Most car owners in Fairview Heights, IL can tell when something is wrong with their brakes. Brake rotors are known as brake discs that provide a friction surface for brake pads to grab onto. These disc brake rotors are metal discs that work together with the brake pads as well as the calipers to show the vehicle. These brake rotors are bolted directly to the wheel hub so that they can spin in direct relation to wheel speed. This rotor is sandwiched between two brake pads. When these brake pedals are depressed, the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the spinning rotors to slow and stop the wheels and the vehicle.
With modern cars, they are equipped with either two-wheel or even a four-wheel disc brake. The four-wheel disc brake system has a rotor at each of the wheels, whereas a two-wheel system just has the rotors in the front and then the drum brakes in the back of the vehicle.
Types of Brake Rotors
The two basic types of rotors that are currently in use are solid and vented. Solid rotors are one solid piece as the name does imply. This is relatively inexpensive depending on the type of rotor that is generally used in small cars. Vented rotors are cast with fins between the two-disc faces. With this in mind, the fins are designed to distribute air to cool the rotors, while improving braking performance. These rotors work to slow the vehicle by using friction from direct contact with the brake pads. They do wear out over time and will eventually need to be replaced.
Scoring and grooves in a rotor can impede its needed capacity to then slow the vehicle. They also cause vibration and pulsation that can also be felt in the pedal. With this, the pedal no longer can interact with the brake rotor, thus ensuring vibration that may make it feel like the car will not stop at all. The inability to stop or even extend stopping the distances can be highly dangerous, especially if the driver is forced to make a needed stop.
The rotors that we are talking about should be serviced in pairs. This should be either both front rotors or rear rotors. Whenever they are resurfaced or replaced, the brake pads should be changed out as well. To replace the brake rotors, our technician will first lift the said car and then remove the wheels. The brake calipers, rotors, and pads are also removed and checked. The new pads are then installed, and then the rotors, calipers, and wheels are replaced. This occurs if there are no further repairs that are needed.
If you have more questions about your vehicle’s rotor, give our team at Rowan Tire & Auto Repair a call today!
