Wrap Rotors and Brake Repairs
By Charles on Mar 24, 2011 with Comments 0
One of the most important aspects of brake repairs is warped rotors. These are very common in newer models but some old vehicles may have them as well. Some drivers make the mistake of assuming that the newer brands of vehicles do not need maintenance. In fact it might be true that the newer brand of vehicles will have a very strict set of criteria under which they are going to be maintained. That means that the driver or mechanic has very limited discretion to choose the things that they are going to prioritize. You will have to do the things that are prescribed in the manual or the vehicle will break down. The rotors are mostly associated with disc brake systems. That does not mean that you should not look for them on other types of vehicles. You should first study the system settings before embarking on the brake repairs. Of course if you are using a mechanic then you will have to rely on their sense of judgment and experience in this area.
The importance of managing the rotor systems
The rotor systems on the vehicle will determine how well you can repair the gear and the amount of work that is involved in that process. If you play your cards right, then it is possible to complete all the requisite tasks without too much hassle. If you have a warped rotor then it will give a pulsing motion when you are attempting to deal with it. Incorrect tightening and overheating can make the rotor faulty. You should check these two aspects before moving on to other things. The pulsing feeling can be annoying but it will also be dangerous because it might indicate that the brakes are about to give up anyway. You need to be able to check out all these factors. The newer vehicles will have rotors that are thin and therefore very easy to adjust. However the older vehicles will present different challenges that you need to deal with effectively. They might be very thick such that it is very difficult to move them into the direction that you are hoping to achieve.
The manufacture has a role to play when you are attempting to undertake brake repairs. If they place the rotors in such a position where there is not enough material to resurface then you will be stuck. Your mechanic will tell you whether it is possible to machine the rotors or else you might need to get new replacements from the same shop. The resurfacing process involves using a cutting tool to remove some of the surface levels on the rotor. You will then get the flatness which is required to keep the pulsing motion away. The pedal will go back to normal functionality and the vehicle will be safe to drive once more. The various parts need to be put back together according to the specifications that are set by the manufacturer. The lug nuts will need to be subject to a torque until they are in the right position. It is important that you prevent the rotor from warping or else all the repairs will go back to base.
Variations according to certain garages
Not every garage will give the same brake repairs. You need to identify whether the alternatives that they are using are acceptable. If they use a stick for the rotor, they need to ascertain whether this is going to create risks for the driver. You also need to ensure that the vehicle has been road tested. This is done in order to clear out any missing changes.
Filed Under: Car Tuning • Guides/DIY