Re: brake problem

[Chuck Van Pelt <cvanpelt@aracnet.com>]

I've heard of this problem...it's called "normal wear". ;-)

Seriously, as brake disks age, the surface SLOWLY wears away, except where the
brake pad doesn't touch...the edge. Also I have noticed that the parts of a
brake disk that aren't being constantly "resurfaced" tend to rust. The rusted
edge tends to swell out slightly from the surface emphasizing the ridge. Have
you ever removed your calipers and broken loose a chunk of accumulated rust from
the edge of the disk?

As long as there are no grooves or ridges where the brake pad touches the rotor
you should be OK. The only way, however,  to really gauge that your rotors are
safe and sound is to use a measuring caliper to check the thickness. If they are
below the rated safety margin (you may be able to get this measurment in the
Bentley manual for your car) pitch 'em. You can also check for warping by
spinning the rotor on the axle while positioning a fixed pointer (like a
screwdriver in a clamp) near the side of the outer edge. Make sure the rotor
stays the same distance from your pointer as it rotates.

If the ridge bothers you, you can have the rotors machined to smoothness, as
long as there is enough metal left to keep them above the rated minimum
thickness. Whenever you machine the rotor surfaces, you should get new brake
pads, though.

If you DO have to replace your rotors, $120 a disk sounds a bit pricey. I think
the quik-e brake place is taking you for a ride. Shop around. Brake rotors are
pretty easy to replace...front ones anyway.

Good luck!

Chuck

"D.J. Bergesen" wrote:

> Anyone ever have a Grooving problem on the front rotors? My 96.5+ GLX 11.3"
> front rotors have about a 1/16th in. groove around the outer edge, and it
> doesn't seem normal (to me, the untrained VW owner). However, nothing was
> said at the 60K servicing, or when I had my left wheel bearing replaced. No
> braking problems either. I decided, for kicks, to take it to a brake place
> (not like a great shop, but one of those qwik-e places that specializes in
> swindling - at least in Tucson), and they told me they were destroyed, and
> that the brakes shouldn't even be working like this. Price: $120/ rotor. I
> KNOW I can get the 11.3" rotors for $82 per from Pep Boys.
>
> Any words of wisdom? It's not really a groove, more like the entire suface
> of the rotor is recessed about 1/16th in. from the outside part of the rotor
> - picture an opened can of tuna, where the tuna is flatened 1/16th in down
> from the rim of the can.
>
> Anyone??????
>
> DJB
>
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c h u c k  v a n  p e l t
w e b  d e v e l o p e r

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