Many parts of your vehicle will need occasional maintenance and replacing. This includes your brake rotors. Learn what signs indicate your brake rotors need replacing, what causes them to wear out, and how to get this job done.
When Should You Replace Brake Rotors?
Signs Your Brake Rotors Need Replacing
Your car can sometimes tell you if it needs maintenance. If your brake rotors need replacing, you may notice the following symptoms:
- squealing sound from the brakes
- slower stopping time
- steering wheel vibrations when braking
- ABS warning light on
As soon as you’re aware of these signs, give your brake system an assessment.
Assessing Brake Rotors
Even if you notice nothing out of the ordinary, you should still assess your brake system and brake rotors roughly every 16,000 km.
Brake rotors are mounted on the axle of your vehicle at the wheel hub. They look like circular discs, and you’ll find one to accompany each wheel of your vehicle.
As you do your assessment, look out for:
- scratches, scores, or grooves
- rust
- large edges
- blue tint
Remember to check the thickness of your brake rotors, as well. If the thickness of a rotor is less than the minimum specification and can’t be resurfaced, replace it. To find the minimum thickness, look for an engraved number on the side of your rotors. Your owner’s manual will also provide a recommended brake rotor thickness.
All brake rotors will have mild scratch marks shortly after installation, but a lot of deep scratches mean it’s time for a replacement. These symptoms can limit the rotor’s ability to create friction with the brake pads, making the brakes less effective.
What Causes Brake Rotors to Wear Out?
Most brake rotors will need replacing every 80,000 to 110,000 km. You can prolong the life of brake rotors by avoiding certain driving habits.
The most common causes of worn brake rotors are:
- Sudden stopping: The friction from the brake pads gripping the rotors can cause intense heat that wears the rotors down.
- Excessive braking: Constantly hitting/tapping the brakes can create a buildup of heat, causing wear.
- Avoiding brake pad replacement: Continuing to drive on worn brake pads can create metal-on-metal contact, leading to wear on the rotors.
Other causes of brake rotor wear that are unrelated to your driving habits include:
- Uneven axle position: If the front axle is bearing a lot more weight than the rear, the front rotors may wear down much faster.
- Heavy vehicle: The heavier your vehicle is, the faster the rotors will wear down.
- Poor quality parts: The quality of material used in your rotors can affect how long they last.
Professional Brake Rotor Replacement
How much does a brake rotor replacement affect your wallet? Brake rotors usually cost between $40 and $75 each. If you want to get your brake rotors replaced professionally, you can expect to pay an additional $150 to $200 per axle (i.e., two rotors at a time).
This cost can vary depending on the type of brake rotors you choose, the size of your vehicle, and how accessible the parts for your vehicle are (i.e., having a more popular vehicle could lower your bill).
You can book a professional brake service, including brake rotor replacement, at any NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.
DIY Brake Rotor Replacement
For those up to the challenge, you can learn how to DIY this task. Follow this guide for full instructions on how to replace your brake rotors and service the rest of your vehicle’s brake parts. Remember to always wear protective equipment, like gloves, when working on your vehicle.
Some people may choose to DIY to save money, but you should be prepared for what a brake rotor replacement costs, even from your own garage.
For example, you might need new tools to complete this task, especially if you have a modern vehicle with an electronic parking brake. The caliper sliders might also need to be serviced, boots and seals could be torn, pistons could be damaged, and brake bleeder screws could be stuck in place.
If these parts aren’t in good condition, you might have to replace the pads and rotors again. This isn’t meant to discourage DIYers, but it’s wise to know how much time and money a proper brake service can cost before you start.
More Information
Keeping your brakes in good condition is the best way to avoid expensive repairs. This means checking up on the brake fluid, avoiding sudden braking, and continuing with regular brake inspections.
To learn more about types of brake rotors, visit NAPACanada.com and browse through our wide selection of brake parts.
If you have any questions about brake rotors and brake rotor replacement, visit a NAPA Auto Parts store to speak with an expert.
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