How often should brake discs be replaced?
Brake discs work in conjunction with brake pads to ensure your vehicle stops when you press the pedal. Many people are accustomed to replacing their brake pads frequently, but most don’t realize that brake discs also need to be replaced regularly. So what are the signs that it’s time to replace your brake rotors?
Check out these 4 signs that your brake rotors are worn out and need to be replaced or realigned. We will also discuss how often and how much it costs to replace your brake rotors. Let’s take a quick look at the signs to look out for:
Signs that it’s time to replace your brake discs
The main signs that it’s time to replace your brake discs are:
1) Vibration when braking
2) Loud braking noise
3) Cracked windows
4) Damage/grooves
Here is a detailed list of signs to look for when determining if it’s time to replace your brake rotors:
1. Vibration when braking
When brake pads or discs are damaged, you will often feel a vibration in the brake pedal. In severe cases, the vibration can also be felt in the steering wheel.
Most often, this vibration comes from brake pad material building up on the surface of the disc, forming raised areas. In some cases, this occurs when the braking system overheats due to excessive use. As deposits build up, you may also experience increased pedal feedback.
2. Loud Brake Noise
When brake pads start to deteriorate, you’ll start to hear squealing or squealing. If you don’t replace the pads promptly, you may experience metal-on-metal rubbing when braking. This loud noise can also occur if the brake parts are badly corroded and the gaps between them change. In severe cases, the brakes may even drag. In this case, you should stop driving your car immediately until the brakes are repaired.
Modern brake pads have metal wear sensors. When the brake pads wear out, this material rubs against the brake disc and sounds an audible warning so that you can take action. Replacing worn brake pads in a timely manner can prevent brake disc wear.
3. Cracks (Brake Disc Damage)
When a disc is exposed to excessive heat, it can develop cracks on its surface. There are different types of cracks, but they are all caused by compression or expansion.
Small cracks may seem worrisome, but they can often be repaired by resurfacing. Hairline cracks most commonly occur when brakes are used at high temperatures, e.g. A. in racing.
However, if a rotor develops a crack that propagates to the edge, it should be replaced immediately. There is no solution for this type of rotor damage.
4. Damage/Grooves
Over time, the rotor surface can become grooved or damaged. This is caused by dirty or worn parts rubbing against the brake disc.
When the metal backing plate of a worn brake pad comes into contact with the brake disc, it can cause damage. In addition, corrosion and rust can leave grooves on the surface.
If you think your brake disc is warped, you should check it again. In fact, brake discs rarely become warped. Instead, you’ll notice surface irregularities.
How often should brake discs be replaced?Brake rotors should be replaced approximately every 70,000 miles, depending on your vehicle model and driving style. The only proper way to determine if your brake rotors need replacing is to visually inspect them.
This is a much longer lifespan than brake pads, which are often replaced every 40,000-50,000 miles. Traditional steel brake discs have the shortest lifespan, while carbon ceramic brake discs can last the entire lifespan of the vehicle, but are much more expensive.
The condition of your brake discs will vary depending on your driving style, the weight of your vehicle, and the quality of the parts you choose. Always check the discs for wear when removing the brake pads. Renew or replace if necessary.
Brake disc replacement cost
Replacing a brake rotor will cost around $350-$500 per rotor. This price includes about $200-400 for the rotors and $150 for labor. If you can replace your brake rotors yourself in a home workshop, you can save on labor costs.
The good news is that you don’t usually have to replace brake rotors every time you change your brake pads; they don’t usually wear out as much as brake pads.
If there’s enough material left from your brake rotors, you might be able to recoat them instead. The cost of remanufacturing a brake disc is much lower than the cost of replacing it. A qualified workshop can turn or cut the brake disc to prepare a new surface suitable for working. The workshop will put the disc on a lathe and remove a thin layer of material until it is smooth and corrosion-free again.
A brake rotor rebuild usually costs between $10 and $15, making this option much more affordable. However, you will have to pay for the removal and reinstallation of the window if you can’t do it yourself. In addition, it is never advisable to recoat brake discs if the material has become too thin.
