cracks. This is done by feel using your fingers. Touch the inside of the rotor and feel for cracks or grooves. A rotor should feel smooth. If you feel a crack or a groove then it is a problem that needs to be fixed. Fortunately, oftentimes the solution is as simple as removing the rotor and having the rotor smoothed out at the machine shop. Aside from the rotor, you should also feel the discs between it. Spin the discs and feel for cracks or grooves on both sides. If you feel any then you will need to have it machined as well.
Replace the rotors completely if machine work will not suffice in repairing the problems you’ve seen. Replacing rotors need a lot of work and a level of technical expertise so have a mechanic do it for you.