lexus4mk25 Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 I just got the rotors on the rear weels resurfaced and brake pads changed. This morning I happened to look at the rotors and I was surprised to see sratches on the rotors consistent with a circular motion. I've never seen circular sracthes on a rotor (the same look you get when buffing a car) Is this one kind of resurfacing? I always assumed that resurfacing is done by removing the surface material with a lathe as the roto is turned on its axis. hmmmmm any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Ask the guy who did it basically it is supposed to move the rotors throught a metal lathe that smoothes out the finish to a flat one but leaves deep grooves it should look like a record when done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agnt Tinkles Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 After they use the metal lathe as mentioned by skperformance, they go back and use a circular sander to go over it again. i dont know if all mechanics do this.. but the one i goto does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviej Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 brake resurfacing is done today by one of two methods. The traditional lathe type is widely used. Kinda like old faithful. Brake sanding is gaining use. From what I have heard the sanding takes off less material than the lathe. I think the idea is because most rotors nowadays are not as thick as they used to be. Hence the almost disposable concept. We have become a disposable society and most people will opt to "replace with new" rather than resurface. the swirls will go away with normal brake pad pressure. steviej Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 There is a method of turning the rotors while they are still on the auto [ rather than turning them off the vehichle ] that produces a truer balance and they finish with circular finish when pads are replaced as to wear the new pads to the like new rotors instead of to the new grooves produced by old fashioned lathe work . I had mine done at a toyota dealer 20,000 mi. ago and still true to balance . Only my opinion as the best way to go . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 There is a method of turning the rotors while they are still on the auto [ rather than turning them off the vehichle ] that produces a truer balance and they finish with circular finish when pads are replaced as to wear the new pads to the like new rotors instead of to the new grooves produced by old fashioned lathe work . I had mine done at a toyota dealer 20,000 mi. ago and still true to balance . Only my opinion as the best way to go . This is not true. On and off either method will work. It will depend on your tech, if he didn't position your rotor true to the center then your rotor will have an event cut. When you turn the rotors you supposed to measure the runouts, I hardly see anyone do this anyone. The best brake lathe outthere is the hunter unit. I used to buff the rotors when I finished it them, I found this method useless and stop doing it. JPI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 :whistles: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 JPI , Contact Mike Ahlers at carlson toyota in mn. 763-427-3200 ,Top Tech in the midwest ask him and you will get the correct answer . HE IS THE ONLY TECH THAT I WILL EVER TOUCH MY 98 GS300 and it runs like new............................................................Learn from the best and let it soak in. This tech is a teacher for what toyota city builds. wow that was awfully condesending JPI is here to help your buddy isn't you don't have to belive him that is up to you but you also don't know him either but i wouldn;t take someones word just because they say "i know this" as there are different procedures for different cars and situations you only see it as a narrow affect band of treatment not the whole reaonsing behind the final decsion a techintion has to look at the overall situation I also see no need for cutting a rotor on a car ,it is a waste of time just pull the damn thing off and replace them, that is the best way as cut rotors always have a tendency to warp much faster as they are unequal thickness per side always which is why they were cut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 No hard feelings JPI as you are a = like the rest of us ! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I agree , when in doubt a new rotor is best , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfish Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 SK , you are right as every situation is different . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VGR Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I also see no need for cutting a rotor on a car ,it is a waste of timejust pull the damn thing off and replace them, that is the best way as cut rotors always have a tendency to warp much faster as they are unequal thickness per side always which is why they were cut An even better strategy is to always use Toyota/Lexus pads at replaceent time, break then in gently and avoid ever using the brakes abusively. Then the rotors never warp and never have to be turned or replaced unless they wear beyond the factory spec for minimum allowable thickness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I don't need to call anyone to prove my points. Just for heck of it, I have a brake job on a RX300. I did one rotor on car and the other off car. Check the runouts and it's the same. There is no words in the book saying on car will provide a better cut. I based on my facts and experience. Just for the record, I've been with Lexus for 7 years, still holding my ASE master and Lexus master. I don't know everything but I know quite a bit about the lexus vehicles. We are here to help each out. ;) JPI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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