Replacing Front Rotors

[khanh007]

Just recently I have been feeling a significant amount of steering wheel vibration when I brake at high speeds. Particularly when I brake at high speeds going downhill.I do not feel this vibration when braking at lower speeds or with in town driving.

I've read from the posts on this forum that this may be caused by grooves, cracks or warped areas on the front rotor.

I also read that one of the causes of the grooves or cracks in the rotor may be from torquing the lugnuts incorrectly when mounting the wheel.

I recently rotated my own tires, and although I do not feel that I tightented them too much... I cannot be 100% sure, since I do not have a torque wrench (getting one after this experience).

Although I'm pretty set on replacing the rotors, I will still inspect them beforehand just to make sure.

But I do have a few questions to those of you have may have replaced your rotors before:

1. Is it a good idea to replace the brake pads at the same time, even though they are not worn? I have an 07 SE, and I'm pretty sure they are not nworn to the point of replacement.

2. Other than spraying down the new rotors with brake cleaning fluid to get rid of the packing oil...is there anything else that I need to clean? Anything else need to be lubricated when I install the new rotors?

3. Are Raybestos brand rotors any good? I plan on purchasing from rockauto.com, sicne I've purchased parts from them in the past without incident, and this is one that they stock - RAYBESTOS Part # 980470{Advanced Technology / 11.65" / 5 Bolts}

I've been reading up on how to change the rotors and pads and watching videos on it, so I'm fairly confident that I can do it... But if you have any insight that I should know about when changing rotors pads, then I woulad appreciate them...

Thanks!

Khanh

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by khanh007

Just recently I have been feeling a significant amount of steering wheel vibration when I brake at high speeds. Particularly when I brake at high speeds going downhill.I do not feel this vibration when braking at lower speeds or with in town driving.

I've read from the posts on this forum that this may be caused by grooves, cracks or warped areas on the front rotor.

I also read that one of the causes of the grooves or cracks in the rotor may be from torquing the lugnuts incorrectly when mounting the wheel.

I recently rotated my own tires, and although I do not feel that I tightented them too much... I cannot be 100% sure, since I do not have a torque wrench (getting one after this experience).

Although I'm pretty set on replacing the rotors, I will still inspect them beforehand just to make sure.

But I do have a few questions to those of you have may have replaced your rotors before:

1. Is it a good idea to replace the brake pads at the same time, even though they are not worn? I have an 07 SE, and I'm pretty sure they are not nworn to the point of replacement.

2. Other than spraying down the new rotors with brake cleaning fluid to get rid of the packing oil...is there anything else that I need to clean? Anything else need to be lubricated when I install the new rotors?

3. Are Raybestos brand rotors any good? I plan on purchasing from rockauto.com, sicne I've purchased parts from them in the past without incident, and this is one that they stock - RAYBESTOS Part # 980470{Advanced Technology / 11.65" / 5 Bolts}

I've been reading up on how to change the rotors and pads and watching videos on it, so I'm fairly confident that I can do it... But if you have any insight that I should know about when changing rotors pads, then I woulad appreciate them...

Thanks!

Khanh

1) If the pads are good, you might as well reuse them

2) No other cleaning is really needed. Just make sure that there isn't any rust on the hub where the rotor seats. If this area is rusted, the rotor may not sit flat and you'll still have a pulsation.

3) I've never used them, but have heard that they are good. You should be able to save good money and just have yours resurfaced.

You can buy a cheap torque wrench at Advance, AutoZone, or Pep Boys. For torquing lugnuts, you don't need a nice one.

[Mike Murrell]

"You can buy a cheap torque wrench at Advance, AutoZone, or Pep Boys. For torquing lugnuts, you don't need a nice one"


I agree and you might find one even cheaper if you have a Harbor Freight in your locale.
They work just fine.

[khanh007]

I agree and you might find one even cheaper if you have a Harbor Freight in your locale.
They work just fine.

Yup!

I read about Harbor Freight somewhere else, and I plan on making a trip there, since I have two near me (SF Bay Area)...

Thanks for the tip

Khanh

[khanh007]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

1) If the pads are good, you might as well reuse them

2) No other cleaning is really needed. Just make sure that there isn't any rust on the hub where the rotor seats. If this area is rusted, the rotor may not sit flat and you'll still have a pulsation.

3) I've never used them, but have heard that they are good. You should be able to save good money and just have yours resurfaced.

