turning rotors

Can any experts tell me whether it is advisable or worth getting Saturn
rotors resurfaced or 'turned'? Going rate seems to be $10 per turned
rotor, yet buying new ones per rotor are, approximately, an extra $10
over the cost of turning one rotor. Just curious as my current Bendix
rotors were a bit more, cost wise, and am wondering if these rotors are
just too thin to begin with, to consider ever having them turned. I've
heard the the term 'throw away' rotors and would really like to know if
this term might be the case. I live in an area with heavy winter salt
area. Thanks.....

 

The shop that would turn the rotors should check them before turning to see
if there is a safe thickness to even start. And check them again after
turning. As it is a safety issue, with their shop on-the-line.

 

Monday I changed the front brakes on my 98 SC2 and used a pair of $19.95
rotors. I had brought my old ones to a shop to be turned, but it was closed.
For the price of the new rotors verses the old ones being turned, the choice
was simple....why bother with questionable when for $25 more you can have
new? I know what I have will last for a long time safely and for a mere $65
total. I live in Wisconsin and found the cooling fins to be quite corroded
as well.

 

In the distant past ('60s & '70s) it was worth it to turn rotors
because they were pretty thick to begin with. Now, they're pretty
thin even when new. Thin rotors warp easier. I haven't bothered
having rotors turned for years, for the very economic reasons you
stated, plus not wanting to have rotors that will usually warp.

Ken

 

I have to disagree with most folk.

I'd call around and see if you can get a better price on the turning - $5
each is not uncommon, $2 each if you buy the replacement pads from them is
also common.

When I've bought the Bendix pads at my local auto parts dealer, they've been
willing to turn the rotors for $2 each. Works like a champ.

Now, that said, why do you think you need to turn the rotors? Is there
significant scoring (0.060" or deeper grooves)? If not, and you aren't
getting pedal pulsations, don't bother turning them - you don't need to.

 

There has been no pulsation, yet the rotor scoring is just beginning to
show. Doubt the scoring is .060" yet. The rotor surface appears to be
glazed, or shiny. Is there a possibility that the shiny surface can be
taken down somehow, and if so, what might the best way be to do this myself?

If I can do some inexpensive simple repairs myself, it'll definately
help my limited budget. I was hoping to find someone to turn the 4
rotors, and just take as little off as possible. They, the brakes, don't
grab like the new rotors and pads did when I installed new, so that was
why I thought about having them turned. There is still quite a bit of
pad depth yet also.

Thanks to all who reponded with helpful suggestions to this thread....

 

I can't remember what I paid to get mine turned but it was pretty cheap.

I looked up the rotor specs in the Haynes manual and found mine had plenty of
thickness after measuring with a dial indicator. They've been fine for around
60k miles now and I drive on the rough side.......

 

I usually have to replace brakes about twice as often as 'normal'
people. The brakes on my Saturn seem like they're going to last
forever. Now that I've said that I expect to soon hear the sound of
metal on metal. ;-)

Ken

 

I usually have to replace brakes about twice as often as 'normal'

Thats pretty much my thoughts. I'm really surprised they've lasted as long as
they have .

 

I have access to turn my own rotors and won't do it. I bought rotors for my SL2
for $16 a piece. Yes I am sure they are cheap but at that price I will put them
on new everytime I do a brake job. I get about 45K out of a set of front
brakes.

The old days of nice heavy thick rotors are gone! Even the metal quality has
diminished. Just take a look at the rotor where the inside pad rubs. More
times than not, they are deeply pitted due to poor material.

James

 

Read this out of todays paper...

http://members.aol.com/james1549/rotors.jpg

James