Think i can salvage these brake rotors?

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
11/09/2019 at 16:45 • Filed to: None

4 years of sitting have not been kind. The pads, they have plenty-o-meat left on em, however these rotors look rough. Any tips/advice?

Whats amazing is, as far as I can tell these ball joints are still good, yet my parents 2012 escape have already needed replacing.

DISCUSSION (22)

Sovande > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 16:54

Wha t makes you think the ball joints are still good? Since it’s opened up an accessible, I’d be inclined to change them. Looks like they have to be drilled out, or you could get all new A arms.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 16:57

Those look pretty rough. You could measure them out and see if there is enough left to resurface down to good metal. However, there is rarely a good reason to resurface brake rotors anymore these days. Brake rotors are so cheap these days. Machining them is really a relic of decades past when new rotors were actually expensive.

My bird IS the word > Sovande
11/09/2019 at 17:03

I cant detect any play in the suspension at all. Idk how the state tests though.

Urambo Tauro > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:07

IF they can be resurfaced an d still be within spec, how much money would you be saving? Because effort-wise, y ou’d still have to mess with the bearings anyway...

My bird IS the word > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
11/09/2019 at 17:08

I was hoping these would last at least until i could get some rebuilt calipers. Seems like a waste. Everyone I know that tries to get rotors turned cant find anywhere that will agree to do it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:09

I’m guessing they are too pitted

My bird IS the word > Urambo Tauro
11/09/2019 at 17:11

I havent priced them out yet, Im putting the inner fenderwell back in and was taking a look while the wheel was off. I believe i already purchased some new front wheel bearings, I didnt do the rears as it was too much work with the solid axle for a job that wasn't critical.

Bandit > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:16

Rotors are dirt cheap and really not too hard to do, I’d just replace them. Dont gamble with safety. Pads on these cars are also super simple.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:24

It doesn’t surprise me that not many shops and part houses have brake lathes (or anyone trained to use them) these days. Any machine shop could t urn rotors, but the machine time would cost more than just buying new parts. The old ones will make fine scrap metal.

Sovande > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:27

On my El Camino the arms (and ball joints) appear to be original too. I’d love to replace the arms with something new including all new bushings. I just imagine it would make a huge difference. It would also be a good deal of work.

dogisbadob > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 17:52

Besides, new rotors don’t cost that much, anyway. Coated rotors are awesome

MoCamino > Sovande
11/09/2019 at 18:23

I did the bushings and ball joints (upper and lower) on my ‘79 EC earlier this year. I can say unequivocally that if you can afford it, replace the arms as a unit. I could not, so I had to remove and replace the bushings and ball joints, reusing the original arms. I saved a lot of money, but getting the old bushings out was awful. My experience was that it’s not possible without a 20 ton shop press.It made a big difference in the car’s manners though.

MM54 > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 18:25

Can you? Most likely. Is it worthwhile? Probably not.

My bird IS the word > Bandit
11/09/2019 at 18:31

Rock auto has a pad, rotor, and caliper kit for 160 so thats looking like a win to me.

facw > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 18:43

Definitely the way to go, no reason to mess with that pile of rust anymore than you have to.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
11/09/2019 at 19:21

I had it done @8 years ago for the 914, as the previous owner had put on new rotors pads. but as it sat for 20 years the pad oxidized to the rotors.

It was questionable in cost effectiveness to have them machined then, let alone now.

Fuckkinja > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 19:26

The pads will clean those rotors up pretty quickly. The rotors are not grooved a bit. Up here in snow country those rotors look like they sat for a weekend. Be ready to buy new parts but run them for now.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 20:41

I’ve got newish brakes (less than 2 years) on my MINI and they already have that “warped” pulsation. I keep hoping it’ll go away but I guess I should just get new rotors.

coqui70 > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 21:05

Replace.

My bird IS the word > Fuckkinja
11/09/2019 at 21:34

I think they will be ok for test and tune, but I think if I take the rust off they will just be pitted underneath. I doubt they will be able to pass inspection in that case.

Fuckkinja > My bird IS the word
11/09/2019 at 22:01

Yeah we don’t have inspections.

The junk my friends bring to my shop make your scrap firebird look driveable. Rust.

pip bip - choose Corrour > My bird IS the word
11/10/2019 at 01:43

buy new ones.