Brake Rotor Resurfacing and Replacement in Albany
Welcome to Albany’s premier auto repair shop – Adams Autoworx Albany. We offer complete auto brake services, including brake rotor replacement. Rotors are attached to the wheels – when you press the brake pedal, hydraulic system amplifies and transfer that force to the brake calipers which press the brake pads against the rotors, which in turn slows down the wheels and the car.
With all the friction generated by brake pads, brake system components wear out. While the brake pads wear down more rapidly, eventually rotors will wear down as well. Their surface can also get warped from the repeated heating and cooling. Vibrations when applying brakes are often a symptom of warped rotors.
In the olden days we used to resurface rotors. Resurfacing involved taking off a layer of metal to remove the warping. Rotors were made of think metal, so removing a layer did not negatively impact their physical structure. Unfortunately, due to government mandated fuel efficiency standards, automobile manufacturers worked on minimizing the weight of their vehicles. Every ounce of metal was under review – and so the rotors got slimmed down. Modern rotors are considerably thinner than in the past, and so rotor resurfacing is no longer advisable – it is better to buy brand new, factory made rotors.
Signs that rotors should be inspected:
- If you feel pulsation or vibration while applying brakes
- If you notice blue discoloration of the rotor surface, or if you see hot spots or grooves.
Rotor replacement:
Warped rotors are usually replaced in pairs, and usually at the same time as we replace worn brake pads. This saves you time and money, as you only make one visit to the shop.
Adams Autoworx Albany we not only replace rotors, but also do an inspection of the brake lines, hoses, calipers and we check the brake fluid and top it off if necessary. When the rotor replacement is completed and the wheels are back on the vehicle, we will test the braking system in the shop, and we will also take the vehicle for a test drive to verify that brakes are performing well under real driving conditions.
Brakes are a critical safety item, so if you have any doubts or concerns about the brakes, call us at the shop. We can answer questions about the brakes, and can make an appointment at the same time - brake problems should be treated seriously – your safety depends on them.