Replacing brakes but I have drilled & slotted rotors- advice?

[UTRacerX9]

Jim, what do your rotors look like? Mine were grooved, so IIRC I spun them 2-3 times, each time taking off about a thousandth or two. I highly doubt it was any special type of lathe I used... This was in 1995 in my high school auto shop, and the thing looked fairly old, certainly not anything fancy.

The only thing that happens when turning a crossdrilled rotor is that the surface around the holes can "chip" and you get tiny little slivers of metal poking into the hole. Wasn't a problem, I used some sandpaper and a dremel to clean up the holes a bit. If stopping power has decreased for you though (and it sounds like your rotors are in pretty decent shape) then I'd change the fluid like you are thinking before messing with the rotors. A set of stainless brake lines may help too, if yours are stock and stretch a bit under pressure.

Also, do you have a Pep Boys near you? I seem to remember hearing that they have a "on-car rotor turning" thing in some locations. Never knew how it worked, but I remember hearing that they could do cross drilled rotors just fine.

[Gearheadvr4]

I eventually found a orileys auto parts that turned them for me. They didn't want to and I had to promise I wouldn't drive on them. Those guys are really paranoid. They did it off the books.

They turned out great though. I got out all the old break fluid and everything is working perfect now.

[Jimvr4]

Jim, what do your rotors look like? Mine were grooved, so IIRC I spun them 2-3 times, each time taking off about a thousandth or two. I highly doubt it was any special type of lathe I used... This was in 1995 in my high school auto shop, and the thing looked fairly old, certainly not anything fancy.

The only thing that happens when turning a crossdrilled rotor is that the surface around the holes can "chip" and you get tiny little slivers of metal poking into the hole. Wasn't a problem, I used some sandpaper and a dremel to clean up the holes a bit. If stopping power has decreased for you though (and it sounds like your rotors are in pretty decent shape) then I'd change the fluid like you are thinking before messing with the rotors. A set of stainless brake lines may help too, if yours are stock and stretch a bit under pressure.

Also, do you have a Pep Boys near you? I seem to remember hearing that they have a "on-car rotor turning" thing in some locations. Never knew how it worked, but I remember hearing that they could do cross drilled rotors just fine.

They still look pretty much like this. I think the photo was shot 1-2 years ago. The holes are not through - just dimples. Not a bad idea on the stainless lines, I do have a few flared wrenches for them. I think I might just do the lines, new pads and fluid and see how they do. Will the new pads bed in properly given they are the same compound as the old ones?

I eventually found a orileys auto parts that turned them for me. They didn't want to and I had to promise I wouldn't drive on them. Those guys are really paranoid. They did it off the books.

They turned out great though. I got out all the old break fluid and everything is working perfect now.

What did they think you would do with them, use as frisbees?

I have pep boys, kragen (Oriley) and autozone so I guess I could call around and see what they say.

BTW, I'm definitely a fan of your rims

[Gearheadvr4]

They were just worried they would crack or it would take off too much material. These rotors seem to be decent quality so no cracking so far.

Thanks on the rims. They are Blitz Type 03 imported from Japan. Pretty light and extremely strong. Unfortunately discontinued and about the only way to get more is to find some used. I searched literally for years and finally got an extra set off a guy on Supraforums. I now have 8 matched rims that will hopefully last me the life of the car. My wife nearly left me when she found out they are over $600 each.

[Jimvr4]

I paid $15 each and my local auto parts store machined them flat. I had low spots near the outside edge on the fronts and they had to machine them down almost to the minimum but came out good. I bought these rotors 8 years ago so I can't complain