What causes pitting in brake rotors?

Rust on the brake rotor can cause pitting. The surface of the rotor should be smooth so it can have full contact with the brake pads. Brake pads must be the exact size to perfectly match the rotor. The more contact the brake pad has with the rotor, the more braking power your vehicle will have.

Do pitted rotors need to be replaced?

A. Brake rotors will rust. Usually it’s just surface rust that will wear off after a couple of miles of driving. If the rust is deep — to the point of pitting — it is certainly possible the rotors need to be replaced.

Can pitted rotors be resurfaced?

Sometimes your rotors may need to be resurfaced because they have worn unevenly, warped from heat, or become damaged by worn brake pads or pitted from corrosion or rust. Resurfacing rotors removes some of their metal, until the surface is smooth and even again.

Is it safe to drive with rusted rotors?

Rust is bad because it weakens rotors over time, and makes the brakes noisy when the vehicle is first driven after being parked. Rusty rotors also increase brake pad wear. Heat effects – Aggressive driving, pulling a trailer, hauling heavy loads or mountain driving all can cause brake temperatures to rise.

Are grooves in rotors bad?

However, a groove to make you grieve – and a clue to your rotors being on the way out – is the presence of scoring or grooves on the rotor’s surface. Such marks are the product of time and usage and, while degrading in this way is perfectly normal, it’s also a signal your rotors are due for replacement.

Why do brake rotors rust so quickly?

With the exception of fully ceramic rotors, most production rotors are made of cast iron. The nature of disc brake operation is such that the friction pads constantly wear away at the surface of each rotor. As you have discovered, the fresh unprotected cast iron will begin rusting almost immediately.

How do you tell if rotors can be resurfaced?

If your brake rotors have sufficient metal remaining with no hard spots, cracks, severe grooving or rusting, then the rotors could be resurfaced. Some have the opinion that unless the brake rotors have surface issues needing to be fixed, the rotors should not be resurfaced every time the pads are replaced.

How do you get rust off of rotors?

Use Brake Cleaner to Remove Rust From the Rotors Put down a tray to catch any runoff, then spray the rotor with brake cleaner. Let the rotor dry, then wipe it with a clean rag (no oil on the rag). If some rust remains, apply more brake cleaner and work the surface with steel wool or a wire brush.

How do you keep rotors from rusting?

First brake clean your rotors and clean all the debris off. Then cover the entire rotor with Caliper paint i used black. Once installed the paint the touches the brake pad will rub off. The unused part of the rotor will still be painted, which prevents rust and make your rotors look nice.

How often do rotors need to be replaced?

In answer to how often do brake rotors need to be replaced, they can last anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles, and sometimes more. A licensed mechanic can evaluate the rotors and advise you on their status. However, this time-frame is dependent on various factors as highlighted below: Style of driving.

How often should rotors be rotated/replaced?

How often do rotors need to be replaced? Even resurfaced rotors need to be replaced every 70,000 miles, doesn’t matter that they are in good working condition. Look for signs of uneven wear, excessive runout, and heavy pitting, spotting, grooving, hard spots, or cracking.

Do my rotors need to be replaced?

However, rotors do need to be replaced when they become too worn, which normally can’t be determined without some special equipment to analyze the surface. Take it to a brake place, not an oil change place, for a better opinion.