If i replace my brake pads am i supposed to get the rotors machined? Or is it not completely necessary?

it depends on the condition of your rotors...

wavy/ any deep goughes on the surface?

umm, any vibration when you stop or drive?

i personally just used sandpaper on the surface to deglaze the surface, then blast it w/ some brake cleaner

ONLY IF the surfaces are smooth

if not, i'd pull them off and have it machined/ or if the rotors are too thin to cut, replaced

it depends on the condition of your rotors...

wavy/ any deep goughes on the surface?

umm, any vibration when you stop or drive?

i personally just used sandpaper on the surface to deglaze the surface, then blast it w/ some brake cleaner

ONLY IF the surfaces are smooth

if not, i'd pull them off and have it machined/ or if the rotors are too thin to cut, replaced

Ok thats good to know...the rotors still have plenty of life left on them if i had to get them machined but i guess tehy don't. the surface is smooth and there are no gouges either.

Ok thats good to know...the rotors still have plenty of life left on them if i had to get them machined but i guess tehy don't. the surface is smooth and there are no gouges either.


I would always get them machined. Even if they're smooth now, they've got a glaze on them which will prevent the pads from properly wearing in. This will, in turn, result in warped rotors where you have to machine them (if not outright replace them) as well as new pads again.

You can try to use sandpaper to break the glaze, but every time I've done that, the rotors always wound up warped. Get them turned, it's not that expensive whereas rotors for your car are starting to get that way.

Get them turned, it's not that expensive whereas rotors for your car are starting to get that way.

Yea I can agree on the getting expensive part I think I was quoted around $75 for a set. I grabbed some near new ones off a car in the junkyard for around $25 a set. Might not be the most expensive but when doing multiple repairs and not having the luxury of spending all your money on your car it's a stretch.

If i replace my brake pads am i supposed to get the rotors machined? Or is it not completely necessary?

the rotors should never be cut unless damaged badly ...small grooves are ok/ normal/////

when the disk/rotor is cut it is now more apt to warp...
If the rotors are warped/rusted badly replace them..

my 1996 impala has the same rotors when built....newer rotors are made with poor quality metal and rust threw after 3 years here in the rust belt...