Mark in Baltimore

I never said that the price you paid did not exist. You're getting a screaming deal on turned rotors at $7/disc; I wonder what percentage of Porsche mechanics across the country would be able to do it for that paltry sum.

ca993twin

I have always resisted the temptation to turn rotors simply to eliminate the unsightly longitudinal grooves. I'd rather keep the rotor as thick as possible. The new pads will quickly conform to the the grooves of the rotor, and think of all the extra pad contact are you've gained. This has never caused any squealing in the past. I think that brake shops over-sell rotor turning to an uninformed public. Just bed those new pads VERY carefully!

nine9six

ORIGINAL POST:

Ed,
Lets try to stay on point here...

Standard engineering practice, does not equate to me being enamored with Porsche engineers...

I was responding to the OP, not your potential driving habits or specifics.

Maybe, in a separate post, we should start a poll to see how many do a full brake refresh, including new pads, rotors, and fluid flush on an annual basis.

I'm right there with you on an annual brake system inspection and a fluid flush, but not a complete refresh, in sticking to the OP point.

I think with all that we want to do to these cars and the slippery slope as it is, most (not all) would find the aforementioned $900 + refresh, excessive if not unnecessary on an annual basis.

Peace out, my brother

Mark,
I agree I am getting a great deal...I have been going to this same machine shop for years and years...I use an automotive performance machine shop, not a middle man Porsche mechanic who needs to send rotors out to be machined...This takes a Porsche mechanic time and touch, which as we all know = $. I'm a DIY kinda guy.

I am only relating my experience...Your results may vary!

Van1

I agree. I've swapped out pads many times on my 993 (between street Hawk HPS and track HT-10) and have never turned the rotors. Did replace the fronts at around 50k mi with new. I'm on my third set of pads on my '07 Touareg with 56k mi and have never turned the rotors. I don't understand the point of turning rotors. Pads will adapt to the rotor. I think that turning rotors is like changing oil every 3k mi. Something your old man did so you do.

Van1

nine9six,
That you can get rotors turned for $7 each is a great deal even if its not really worth the effort. I'm having a hard time figuring how the money pencils out for those that turn rotors at $7. How long does it take to turn a rotor from setup to finish? Between labor, wear and tear on the lathe, and shop overhead, I don't see how it works out.

nine9six

Are you familiar with a rotor turning machine and what surfaces need to be parallel and concentric with each other? Have you ever turned or blanchard ground a rotor yourself?

I measure my rotors in 4 places and record my dims on the rotors in felt tip marker. I stone any high spots from the locating faces of my rotors, prior to going to the machine shop.

Once the proper mandrel has been selected, the machinist slaps a dial indicator on the rotor to note runnout. If a skim cut can be performed which removes runnout, but does not exceed min. rotor thickness, (simple math based upon my recorded dims) the cut is made. This is all automatic and takes a machinist maybe 10 mins. of his actual hands on time based upon my prep work. Once the machine is started, the machinist goes onto something else until the cut is finished...Next rotor is slapped onto the machine and checked with a dial indicator (2 mins).

Having been a machinist for 15 yrs in my earlier days, I am well aware of the prep work that needs to be done, and the datum references that need to be respected in order to result in a properly turned rotor. Maybe its my knowledge and DIY skills that enable the machinist to use as little of his time which results in the $7 per rotor turning fee he charges. Speaking the same language (using correct machinist nomenclature) doesn't hurt, either

Van1

The only grinding I've ever done was prepping samples post heat treating on a parallel grinder for Rockwell hardness testing and effective case depth analysis.

My paternal grandfather was a machinist and my maternal grandfather was a metallurgist if that counts for anything. I did a 3 year stint in a heat treating company as a quality control/furnace operator but admittedly I've been a military officer for the last 18 years.

JDHertz11

Let nine9six cut his rotors until he's happy. He seems to be the only unhappy party here. In the meantime I'll replace mine...

Ed Hughes

Where did ANNUAL refresh ever come into the conversation??

nine9six

Quoted from your response, Ed.

JD, What makes you think I am unhappy with the way you chose to waste your own money? You can burn it for heat for all I care...
I find this the case when dollars exceeds sense!

Ed Hughes

Paul, my response did not say anything about an annual refresh. The keyword was "amortized", meaning if one amortizes the total cost of a refresh-let's use the $1000 figure-it really isn't too expensive on an annual basis. Let's say 5000 miles a year, and let's say 8 years-$125 annual amortization. Of course, a tracked or AX'd car would need more frequent expenditure.

To think one needs to completely replace brake components annually is totally silly.

JDHertz11

You and Quad must be friends. Nobody likes to be given their own opinion and you sir, seem to not understand that. Talking trash about others and their thoughts is ok to a point. This is the Internet. In the real world someone would just get up and walk away and stop listening after a while, now is that time...

nine9six

Ed,
My apologies...this is where I got the reference that I believed to be your post regarding a full brake refresh on an annual basis. I boldfaced the text that gave me the impression that this is what you were saying...

It is also my belief and opinion that turned rotors do not result in a soft brake pedal...That would be the hydraulic braking system, including lines, moisture, hoses, seals, calipers, caliper bleed valves...The list goes on and on...

Happy New Year and great job on Sapphire clutch, and while you were in there work...Fantastic write-up and fun to follow!
Cheers,
Paul

Ed Hughes

Thanks Paul!

My reference to soft brake pedal was from excessive heat generated at the track, hence my severe aversion to turning rotors, and losing any mass at all in the rotors.

saneproductions

I did the belt sander trick and no more squeak! Still have 50-60% on the brakes. Will do everything when it is time to change them.