Subaru Brake Discs

The slots on brake discs allow heat to dissipate easily, so the brakes will run cooler. The grooves on the discs also prevent water buildup in case of rain, flood, and wet conditions and also give gas a place to escape so that the friction surface will be clean. These also help reduce wear and add friction to the surface.

The holes allow water, gas, and excess heat to be vented out. Drilled discs can improve braking performance. However, they're prone to cracking around the holes. To make up for this vulnerability, some manufacturers use more solid materials for discs that are designed with drilled holes.

Vented brake discs are manufactured out of two friction surfaces. These friction surfaces have numerous vanes. Air easily circulates around the discs, keeping them cool. The network of vanes, meanwhile, makes up a vortex. With this design, hot gas and air are efficiently drawn away. These brake discs maintain cleanliness and handle heat very well. They're also very durable. As you search for these discs, you'll come across different options, as these are available in varied designs. They come in straight and spiral designs and may be slotted or cross-drilled for improved braking power. Vented discs can be used only on certain vehicle models.

You don't have to replace the rotors right away. With grooves on the surface and uneven wear, you can turn the rotors to fix the problem. When turning a rotor, the disc is machined so that the surface will become smooth and flat. This can be done in a machine shop or by a skilled home mechanic. However, if the disc is too thin and already damaged badly, replacement will be a better option. Also note that there's a limit when turning the rotor. This can be turned once or twice and not on a regular basis. Otherwise, the disc may crack.

Turning the rotors saves you money. It's not as expensive as buying a new set of brake discs. If the rotors are properly turned and turning is done within the limit, you'll get discs with a smooth surface. With this smooth surface, braking distance will be shorter. Brake noise and vibration will be minimized as well. This can extend the life of the brake pads.

They say that you should only turn the brake disc once or twice before they thin out and wear out. But to be more specific, the discs should be turned and smoothed out within the manufacturer's specifications. They have to be within the minimum thickness measurement. You can usually find this information stamped on the discs. You can also check the service manuals. If the discs have deep grooves or cracks, then replacing them would be a safer, more reliable repair solution.

Warped rotors typically exhibit these symptoms: pulsating brake pedal, grinding noise, and vibrating steering wheel. You may also hear some brake noise and notice ridges on the rotor. Brake pad failure and a worn-out wheel hub assembly may indicate problems with the rotors, along with braking irregularities such as abrupt stops. To prevent severe rotor damage, make sure that the brake pads are replaced as needed. You know that you have a braking system problem if you take note of these early warning signs. If you hear some high-pitched noise or squealing, grinding, or growling when hitting the brakes, then you should check the system to figure out what's causing this. Other signs include sinking or non-responsive brakes, which could be caused by leaks, and a car pulling to one side. If the vibration is felt in the pedal and steering wheel, the problem is usually in the front brakes. But, if the pulsation is felt through the seat and pedal, then the problem lies in the rear brakes.