You can buy a cheap torque wrench at Advance, AutoZone, or Pep Boys. For torquing lugnuts, you don't need a nice one.

Would the grooved or warped areas on the rotor have any effect on the surface of the friction material on the brake pad? My intuition tells me to change the pads together with the rotors, since there is most likely an issue with the rotors, but I thought I'd ask anyway...

I have thought about re-surfacing them, but for the cost benefit...I think purchasing new rotors may be a better route for me. They are only $39$ a pop from rockauto.com, so they are quite affordable...

I'm sure re-surfacing would cure the issues I'm having, but I have read that resurfaced rotors tend to warp easier. I'd rather save myself the hassle/headache, and just replace them.

Thank you for all your advice.

[kesi24]

Go to pepboys and resurface them, OEM rotors are better quality that cheap replacement's.It cost 10-15 Bucks for reserface.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by khanh007

Just recently I have been feeling a significant amount of steering wheel vibration when I brake at high speeds. Particularly when I brake at high speeds going downhill.I do not feel this vibration when braking at lower speeds or with in town driving.

I've read from the posts on this forum that this may be caused by grooves, cracks or warped areas on the front rotor.

I also read that one of the causes of the grooves or cracks in the rotor may be from torquing the lugnuts incorrectly when mounting the wheel.

I recently rotated my own tires, and although I do not feel that I tightented them too much... I cannot be 100% sure, since I do not have a torque wrench (getting one after this experience).

Although I'm pretty set on replacing the rotors, I will still inspect them beforehand just to make sure.

But I do have a few questions to those of you have may have replaced your rotors before:

1. Is it a good idea to replace the brake pads at the same time, even though they are not worn? I have an 07 SE, and I'm pretty sure they are not nworn to the point of replacement.

2. Other than spraying down the new rotors with brake cleaning fluid to get rid of the packing oil...is there anything else that I need to clean? Anything else need to be lubricated when I install the new rotors?

3. Are Raybestos brand rotors any good? I plan on purchasing from rockauto.com, sicne I've purchased parts from them in the past without incident, and this is one that they stock - RAYBESTOS Part # 980470{Advanced Technology / 11.65" / 5 Bolts}

I've been reading up on how to change the rotors and pads and watching videos on it, so I'm fairly confident that I can do it... But if you have any insight that I should know about when changing rotors pads, then I woulad appreciate them...

Thanks!

Khanh

You should be able to have Toyota dealership resurface your rotors under warranty.
I just had mine done about 2 weeks ago. I had the same vibration when applied brake at 60+ mph. They resurfaced all 4 rotors and brake pads all under warranty. (although, brake pads were not cover under warranty but out of goodwill they did it anway!)

[DressUpYourPet]

Would the grooved or warped areas on the rotor have any effect on the surface of the friction material on the brake pad? My intuition tells me to change the pads together with the rotors, since there is most likely an issue with the rotors, but I thought I'd ask anyway...

If they are thick enough and not worn unusually, cracked, greasy or oil soaked they should be fine. A quick rule of thumb: remaining pad material should at least equal the thickness of the metal backing thickness. If you just arent sure or its going to bother you just knowing the old pads are in there, change them for your peace of mind. to avoid brake noise and other possible problems I'd get OEM or a kind of similar material as OEM (semi metallic or what the auto parts tells you oem is).

I have thought about re-surfacing them, but for the cost benefit...

Im not a big fan of cutting rotors, my reason is, if they are bad enough to cut then you may easily wind up with too much metal removed. I know theres the number cast into the disc on how thin they can be but to my mind, any metal removal is bad as it makes the rotor heat quicker. Hot rotors = warped rotors (again).

What's more, not only do you have to haul heavy dirty rotors back and forth to the machine shop; you also have no idea how good a job the machinist will do. There are many variables, the skill of the guy doing the turning, worn cutting tool on lathe etc. and its possible to wind up with a rotor cut too thin (unless you want to mike them yourself you have no way to check.) or with the wrong finish ("Zzzzzzzzz" sound when braking is the possible result of a bad cutting job.)

Not only that, as you have noticed, new rotors are relatively cheap now even compared to having the old ones turned. I know they arent the same rockwell hardness or bla bla bla as new OEM Toyota rotors but compare the prices and it might change your mind. I have used these cheapo chinese rotors many times on many cars and trucks and have not had any problems with them - no warping or unusual wearing etc. Thats my experience on what i have found easiest and cheapest way to do a good brake job.