Re-drill Cross drilled rotors? - Benzworld.org

ssounit · 06-19-2008, 10:18 PM

Hi all,
I'm a newbie to this forum but I have learned a wealth of knowledge so far. I've done a search for my question but have not been bale to find an answer. It's time for my front brakes to be serviced ( I have 23k on OEM pads and rotors) and they are cross drilled. My local delaer is telling me that I don't need the rotors turned but that they do need to re-drill the cross drilled holes because of brake dust build up. Does this sound right? I've never heard of such a thing and I'm hoping to get some feed back from all the informative people here. I appreciate your responses. Also should I stay with OEM replacement pads or do dealers carry other brands that don't produce so much brake dust. This is the first vehicle I have had that has produced so much brake dust.

Chris Gaines · 06-20-2008, 12:09 AM

The dealer needs to put it down

Just buy new oem or aftermarket rotors

FrankW · 06-20-2008, 06:06 AM

chris gaines, sorry...but you should put down the crack pipe too.

at 23k miles he doesn't need new rotors...just pads. brake dust clogging the holes are normal. just leave it alone. if you really want to clean them out take a screw driver and go at it.

ssounit · 06-20-2008, 06:22 AM

FrankW..... Thanks for the advise. How do I know if I need to have the rotors turned and new pads, or leave the rotors as they are and just put on new pads?

**Buellwinkle** · 06-20-2008, 10:21 AM

Rotors should be mic'ed to see that they are thick enough according to spec for that rotor. If they are, and they are not badly grooved or warped you can just put pads on. If you switch pad formulations you should at least clean the surface with emery cloth and brake cleaner. What may happen initially is it may squeal for a few weeks until the pads mate to the surface of the rotor.

Tri-Star · 06-20-2008, 01:39 PM

I have 25k miles on my car and do not need rotors or pads but I don't drive my car that hard at all. You def do not need new rotors with under 30k miles. Never heard of redrilling cross drilled rotors.

jrsmith_68 · 06-20-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-Star

I have 25k miles on my car and do not need rotors or pads but I don't drive my car that hard at all. You def do not need new rotors with under 30k miles. