How do you handle a pulsation comeback after a brake job? Blame the pads? The driver? Defective rotor? When you point your finger at these items, there are three fingers pointing back at YOU. You may think it is the fault of the replacement rotor, but you might be the one to blame.
Myth 1: Machining rotors is a thing of the past.
You may think that installing new rotors eliminates the possibility of a comeback. However, this myth creates more comebacks than it solves. These comebacks often start with blaming the new pads and rotors, and end with the customer having to return a second or third time until someone pulls out a dial indicator and micrometer.
Installing new rotors is not a way to avoid having to use a micrometer, dial indicator on the car brake lathe. For every brake job, you should always measure for runout (rotor and flange) and the dimensions of the rotor before brake service is performed.
After the rotor is resurfaced or a new rotor is installed, the rotor should be measured for runout when it is installed on the vehicle as a quality control method. A new rotor could have excessive runout when it is installed on the vehicle due to a stacking of tolerances.
Myth 2: New rotors prevent comebacks and are cheaper and more profitable than an on-the-car lathe
It has often been said that you should never machine new rotors but in some cases with excessive runout, a new rotor should be machined to match the vehicle with an on-the-car brake lathe. This applies to old and new rotors.
The main advantage of on-the-car lathes is that they are able to cut a rotor in its operating plane. This means that the rotor is machined to match the hub, helping to reduce runout even on new rotors.
Remember, the problem is not with the new rotor. The runout problem is in the flange. Hypothesizing that the problem is with the new rotor’s metallurgy, casting processes or handling at the warehouse is wrong. The core of the problem is you didn’t measure for runout when the new rotor was installed on the old flange.
Myth 3: Rotors do not need to be measured
Even if you use new rotors, your chance of a pulsation comeback could be greater than if you left the old rotors on the vehicle. Runout in the hub and new rotor can stack up to cause Disc Thickness Variation (DTV) in a few thousand miles. DTV is the main cause of pulsation.
Runout greater than .005˝ (±.001 depending on the rotor or flange diameter) is a sign that the flange, rotor and/or bearing should be replaced. The needle of the dial indicator should be perpendicular to the rotor. Measurements should be taken a quarter inch from the edge.
Flange runout can be corrected with tapered shims that are available to correct a runout of 0.003˝ (0.075 mm) to 0.009˝ (0.230 mm). A runout of more than 0.005˝ (0.125 mm) at the bearing flange cannot be corrected by the use of a shim. The combination of rotor and bearing flange could prevent the rotor from being turned. Checking bearing flange runout should be performed after friction surface runout. Changing the rotor position 180º on the bearing can check flange runout. If the high spot changes 180º, the rotor could be OK or ready to turn after the bearing is shimmed.
Myth 4: Two passes make for a better finish
Cutting a rotor in one pass is essential for productivity. For non-composite rotors, it is possible to take as much as 0.020˝ per side while still having an acceptable finish. However, with a composite rotor or one with hard spots, the depth should be reduced, likely below 0.010˝ per side, for a quality finish. In order to remove this much material, it is essential to have sharp bits.
Cutting too fast will reduce the cut quality and possibly create chatter. A larger diameter rotor will need to turn slower than a small diameter one.
Single-speed lathes are set at the slower speed of the largest application they are designed to cut. This is usually around 0.002˝ per revolution.
Poor rotor finish can lead to noise. When machining a rotor, you have two primary goals: Provide a smooth surface finish for the pads and provide a true surface finish. Never use the ballpoint pen measurement method when machining rotors. The only real way to measure is with a profilometer that measures the roughness average, which is very expensive and very fragile. The best way to make sure a lathe is cutting rotors the right way is to make sure your cutting bits are fresh, adapters are true and the crossfeed is set properly.
Don’t succumb to the common myths about rotors and don’t throw around blame. Just do the job correctly.
