Turning vs New Front Rotors

BigMau

BigMau

Well-Known Member
Just got the rear brakes done on my 2009 Tacoma. The next project is to service the front brakes. You hear lots of advise to "machine" or replace the factory rotors?? Any advise concerning the Tacoma?? I was able to turn my rotors on my 2002 Tundra SR5 without issues. The front brakes look like the same design as the Tundra???

I have Wagner (SX976) pads, pins & hardware on order from RockAuto. Any tips with the rotors??
http://www.wagnerbrake.com/find-my-...=2009~Toyota~Tacoma&values=2009~Toyota~Tacoma
 
If they are not pulsating when you apply the brakes, I would just put the new pads and hardware in. Make sure you lube the pins and slide surfaces with silicone grease.

The correct technical approach is to use a dial indicator to determine runout and see if it exceeds the specs in the service manual. Most people don't bother. Most people fall into two camps, always service the rotors or only if the brakes puslate. As for how t service them, it depends on if the runout exceeds the amount of metal available to cut off. No major chain shop is going to cut your rotors below minimum. Also, some rotors are so cheap it's easier to just replace them. Also, some rotors are made at minimum, so you can't cut them.

I've put brand new rotors on my car when the old ones were warped and the new ones warped in a couple of weeks. Some braking systems are just too small and the rotors get overheated and warp no mater what you do. I've had other cars that I pissed on the brakes constantly and the rotors never warped, I went through several sets of pads on the original rotors and no pulsing.

If you brakes work fine other than the friction material being worn out, I would just clean the slide surfaces, lube all bearing surfaces with brake grease, and put the new pads on. Use anti-squeal on the back of the pads too. Put it on the night before so it is good and dry before you do the job the next day. Many pads come with a little tube of it and it is mandatory IMO.

Cutting rotors is acceptable within the thickness limits of the rotor. But, they charge you money for it and you have to wait around while it gets done or you have to take two trips to do the job AND the truck is out of service. With new rotors, you are done with the whole job in one shot and can get back to the rest of your life and your tuck isn't on stands in your driveway for the whole weekend. There were times where I just bought new rotors @ $20.00 a piece instead of paying $10.00 each to get them cut.

If your rotors are gouged by rivets or backing material, just throw them out as the damage will be too deep to cut out.
 
I was thinking the same thing WiskyT.

I have seen youtube videos that just replace the pads and hardware. However, I see some that also include a rotor replacement?? Anytime a local shop replaced front brakes on my Tundra... they turned or replaced the rotors?? It looks like the Tundra/Tacoma have the same front brake design?
 
BigMau said:
I was thinking the same thing WiskyT.

I have seen youtube videos that just replace the pads and hardware. However, I see some that also include a rotor replacement?? Anytime a local shop replaced front brakes on my Tundra... they turned or replaced the rotors?? It looks like the Tundra/Tacoma have the same front brake design?
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Yeah, shops replace or turn rotors always because A) they are charging you an arm and a leg so cost isn't an issue for THEM and B) it pretty much guarantees that everything will be perfect and there will be no complaints from the customer and then do-overs by the shop. They just charge you $200.00 and replace everything and off you go happy and poor.

Guys like us, we look at a brake job as a $50.00 thing and an hour or two in the driveway on a Sunday. If your rotors aren't gouged up but they are warped and you slap pads in there, you might get some pulsation in the pedal. Worst case scenario, you THEN cut or replace he rotors but you have to spend another hour or so in your driveway. For most of us, that is not a big deal, we just do the job again and it's a pretty small job at that.

It's not a matter of what kind of system you have, it's more a matter of process. You could spend the money and replace everything and pretty much be guaranteed it will be right the first time. But, with that logic, you could just by a whole new truck. Most shade tree mechanics just change the pads. Most shops change the rotors because they aren't spending THEIR money.
 
Try over 300 bucks (Subaru dealer quote) :(

Just did my wife's 2012 Subaru Outback rear disc brakes. Less than half that with new pads, rotors and hardware.
 
BigMau said:
Try over 300 bucks (Subaru dealer quote) :(

Just did my wife's 2012 Subaru Outback rear disc brakes. Less than half that with new pads, rotors and hardware.
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Some of the 4wd front brakes are a real bitch requiring special tools etc to R and R the rotors. I don't know how they do it these days, but back before they even made a Wrangler, the Jeep front rotors were a real PITA. You basically had to be a watch maker to do them and shops really made you bleed for it.
 
After you've replaced the rotors once, they are easier to replace if you have to do them again. First time is a b***ch.
 
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