Do I need to replace my rotors?

Hey all

So my girlfriend has an 08 Cobalt Sport (not SS) with the 2.4L Eco in it. She has the 18" stock wheels (wide spoke) that you see on the SS. I know she needs brake pads but I am not sure if the rotors need to be replaced or refinished. There is a slight grinding when you brake hard but it doesnt seem to shimmy or pull. I was wondering if there is a certain thickness that the rotor should not be less than that i could measure with some calipers? And/or is there a way to check or visually inspect if the rotors need to be refinished?

My concern is that if i replace the pads and the rotors are still bad that i really fix anything.

I would appreciate any tips or suggestions (i dont want to take it somewhere to get the rotors inspected, unless you know of a place that wouldnt charge you for that... doubtful of that though)

Thanks!

depends if you wanna go cheap or not . no shake ..... i wouldnt replace the rotors ... pads have a metal tab to make the grinding noise when you need pads .

just wondering . you have 5 lugs or 4 lug and are the rear drums ?

Got ya. 5 lug. Discs front and rear. Same setup as an SS (just doesnt have a turbo/supercharger)

Is there any way to tell if the rotors are warped or not? I found out that there is a stamp on the rotor that gives you a minimum thickness that the rotors can be. So i know they are within that tolerance... just want to know if they are warped now.

I have the same question! When I'm braking from 60mph to 15mph for a turn into my neighborhood (I live off a hwy) my steering wheel pulls to the right and i get shaking as well. I know they need to be replaced but my general question is, should I switch to a aftermarket set-up or not?

If you feel a pulsing when braking or the steering wheel shakes. Then it's time for new rotors.

kawkinurjawl said:

I have the same question! When I'm braking from 60mph to 15mph for a turn into my neighborhood (I live off a hwy) my steering wheel pulls to the right and i get shaking as well. I know they need to be replaced but my general question is, should I switch to a aftermarket set-up or not?

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This can be caused by your alignment too.

kawkinurjawl said:

I have the same question! When I'm braking from 60mph to 15mph for a turn into my neighborhood (I live off a hwy) my steering wheel pulls to the right and i get shaking as well. I know they need to be replaced but my general question is, should I switch to a aftermarket set-up or not?

Click to expand...

blu3_v1p3r said:

This can be caused by your alignment too.

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not so much of an alignment issue here. If he's getting pulsation and pull it's warped rotors. the pull to the right is caused by one wheel supplying more braking force because the other is warped or warped worse.

---------- Post added at 06:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ----------

skogz16 said:

Got ya. 5 lug. Discs front and rear. Same setup as an SS (just doesnt have a turbo/supercharger)

Is there any way to tell if the rotors are warped or not? I found out that there is a stamp on the rotor that gives you a minimum thickness that the rotors can be. So i know they are within that tolerance... just want to know if they are warped now.

Click to expand...

use a dial indicator to check the run out. also are they smooth? Drag your finger nail across the surface like nails on a chalk board it shouldn't catch.