How To See If You Need To Replace Your Rotors
Have a hunch that one of your rotors has gone bad? This diagnostic guide will help you examine your rotors and pinpoint which one(s) need to be replaced.
The easiest way to determine if you have any bad rotors is to remove the wheels and then physically examine each rotor. If you think that this is something you can do, read on to find out how to identify a bad rotor from a good one.
Which Tools To Grab Before Starting
You need one of the following tools to remove your wheels:
- Impact gun & socket
- Breaker bar, socket, and socket wrench
- Lug wrench
You will also want a disc brake caliper or micrometer.
How To Remove Your Wheels
We recommend removing the wheels one at a time, instead of all the wheels at once. To do this:
- Loosen the lug nuts by ¼ of a turn.
- Lift the wheel off the ground.
- Support the car with a jack stand.
- Remove the lug nuts.
- Pull the wheel off of the car. The rotor is visible at this point.
- Repeat with the next wheel (after examining the rotor on this one).
Telltale Signs To Look For
You can easily identify a bad rotor just by looking at the condition of the surface and measuring the rotor thickness. When you have the rotor in front of you, look for the following signs that the rotor is no longer functional:
- Burn spots
- Cracks
- Deep grooves
- Rotor thickness below the minimum thickness (which should be stamped on the edge)
- Variation in the disc thickness
To measure the rotor thickness and the rotor thickness variation, you want to use a disc brake caliper or a micrometer.
Replacing Your Rotors
Replacing your rotors is definitely something you can do at home. You just need some basic tools and OEM replacement rotors, which you can buy from us at wholesale pricing. There are plenty of model-specific tutorials available online, especially on YouTube.
If you have to replace your rotors, and if you’re not sure how to find the right set of rotors for your car, you’re welcome to reach out to us. We’ll be more than happy to assist you!