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Do new rotors require turning before installation?

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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 04:57 AM
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Question Do new rotors require turning before installation?

When installing new rotors during a brake job on these trucks, are you required to turn them before installation or are they ok to install straight out of the box?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 07:40 AM
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Ummm, out of the box. You turn rotors to remove imperfections that come with use. From the box they are perfectly straight.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by alwaysfords41
Ummm, out of the box. You turn rotors to remove imperfections that come with use. From the box they are perfectly straight.
I'm assuming they are straight when new; what I mean is, will the surfacing provided at the factory be sufficient or do you have to turn them them to provide something more than just the shiney surface as you get them out of the box.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 10:12 AM
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I understand the question, they don't have to be turned. Turning is used to remove both ridges from use and/or warpage. The surface finish from the factory is a smooth as a rotor needs to be, it will start grooving from use right away anyway, and of course they don't supply them warped. Turning will not be any smoother than what comes out of the box. I can't think of anything that when new needs to be taken from the box and "fixed". Turning is your enemy anyway - there are minimum thickness specs on the parts and they can only be turned so much before you have to throw them away. Depending on how they wear, you may never get a chance to turn them they may be junk at the first pad change.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 10:13 AM
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the stopping surface will be fine, but sometimes it helps if you "set" the new brake pads. Go find an empty parking lot and do 4 or 5 hard stops from ~45MPH
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 01:40 PM
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You can just take them out of the box and toss them on.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:25 PM
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some say that rotors can warp from sitting on the shelf, depending on how they are stocked. i personally have never seen it and say throw them on.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by vze2sgxa
When installing new rotors during a brake job on these trucks, are you required to turn them before installation or are they ok to install straight out of the box?

That is a loaded question. Answere = Yes /No...

Here is why.

Yes... the surface on them out of thebox is fine. Spray some brake clean to remove oil film, and puttum on.

No... The exeption to the rule. rotors are made, and Brake shoes are made... Not together, and close but not exact tolerances, (Say like boring a cylinder to exact piston). Many times, but often not, you will notice your pads are extremely tight on the rotors when doing a break job. That is when a little off the rotors in necessary. If you leave them tight, it glazes the rotors, or pads, and you get the dreaded squeel, or brake fade.

So do they need turned??? I guess the answer is . It depends.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:31 PM
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you should never need to turn them out of the box. if they warp on the shelf i would take them back. theres something wrong with them plus you can only turn rotors so many time. your wasting money turning them brand new.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:32 PM
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Also... rotors can warp. when improper torqueing of tires is done.

So when you replace your tires, or rotate them. Use the cross pattern and tighten them in succession. Your socket should be on each lug nut at least 3 to 4 times when tightening, and torque to specs only
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Mustang6147
Also... rotors can warp. when improper torqueing of tires is done.

So when you replace your tires, or rotate them. Use the cross pattern and tighten them in succession. Your socket should be on each lug nut at least 3 to 4 times when tightening, and torque to specs only
thats a good point but has nothing to do with turning rotors that are brand new out of the box
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by mountaineer27
thats a good point but has nothing to do with turning rotors that are brand new out of the box
It could though... When you put on new rotors you have to take the tires off and put them back on... When you put them on, and if you dont torque them right, then you could warpum. then they need turned.

They werent like that out of the box, or where they, you would never know. Right???

I saw AFB by your name... Thanks for serving...
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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Oh my god, this is like talking with my wife.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by alwaysfords41
Oh my god, this is like talking with my wife.

Oh my god!!!! I picture little chicken arms falailing around while your exclaiming that
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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I haven't seen a rotor or a drum that needed trueing for years. 35 years ago you would true up rotors and drums before they were put on. But that hasn't been the case for years. They are turned and trued before going into a box. Like was already said clean them and put them on. If they were warped in the box you will know right away as soon as you take it around the block.
 
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