Can You Refinish Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

Rotors are essential parts of a car's braking system. Because of the nature of their work, they can wear down easily. Car owners often wonder if they can refinish drilled and slotted rotors. If you're curious to know what the answer is, keep reading. We did our research on the topic to satisfy your curiosity.

You can refinish drilled and slotted rotors. However, a professional with the right equipment should do the job because of the precision needed to ensure the quality of the rotors.

In this article, you will learn more about drilled and slotted rotors and the concerns that come with trying to refinish them. Additionally, you'll learn the benefits of refinishing drilled and slotted rotors and what signs to look out for with damaged rotors. 

Is It Possible To Refinish Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

You can refinish drilled and slotted rotors. The rotors should be structurally sound, with no warping, damage, or rust. Otherwise, it might not be possible to refinish them for use.

You should have a professional mechanic do the refinishing because of the precision required.

Car discs brake rotors, drilled, slotted, non-drilled.

What Are The Benefits Of Refinishing Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

Refinishing drilled and slotted rotors does have benefits

Boosts Performance

Over time, your rotors will experience a drop in performance. Refinishing them will help boost their performance.

When they are refinished, their ability to generate friction will be at its maximum. The result will be like night and day once you start driving.

Longer Lifespan

If your rotors seem damaged, you should have a professional examine the problem. From there, you can ask if it's possible to extend your rotors' lifespan.

Normally, if your rotors are fairly new and there's no structural damage, you can have a professional refinish them. This can increase the lifespan of your rotors. 

What Are The Downsides To Resurfacing Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

There are also drawbacks to refinishing drilled and slotted rotors.

Reduces Quality

The most obvious concern many people express is the reduced quality. When refinishing drilled and slotted rotors, it's inevitable for the rotor to thin out.

When that happens, the rotors can be more susceptible to wear and heat. The material reduction could also cause a slight shift when it comes to balance.

Cost And Time

While refinishing rotors may save you money, overdoing them may cause you to lose money in the long run. You need to know when it's time to stop and get a replacement.

Refinishing rotors takes time. Due to how precise the cuts need to be, it can take an hour to finish just one rotor. And all that labor adds up.

On top of that, if something were to go wrong during the refinishing process, you'll just end up buying a replacement rotor.

Overall Safety

Most importantly, the main concern people have with refinishing drilled and slotted rotors is safety. If the thickness of the rotor is off even the tiniest bit, it could make a big difference when you drive.

When the material of the rotors becomes too thin, it can impact your car's internal brake system, which can lead to accidents on the road.

What Are The Signs Of Damaged Rotors?

Close-up of Wear And Damage on the brake rotors surface ,need to be replaced.

Here are some of the most common signs of faulty rotors:

Squealing Noises

When you step on the brake and hear a loud squealing noise, it's time to check your rotors.

Rotors with significant wear have uneven surfaces and edges, so when you apply force to the brake pedal, the grooves and holes don't quite line up. The result is a squealing noise every time you step on the brakes.

Takes Longer To Brake

Squealing noises are not the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to worn-out rotors. An uneven surface can cause your rotors to decrease in working efficiency.

The result is a longer waiting time for the brakes to take effect. In some cases, the brakes may stop working, causing you to crash.

Steering Wheel Vibrates

When your rotors become uneven due to wear and the intense heat caused by friction, an imbalance will form in your car. Once you apply pressure to the brake pedal, the imbalance will cause your car to vibrate.

This is most noticeable in the steering wheel. The same is true with your brake pedal, as it will vibrate when you apply pressure.

Scratches And Uneven Edges

Brake rotors are not immune to scratches. That's because small rocks and debris on the road will often hit between the rotor and the brake pad underneath the car.

Vehicles with drilled and slotted rotors run into this problem more than usual. As a result, the debris can get in between the brake pad and the rotor. This can damage the rotor, making replacement necessary.

Additionally, the wear and tear on the rotors can cause uneven edges. If you want to find out when it's time to refinish or replace your rotors, just check the edges of the inner and outer surfaces of the rotors. From there, you can tell how much of its material has disintegrated due to unevenness.

Warning Lights

Pay attention to the dashboard of your car. Many cars have dashboard warning lights that will tell the driver if there's something wrong.

That's why it's never a good idea to ignore any flashing light on your dashboard. It will alert you whether or not you have a faulty brake rotor or other problem. For more information about warning lights in your car, it's best to consult the user manual.

How Much Do Brake Rotors Cost?

Close-up of car six slot brake rotor. - Can You Refinish Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

It all depends on the type of vehicle you own. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $120 per quality rotor.

For drilled and slotted rotors, though, the price will go up. In exchange, you're improving the quality and performance of your brake rotors.

Check out this replacement brake pad and rotor kit on Amazon.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Drilled And Slotted Rotors?

Car mechanic installing a new six slot brake rotors.

Drilled and slotted rotors are a combination of two types of rotors, hence the name. As such, they offer the benefits of both while keeping their concerns at a minimum.

For starters, this type of rotor works well in climates with frequent heavy rainfall. Because the drilled holes allow for water to escape easily, this type of rotor allows for safer travel on wet roads. This can improve your vehicle's overall braking capability.

Are Drilled And Slotted Rotors Worth It?

You might wonder if upgrading to drilled and slotted rotors is worth it. There are a few things that you need to consider.

First, drilled and slotted rotors are more expensive than their counterparts because it takes skill and precision to machine the rotors. This is why you usually find them in sports cars or in trucks that need sturdy rotors to handle their loads.

Also, regular rotors work just as well as drilled, slotted rotors—if not better at times—for everyday driving in a normal setting. If you're not towing heavy vehicles with your car and or driving in rough terrain, then think twice before switching rotors.

However, it's all up to you. You can consult a mechanic and ask for advice on whether or not your car truly needs an upgrade.

To Wrap Up

Auto mechanic installing disc brake caliper bracket.

You can refinish drilled, slotted rotors. If you want to boost the performance and longevity of your  rotors, refinishing them is a good option.

Make sure to take your car to a professional mechanic who has the correct equipment for the job. Otherwise, you could end up having to replace the rotors.

If you found this post helpful, check out these related articles:

Is It Safe To Drive With Rusted Rotors? [Here's What You Need To Know!]

Is It Safe To Drive With A Shaking Steering Wheel? [Here's What You Need To Know!]

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