Them's the Brakes (Brake Rotor Resurfacing)
June 9, 2024
Your vehicle's brakes wear out. It's inevitable. You'll notice it when you step on the brake pedal and feel it harder to stop, or there's vibration when you are braking.
Most modern vehicles have disc brakes that each use a brake pad that press on a disc (disc brakes!) called a rotor. The friction between them enables you to stop, and each time you do a little bit of the pad and the rotor wears down.
The original brakes on vehicles used a rotor that was thick enough to last through at least two replacements of the pads. But vehicle manufacturers who want to save costs and weight now make them thinner, and sometimes the rotors have to be replaced after the first pad replacement. But not always.
Vehicle manufacturers specify a minimum thickness to provide safe braking. Sometimes rather than having to have your rotors replaced, they can be put on a lathe and resurfaced. In other words, the surfaces of the disc can be slightly shaved off so the surface is flat and doesn't wobble.
Whenever you bring your vehicle in to have the brakes checked, the technician will measure the thickness of the rotors to see if they can be resurfaced without leaving them too thin for safe braking. If they can, with the right tools and skill, the rotors can be resurfaced. If not, the rotors should be replaced.
Discuss the options with your service advisor. Our service center can recommend replacements that are designed to help stop your vehicle as well as or better than the vehicle's original rotors.
Either way, keep in mind that keeping your brakes in top condition can supply the margin of safety that may one day save your life or the lives of those around you.
Star Lube Centerton
550 W Centerton Blvd
Centerton, Arkansas 72719
479-795-1060
https://www.starlubecenterton.com
Need Service?
More articles from Star Lube & Auto Repair

The Cable Guy (Battery Cables and Maintenance)
October 23, 2025
If you've ever noticed your vehicle's lights are dim or not working at all, the problem could be many things. But one possibility is your battery cables aren't doing their job. A power outage in your vehicle is similar to one in your house and needs to be repaired to get things back to normal. ... More

I Can See Clearly (Wiper Blade Replacement)
October 12, 2025
Warm weather can bring severe storms, and when the rain is coming down hard, that's one time you really need to be able to see as clearly as possible out your windshield. Having wiper blades that are fit for the job are important to maintain that safe view. Maybe you live in a climate where you ... More

Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)
October 5, 2025
We all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it's somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A ball joint all... More
