Brake rotor resurfacing
Shaving a thin layer off the brake discs so the pads grip a smooth, flat surface.
In plain English
Rotors are the shiny metal discs behind your wheels that the brake pads squeeze to stop the car. Resurfacing (also called turning or machining) means shaving a very thin layer of metal off each rotor so the surface is smooth and flat again.
Why it's on your estimate
Shops suggest it during a brake job when the rotors have grooves, uneven wear, or cause a pulsing feeling in the brake pedal. Every rotor has a minimum thickness stamped on it; if shaving would take it below that, it must be replaced instead.
How urgent is it?
Fix soon
It is normally done together with new pads rather than on its own. Grinding noises or a strongly pulsing pedal mean the brakes should be checked promptly.
Questions to ask the shop
- How thick are the rotors now compared with the minimum?
- Would new rotors cost about the same as resurfacing these?
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