Ridges on my brake rotors

[jaybertx]

01 GT. My brakes have felt "funny" to me for a few days. Not all of the time but every so often I feel like they're not working perfectly. It only happens occasionally so I kept forgetting that it was happening. So yesterday when I came home I checked all of my brakes and found that I could feel ridges in my front rotors . I can feel ridges in them with my finger. The brake pads look fine.

Is this the reason to have rotors turned? Or can I possibly have another underlying issue?

Thanks!

 

[bdcardinal]

generally rotors dont get turned unless you are changing pads. how many miles since the last brake job. i would want to take the brakes off and inspect them and look for any obvious signs of a problem. the rotor might also be warped. if they are warped i wouldnt suggest turning them, just get new ones.

 

[DerekStangGT]

01 GT. My brakes have felt "funny" to me for a few days. Not all of the time but every so often I feel like they're not working perfectly. It only happens occasionally so I kept forgetting that it was happening. So yesterday when I came home I checked all of my brakes and found that I could feel ridges in my front rotors . I can feel ridges in them with my finger. The brake pads look fine.

Is this the reason to have rotors turned? Or can I possibly have another underlying issue?

Thanks!

there are many reasons you could have these "ridges". hitting the brakes hard in the rain may warp them since the rotars are hot and cool water splashes on them and could warp them. if they are not very smooth or are very glassy, you should definitly get them turned/cut along with some new pads. mine are getting there. mine are developing a lip around the edge though. if they get too bad, the shop wont be able to turn them within spec and you'll need new rotors.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

You do not need to do anything unless your pads are worn out. If your pads are ok, just keep driving it.

Heck I used to have an old Honda Civic that had serious grooves in the rotors. New pads would simply conform to the high and low spots. I wouldn't treat my Mustang that way though...

When you do your pads next time, address the rotor issue and take corrective action as necessary and as recommended in the other posts in this thread.

 

[DerekStangGT]

You do not need to do anything unless your pads are worn out. If your pads are ok, just keep driving it.

Heck I used to have an old Honda Civic that had serious grooves in the rotors. New pads would simply conform to the high and low spots. I wouldn't treat my Mustang that way though...

When you do your pads next time, address the rotor issue and take corrective action as necessary and as recommended in the other posts in this thread.

i disagree. after my study of disc brakes, ive learned that the ridges are caused by uneven pad wear. not only are there ridges that can be felt, but i promise you there are valleys that you cant even feel w/ your fingers, but you would see if you got a micrometer on them. this drastically affects braking performance and should be addressed ASAP. both the pads and rotors should be corrected. new pads w/ existing rotors is a stupid move and just a waste of $$$. you need new pads and get the rotors turned. cutting rotors cost all of $50 and about the same for pads. another hundred for labor, thats $200.....chump change.

 

[CanadaStang]

Have you ever let the pads get worn down so far that the rivets in the pads were grinding on the rotors? I don't think I'd bother getting the rotors cut, just get new ones. If you can feel ridges they won't be able the cut them down far enough any way and still have them within spec. You can buy new rotors for not much more than having them cut anyway. If you just put on new pads they will wear into the grooves again in no time.

 

[Sharkster]

i disagree. after my study of disc brakes, ive learned that the ridges are caused by uneven pad wear. not only are there ridges that can be felt, but i promise you there are valleys that you cant even feel w/ your fingers, but you would see if you got a micrometer on them. this drastically affects braking performance and should be addressed ASAP. both the pads and rotors should be corrected. new pads w/ existing rotors is a stupid move and just a waste of $$$. you need new pads and get the rotors turned. cutting rotors cost all of $50 and about the same for pads. another hundred for labor, thats $200.....chump change.

hell, save the other hundred and do it yourself.

 

[Mike97gt]

i disagree. after my study of disc brakes, ive learned that the ridges are caused by uneven pad wear. not only are there ridges that can be felt, but i promise you there are valleys that you cant even feel w/ your fingers, but you would see if you got a micrometer on them. this drastically affects braking performance and should be addressed ASAP. both the pads and rotors should be corrected. new pads w/ existing rotors is a stupid move and just a waste of $$$. you need new pads and get the rotors turned. cutting rotors cost all of $50 and about the same for pads. another hundred for labor, thats $200.....chump change.

after you drive the car with the new pads and rotors you will realize... "wow my cars brakes really sucked before this" when i first got my car my brakes were like this guys.. and a few weeks ago i did 4 wheel brakes with new rotors and WOW what a difference... it's day and night...

 

[DerekStangGT]

Have you ever let the pads get worn down so far that the rivets in the pads were grinding on the rotors? I don't think I'd bother getting the rotors cut, just get new ones. If you can feel ridges they won't be able the cut them down far enough any way and still have them within spec. You can buy new rotors for not much more than having them cut anyway. If you just put on new pads they will wear into the grooves again in no time.

sorry, but i gotta speak up again. he would have no problem turning the rotors and still having them within spec if this is the firt time theyve been turned. ford has some pretty lenient tolerances. if its the second or third, then go ahead and spend the extra money for new rotors to be on the safe side. however, it would be cheaper to just get the rotors turned rather than buy new rotors. unless of course you bought the cheap Autozone or O'Reillys brand rotors, which i wouldnt recommend for a performance car. maybe a beater, but not a stang.

 

[CanadaStang]

sorry, but i gotta speak up again. he would have no problem turning the rotors and still having them within spec if this is the firt time theyve been turned. ford has some pretty lenient tolerances. if its the second or third, then go ahead and spend the extra money for new rotors to be on the safe side. however, it would be cheaper to just get the rotors turned rather than buy new rotors. unless of course you bought the cheap Autozone or O'Reillys brand rotors, which i wouldnt recommend for a performance car. maybe a beater, but not a stang.

New disc thinkness is 1.030 min is .970 If you can feel grooves in the rotors, chances are you won't be able to grind them that much and still it will be within spec.
New rotors from Ford are only $89 bucks each. You can buy slotted rotors for not much more http://www.online-racer.com/rotors.htm
If you get them ground lower than Ford specs you will have to replace them if you have to take the car in for a safety inspection[if you have inspections in your area]. They are also more prone to warpage. Trust me, been there done that.