Replacing Rotor
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Jefferson City, MO
Replacing Rotor
I have to replace the front disc brakes on my 89 F150 4x4 and only one rotor is in bad shape, so bad that I sure it can not be turned. So the question is can I just replace one rotor if the other looks and feels fine? Thanks
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46
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From: Jefferson City, MO
Thanks,
I was planning on replacing both pads as well. Are there any special tools I need to change the pads, rotor? I want to make sure I am fully prepared before I rip into it all.
I was planning on replacing both pads as well. Are there any special tools I need to change the pads, rotor? I want to make sure I am fully prepared before I rip into it all.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Since it's a 4x4, you will need a couple special tools. A pick set comes in handy, but is not necessary. Snap ring pliers are a must have, and you'll need a spindle nut socket for the spindle nuts. At one point, there was a good tech article around on replacing the ball joints, which obviously included all the information you need to get the rotors off as well.
Oh, and another thing. When you get the rotor off, you have to use a punch to drive the studs out, and a punch and a BFH to press them back in. At which point you will need to get the rotor turned, because pressing the lugs back in will warp the rotor.
I've had to run the rotor on the lathe three times to get them true again. I wouldn't advise skipping this step, you'll regret it - trust me.
Oh, and another thing. When you get the rotor off, you have to use a punch to drive the studs out, and a punch and a BFH to press them back in. At which point you will need to get the rotor turned, because pressing the lugs back in will warp the rotor.
I've had to run the rotor on the lathe three times to get them true again. I wouldn't advise skipping this step, you'll regret it - trust me.
Last edited by andym; Sep 13, 2004 at 06:30 PM.
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From: Mountain Top, Pa
I have to disagree.......The best thing to do is to replace both rotors. The new pads will be pressed against different sized rotors and you will eventually develop a pull, Plus the pads will wear unevenly. Even if you machine 1 rotor and replace 1 rotor....you run the risk of this happening.
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The above will NOT happen.
It is perfectly safe (and commonly done) to replace only one rotor or drum per side. You are not prone to developing any of the above mentioned problems.
I'm not trying to start an argument, but there are a lot of myths regarding car repair that aren't true.
My justification for saying this is that I worked in one of the most reputable brake shops in Las Vegas. We had people drive in from over an hour away to get their brakes done. In addition to being an honest shop, we did quality work, and the manager was a brake expert in every sense of the word.
It is perfectly safe (and commonly done) to replace only one rotor or drum per side. You are not prone to developing any of the above mentioned problems.
I'm not trying to start an argument, but there are a lot of myths regarding car repair that aren't true.
My justification for saying this is that I worked in one of the most reputable brake shops in Las Vegas. We had people drive in from over an hour away to get their brakes done. In addition to being an honest shop, we did quality work, and the manager was a brake expert in every sense of the word.
Last edited by andym; Sep 13, 2004 at 09:42 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Ashland City, TN
i dont suggest not doing things in pairs on brakes unless its in a pinch, or the other side is really new.
if you have a rotor that is say 1 inch thick on your drivers side lets say.
And your pasenger side needs to be replaced.
You replace that rotor with a new one, and its 1 and 1/4 inches.
That drivers side calapur takes MORE pressure to compress then the passenger side, ALl breaking will begin on the passenger side first, because its the first to compress tight. so then your vehicle will pull.
LIke i said, in a pinch its okay. But i would replace both front rotors, and all 4 pads, unless the pads are in really good shape, but its more worth it to put new pads on those new rotors. =) better on the rotors.
You can turn rotors granted, but why take the trouble of haveing to do it a second time for no reason.
Yes. 4x4's have more work as mentinoed above.
if you have a rotor that is say 1 inch thick on your drivers side lets say.
And your pasenger side needs to be replaced.
You replace that rotor with a new one, and its 1 and 1/4 inches.
That drivers side calapur takes MORE pressure to compress then the passenger side, ALl breaking will begin on the passenger side first, because its the first to compress tight. so then your vehicle will pull.
LIke i said, in a pinch its okay. But i would replace both front rotors, and all 4 pads, unless the pads are in really good shape, but its more worth it to put new pads on those new rotors. =) better on the rotors.
You can turn rotors granted, but why take the trouble of haveing to do it a second time for no reason.
Yes. 4x4's have more work as mentinoed above.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Originally Posted by Talyn
if you have a rotor that is say 1 inch thick on your drivers side lets say.
And your pasenger side needs to be replaced.
You replace that rotor with a new one, and its 1 and 1/4 inches.
That drivers side calapur takes MORE pressure to compress then the passenger side, ALl breaking will begin on the passenger side first, because its the first to compress tight. so then your vehicle will pull.
And your pasenger side needs to be replaced.
You replace that rotor with a new one, and its 1 and 1/4 inches.
That drivers side calapur takes MORE pressure to compress then the passenger side, ALl breaking will begin on the passenger side first, because its the first to compress tight. so then your vehicle will pull.
Differences between rotor thicknesses are measured in thousandths of inches, not quarters.
If one rotor is a little thicker than the other, the only difference is the caliper is slightly less compressed on the thinner rotor. The caliper has a little more fluid in it. When you step on the brake pedal, fluid gets pushed out of the master cylinder and into the line. If the calipers are in good shape, then the same amount of force will be applied to each side.
Calipers, wheel cylinders, pads, and shoes need to be replaced in pairs, but rotors and drums do not.
I've replaced one rotor or one drum MANY, MANY times on vehicles - they never pull on a test drive, and customers don't come back with any more uneven wear or pulling problems than those who need both rotors or drums replaced.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 544
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From: BC, Canada
The only thing I will add to this is, drums should be within .010 or .020" in diameter of each other. If one is replaced and the other one has been turned a couple of times, the drums will heat and cool at different rates. So they will fade at different rates. It makes sense that the rotors should be the same thickness. I have always had my drums the same diameter and my rotors the same thickness. ...Terry
Last edited by Overkill-F1; Sep 13, 2004 at 11:44 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
Regardless of one shop's practice, and one guy saying that it ain't true, make your own decision. Use common sense, and do a Google search on your computer. I typed in "replace brake in pairs". Every single thread or site states that ALL brake parts should be replaced in pairs for best brake performance. Not one single site voices the opinion that the practice is a myth. It's kind of like building an engine. You get the cylinders bored and honed by a machine shop. The engine would run just fine if you just stuck the rings on the pistons, and assembled the engine. But if you check the ring gap on every single piston, and file fit the ring gap so that each and every one is exactly the same, you wil get just a little better performance out of that engine. Paying attention to detail, is what sets apart the people who get the job done, from the people who get the job done as good as it possibly CAN be done. We could get into it further, and discuss rotors with unmatched friction coefficient values (a good reason to change in pairs), but I feel I've made my point.
Last edited by stevef100s; Sep 14, 2004 at 05:29 AM.
