The brake rotor works in conjunction with the brake pads to ensure your vehicle stops when you press the pedal. While many people are accustomed to changing brake pads often, most aren’t aware that the brake rotor also requires periodic replacement. So, what are the signs it’s time to replace your brake rotors?
I look at four tell-tale signs that the brake rotors are worn and either require replacement, or resurfacing. I also discuss how often you should replace the brake rotors, and examine how much it might cost. Let’s take a quick look at the signs to look for:
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Brake Rotors
The main signs it’s time to replace your brake rotors include:
- Vibrations when braking
- Loud Braking Noises
- Cracks in the rotors
- Damage/Grooves
Here’s a more detailed list of the signs to look for when deciding whether it’s time to replace your brake rotors:
1. Vibration when braking
When the brake pads or rotors are going bad, it’s common to feel a vibration in the brake pedal. When it gets really bad, the vibration will also extend into the steering wheel.
Often this vibration comes from brake pad material that has collected on the face of the rotor, creating high spots. In some cases, it occurs when the brake system becomes overheated from excessive use. You may also notice more pedal feedback when the deposits build up.
2. Loud Braking Noises
As brake pads start to fail, you will often hear a squealing or screeching sound. If the pads aren’t replaced promptly, metal-to-metal grinding can occur while braking.
This loud sound also happens when brake components become heavily corroded, affecting the tolerance between them. If the situation is bad, dragging of the brakes can also occur. At this point, you should stop driving your car immediately until the brakes are repaired.
Modern brake pads offer a wear sensor made from metal. As the brake pads get low, this material rubs the rotor and alerts you with an audible noise so you take action. Changing the worn-out brake pads promptly could save the brake rotors from wear.
3. Cracks
After the rotors are subject to excessive heat, the surface can crack. While there are multiple different types of cracks that occur, they are all related to either compression or expansion.
Small hairline fractures might seem alarming, but in many cases, these can be repaired with resurfacing. You will most often see hairline fractures when using the brakes at high temperatures, such as if you are racing.
However, a crack that occurs on the rotor and extends to the edge will require immediate replacement. There is no fix for this type of rotor damage.
4. Damage/Grooves
Over time, the surface of the rotor can become grooved and damaged. This is caused by debris or worn components rubbing against the rotor.
If the metal backing plate from worn brake pads makes contact with the rotor, it can cause damage. Also, corrosion and rust will create grooves on the surface.
If you think the rotor is warped, you might want to take a second look. In reality, brake rotors rarely ever actually warp. Instead, you are noticing the unevenness of the surface.
RELATED: How often should you change your brake pads?
How Often to Replace Brake Rotors?
Brake rotors should be replaced every 70,000 miles, more or less, depending on the car model and driving style. The only correct way to know if your brake rotors need a replacement is by visually inspecting them.
This is far longer than brake pads, which are often replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. The conventional steel brake rotors have the shortest lifespan, while carbon ceramic rotors can last the lifetime of the vehicle, but cost much more.
The health of your brake rotors depends on your driving style, how much your vehicle weighs, and the quality of the parts you choose. When you take the brake pads off, the rotors should always be inspected for wear. Resurface or replace them as needed.
Brake Rotor Replacement Cost
Brake rotor replacement might cost around $350 to $500 for each rotor. This price includes about $200 to $400 for the rotor and $150 for the labor. If you can replace the brake rotor yourself at your home garage, you could save some money on the job.
RELATED: Brake Rotor Replacement Cost
Thankfully, your brake rotors won’t usually require replacement every time you change the brake pads. They don’t typically incur as much wear and tear as the brake pads do.
If there is enough brake rotor material left, you might be able to resurface them instead. The cost of resurfacing brake rotors is much less than replacing them. A qualified shop will be able to turn or cut the brake rotors, giving you a fresh surface to work with. The shop places the rotors on a lathe and removes a thin layer of the material until it is smooth and free of corrosion again.
Typically, you will spend $10 to $15 for brake rotor resurfacing, making this a much more affordable option. However, you would still have to pay to have the rotors removed and put back on unless you can do this yourself. Additionally, it’s never wise to resurface the brake rotors when the material becomes too thin.
4 thoughts on "How Often Should You Replace Brake Rotors? 4 Signs It’s Time"
Cat
I have a 2015 Nissan Rogue, how often am I supposed to replace my rotors? My car has 54,000 miles on it. I hear a faint squeak. I’d like to drive to Palm Springs, and I live in Las Vegas. Should I wait to get brakes fixed or should I get breaks repaired now? I haven’t been driving much during the shut down. But I do not want to have break problems during a short road trip. What do you suggest?
urdrwho52
The problem is that garages have found a new profit center and that is rotors. For 50 years I've done my own work but I'm almost 70 years old and just recently allowed a shop to replace front pads on my CRV. They wanted to replace rotors . I have bright, think, shiny rotors on the front that are not that old. I asked why replace rotors? They said because that is how they do it. I asked are they scoured. Answer - no. Are they warped? Answer no. My answer to them --- don't replace the rotors. This was for State inspection and they said my pads were close to minimum specs. I said go ahead replace them, I don't want to nick the rotors. They already had the car up on the lift for the State inspection, the tires were off to measure the pads. So when I picked up the car they hit me for book/flat rate on the pads. He said 1.5 hours labor. I know for a FACT that I can do both sides in my driveway in an hour or less. I wasn't pleased about it but that is how they do it. It is my wife's car and I asked her how the new brakes feel? She said softer than the old ones. So I went out, started the car, pressed on the brake pedal and it goes 80% or more to the floor. Did it again, same thing. They have air in the lines and should have been bled. Now do I go back and complain. I'm already half PO'd and my not be gentle. Or just bleed them myself and be over it? I am the garage's worst nightmare. I can do everything from changing engines to replacing timing belts, etc. I can replace a dual cam older Subaru Outback timing belt, pulleys and water pump in about 2.5 hours. I know how long things take and when they tell me foolish lies --- I don't like it! I feel bad for people who know nothing about cars. Flat rate is a con game. They try and justify it by saing a job could take longer and the shop has to eat the charge. No they don't. Charge for your time, if it takes longer due to rust, etc. just explain to the customer. And mechanics should not make money on parts.
Bobby
I get what your saying. Rotors should be mic'ed then replaced if necessary. Some places to replace due to the industry standard is going in that direction. I understand book time. But its book time and labor hours that make the difference. Labor hours can be from 95 to 150. Now you saying you can do in an hour or less thats fine. You can have 3 techs doing same type of car and end up finishing at different times. Its not a race average is 1.5 hours thats including turning the rotors. Anyone can do a pad slap and put on new rotors in less than an hour depending on vehicle.
Jeff
Hi URD! I agree with you completely. Here's another tip for the readers. When you know you need to have an automotive part repaired / replaced go to rockauto.com and find out the true costs of the parts. This then gives you and understanding of what the minimum product cost is. Ask your repair person to match , or order the parts from Rock Auto ( disclosure I do not work for RockAuto and I am in no way compensated by them or anyone else.) Just a note, do not order parts from RockAuto and expect your repair person to put them on without clearing that with them before you order the parts. Lastly, I needed rear discs and rotors for my son's 2016 Honda Accord. Purchased the parts for $65 and did the install myself in 1 1/2 hrs. ... a fraction of the cost $289 to $330 that I was quoted by several service providers. Jeff