Question About Brake Rotors

"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
11/08/2014 at 12:33 • Filed to: None

So while I was driving up here to Oregon, I noticed my Accord's steering wheel would shake under braking. I of course did my research and I now know it is because the brake rotors are worn and I need to get them replaced.

Given I'm a broke college student, there's no way I can afford a repair. Is a repair like this important, or can it sit for a while before I do something about it?

DISCUSSION (11)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 12:38

Provided that they're not worn through and there is still some pad material left you should be fine for a while. It's more annoying than anything else.

Racescort666 > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 12:38

How long is a while? Honestly, vibration by itself is more of a nuisance than an actual problem however, if your brakes are truly worn, they should be replaced soon.

Brake jobs are expensive if you have a shop do them but on a common car (like an Accord) parts are relatively cheap and you should be able to do them for around $100/axle if replacing both pads and rotors.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 12:41

It could also mean the rotors are warped, my dad had that happen to his a couple years ago. We spent a weekend fixing it up, and it rode like new again.

TheHondaBro > Racescort666
11/08/2014 at 12:42

If I can clarify, I only notice it when I'm braking at high speeds, like on a freeway. Doing normal city driving, I don't notice it.

wabbalosthiskey > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 12:43

It's not really so much that they are worn, the rotors are either old and fatigued or cheap replacements; they are warped. As long as your pads aren't worn and that really has nothing to do with it, it will be OK. As it gets worse and becomes more of a violent shake rather than an annoying vibration, it starts to become pretty hard on the parts down there, but you'll be fine to hold out for awhile.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 13:11

You might be able to get away with just getting the rotors resurfaced by a shade tree mechanic for not much money. Most corporate shops will tell you that the rotors are too far gone even if they aren't. I'd try the former sooner rather than later. If that doesn't work, I'd just ride it out until it becomes unbearable or the pads start to go, but keeping in mind that youwill absolutely need new rotors at that point.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 13:12

Try checking your wheel balance then. If it's a problem with the rotors, you would feel it at low speed too, just at a slower rate.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 13:50

x2 on it being the wheel balance. You can just look at your wheels and see if there's any little sticky squares missing their weight.

Klaus Schmoll > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 14:05

Had that happen with several vehicles (Mazda 626, BMW E39, etc.) it's more annoying than a real safety issue. If the discs aren't worn too bad, they can be machined to be straight again. Much cheaper than replacing them.

hike > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 15:28

It depends on the material left on the pad and on the rotor itself. Ideally you want to pull the wheels off and get a good look at both sides, but generally you can tell how the pads are wearing by just looking through the wheel.

holdenbacktears > TheHondaBro
11/08/2014 at 17:06

If they're not too close to minimum thickness, you could have them machined. Have had that done on my car and it felt like brand new rotors