Resurface Brake Rotors Cost
Most of the vehicles you find on the road today use a disc brake system on all wheels, with the brake rotors being the last part of the braking setup.
The rotors are designed to help slow the down the car by the resistance produced by the brake pads, and when these pads go bad and need to be replaced, the rotors, at this time, will need to be replaced as well.
However, if enough thickness remains on the rotors, then the rotors may be resurfaced, also referred to as turning, to restore the part to a new-like condition, helping you save some money.
How much does it cost to resurface rotors?
The cost to resurface your rotors will depend on the mechanic/dealership you choose and the vehicle you drive. As mentioned in our intro, if there is enough thickness of the rotors, then a mechanic may recommend resurfacing the part. If so, the costs, from what we researched, can range anywhere from $40 to $65 per rotor based on these factors at a mechanic and almost double this at a local dealership. This estimate would be for the rotors only and would not include any other repairs such as replacing the brake pads or calipers, to name a few.
RepairPal.com, according to its quotes from mechanics across the United States, noted the average price could average between $235 and $329, with labor costs estimated to be $158 and $200, while parts are priced between $77 and $129.
One member on this NissanMurano.org forum thread said his local Nissan dealer quoted him $225 for the front and another $250 for the rear and wondered if this price was fair, and according to the responses, most claimed you were better of replacing them instead of considering the resurfacing job.
Austin Davis at MyHonestMechanic.com noted he would charge about $100 to remove the two front wheels and the rotors to resurface them.
At O’Reilly Auto Parts, if you remove your rotors, they will resurface them in store for about $15 to $30 each, according to a local store we talked with.
Repairing the brake rotors
Replacing brake pads and the rotors could be one of the most common repairs performed by most mechanics. First, the mechanic will first examine the rotors to look for any cracks, rust, deep grooves and/or the blue color, which indicates the brake rotor passed the permissible heat range. If these limitations are noted, then the mechanic will want to replace the rotors and will not recommend resurfacing them.
If the brake rotors are a candidate for resurfacing, then the rotor will be separated from the car and will be placed on what’s known as a brake lathe. This large industrial machine will surface the rotors by rotating the part as the metal part of the machine will make several passes as it scrapes across the side of rotors. Doing so, it will clean and “resurface” the rotor until a certain amount of thickness has been maintained. As long as the thickness is deemed safe for the vehicle, then the rotors will be connected and the new calipers and pads will be installed as well. Lastly, the brake system will be drained (bled) in order to flush any of the air and polluted brake fluid found inside the brake lines.
The entire resurfacing process should take a pinch less than one hour.
Symptoms of a poor brake rotor
As these parts are usually maintenance free, problems can arise, just like any other car part. If the rotors, for example, are subjected to abnormally hard use, then the heat the rotors absorb can cause the metal to turn blue and/or even crack. If this were to occur, then you may either lose braking power and/or a loud noise may come from the braking area. In some cases, no signs may be present and a visual inspection may be necessary to see if any cracks and/or the blue color is present. If any of these signs were present, it is not safe to operate the vehicle by any means and the vehicle in question should be taken to a mechanic immediately.
Tips to know
What is the average lifetime of brake rotors? Brake rotors are usually replaced anytime the brake pads are replaced, and this all depends on the driver’s driving style and the operating conditions. While the intervals can vary, rotors, on average, can last anywhere from 15,000 to 80,000+ miles. Be sure to check your official owner manual for more information in regards to how long your brake pads/rotors may last.
Compare the costs of a new rotor as you may find the costs of a new one, even when professionally installed, can be quite close to a resurfaced rotor.
While a rotor can be cut to a manufacturer’s minimum specifications, rotors, even at these specs, are more likely to overheat, cause delays in braking and/or give brake fade, according to AdvanceAutoParts.com. Being thinner, the part may warp faster, cause it to lose its efficiency faster.
With some brands, such as some Honda Accords and various European modes, rotors are not designed to be resurfaced and should be replaced, regardless of the circumstances.
If a rotor has been resurfaced in the past, then a mechanic will almost always want to replace it.
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