When To Replace And When To Repair Cadillac Brake Rotors

It can be a chore to figure out whether you should re-surface or replace your brake rotors. To be sure the rotors can be resurfaced, you've got to measure and inspect each rotor.  Do your rotors have plenty of life left in them? Are the rotors worn beyond repair, or are they salvageable?

This guide will help you figure out how to wisely invest your money when it comes to dealing with worn rotors.

How To Resurface A Brake Rotor

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First, let’s talk about how you can repair a rotor. The only way to repair a rotor is to resurface it with a brake lathe machine. Resurfacing your rotors means shaving down the surfaces until they’re smooth again. This can be a cost-effective way to remove:

• Minor grooves
• Corrosion
• Other irregularities

But is it actually a better solution than replacing the rotors?

Resurfacing Your Rotors: Pros And Cons

In some cases, resurfacing your rotors is a good solution. To figure out if it’s a good solution for you, take a look at the pros and cons:

The Only Pro Of Resurfacing Your Rotors

Cost is the primary benefit of resurfacing your rotors. Resurfacing is cheaper than buying brand new rotors. It usually costs $40-$50 per rotor.

Before setting out to have your rotors resurfaced, take the time to figure out if it's the best option for you. The rotors have to have no issues other than minor wear to be resurfaced. The "cons" section has a list of factors to consider before deciding to resurface your rotors.

The Cons Of Resurfacing Your Rotors

Resurfacing your rotors sounds good on paper. Yet, it isn't always a great solution. Here are the cons:

• Resurfacing removes material from the rotor, which shortens its life.
• You'll have to pay a shop for their labor to resurface a rotor. After they are done, you'll have rotors that don't have much life left in them.
• The cost of resurfacing is low, but not too much lower than buying rotors and replacing them yourself.

If your rotors are slightly worn, and have no unusual issues, then resurfacing is the best way to go. Otherwise, you want to replace your rotors.

Replacing Your Rotors: Pros And Cons

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Let's explore the pros and cons of replacing your rotors:

The Pros Of Replacing Your Rotors

Replacing your rotors is a smart choice in many situations because:

• It's easier: You don't have to inspect your old rotors. You also don't have to figure out if resurfacing the rotors will do the trick. There's no need to figure out if all of your rotors will be the same size after resurfacing.
• It's convenient: You can order new rotors online, and replace them yourself.
• It can be more cost effective in the long run: If your rotors are halfway done, it might be cheaper to replace them instead of resurfacing them.

The Only Con Of Replacing Your Rotors

Often times, cost is the only reason GM vehicle owners decide to resurface their rotors instead of replacing them. Brand new rotors can cost a lot of money.

Replacement Rotors Don’t Have To Be Expensive

At GM Parts Center, we offer steep discounts for genuine OEM GM parts. You will save a lot of money by ordering replacement rotors from us. Visit our catalog and then look up your GM model for a list of rotors made for your car.