What's the typical cost for machining a single rotor down?

[aphex]

My rear passenger brake rotor is warped, as evidenced by the annoying patterned rubbing sound and wheel shake we get when slowing down from any decent speed. The noise is confined to the rear passenger wheel so I assume thats the only one with a noticeable enough problem. The brakes are only ~ 8 months old.

How much would a tire place charge to machine it down?

 

[PCMarine]

I had my two rear drums machined for $15/each IIRC. Machining a rotor probably costs the same.

 

[Bignate603]

Are you talking about removing it, turning it and replacing it or just turning it and you doing all the work?

 

[EarthwormJim]

I can't figure more than $30 each rotor (probably $15 like PCMarine said).

What car is this? I'd check prices on new rotors, they may not be that expensive depending on the make.

For under $50 more per rotor than having them machined, I'd just buy new rotors.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Bignate603
Are you talking about removing it, turning it and replacing it or just turning it and you doing all the work?

them doing it all

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
I can't figure more than $30 each rotor (probably $15 like PCMarine said).

What car is this? I'd check prices on new rotors, they may not be that expensive depending on the make.

For under $50 more per rotor than having them machined, I'd just buy new rotors.

05 Mazda3s

 

[dud]

Assuming it's not still under warranty ...

If you're considering a "tire place" to do the work it will probably be much more expensive then $15. Consider all that must be done. They'll probably charge you at least an hour labor plus the machining. If the rotor is truly warped then you have to consider the possibility that it might need replacement.

If you want to get out cheap then take the rotor off yourself and take it to a shop ... and hope that it can ne repaired.

 

[thecritic]

Any brake system work should be done in pairs to ensure balanced braking. While only one side may make noise, usually the brake components wear down and develop problems in pairs.

Generally it costs anywhere between $10-$35/rotor to have them resurfaced. If resurfacing costs more than $20/rotor, I'd highly consider replacing the rotors instead of resurfacing. In addition, insist that the technician puts a non-directional finish on the rotor after resurfacing. This will improve the quality of the finish to OEM specifications. (Under 60 microinches)

 

[TitanDiddly]

It's easy to take the rotor off. Just take it off yourself and bring it into a machine shop to have it done. Costs $8.00 each here. thecritic's advice of doing it in pairs is a good idea.

 

[chucky2]

Given that you're reducing the rotors ability to hold heat, and given how cheap rotors are, why don't you just buy two new ones?

Chuck

 

[thecritic]

Main causes of pedal pulsation are rotor runout and uneven wear from pads. This has been proven by Chrysler, Ford, GM and other manufacturers. It is discussed in these links:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/procut02.htm
http://www.aa1car.com/library/procut3b.htm
http://209.85.141.104/search?q...gl=us&client=firefox-a

For example, here's a quote from Chrysler:

"Takes a LOT of heat (cherry red) to warp rotors, so main cause of rotor variation is not heat but uneven wear."

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
It's easy to take the rotor off. Just take it off yourself and bring it into a machine shop to have it done. Costs $8.00 each here. thecritic's advice of doing it in pairs is a good idea.

I took mine off a 2004 Accord for the first time this weekend. I'm not sure if I would have been able to get it off if I hadn't been forewarned that I'd need an impact screwdriver.

BTW, Harbor Frieght Chinese made impact screwdriver = $6 FTW!

Kragen's Auto Parts turns rotors for $10 each in the Los Angeles area.

 

[Thump553]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
It's easy to take the rotor off. Just take it off yourself and bring it into a machine shop to have it done. Costs $8.00 each here. thecritic's advice of doing it in pairs is a good idea.

Depends on the car, most are quite easy but I had a mid-1980's Mazda that required disassembling the transaxle to remove the front rotors. Instead, I just bought pads much more frequently.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: chucky2
Given that you're reducing the rotors ability to hold heat, and given how cheap rotors are, why don't you just buy two new ones?

Chuck

QFT...you can probably pick up a Brembo pair for $50 from rockauto.com or the like.

I'd only turn rotors that would cost $100+ each to replace. My Skyline R33 GTST rotors are about $300 for the set + international shipping I had them turned once so far two years ago for $20 total out the door...I brought them the rotors.

 

[funboy6942]

Free at some parts stores if you buy all the rest of the brake stuff needed from them.

 

[StageLeft]

15-20, but depending on the situation with the pads this may not necessarily solve everything. Pairs is a good idea but on a new brake job like that I'd hate to do it. I'd also, though, hate to have a shop do all the labor (once they do that you're looking at a minimum of an hour labor plus the rotor) and it be for nought.

Learning how to do your own brakes is a superb skill. It's predictable in most cases, doesn't require getting under the car, and can save you a ton of money down the road. As mentioned above, an impact screwdriver MAY be needed for the rear rotors. I had to pay $15 for mine from advance auto parts.

 

[ViviTheMage]

you can get new rotors from autozone for 15-20$....duralasts, and I have been told they work great.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
you can get new rotors from autozone for 15-20$....duralasts, and I have been told they work great.

You can actually look up the prices for parts on the Autozone Web site by zip code. $37 for each front rotor on a 2004 V6 Accord.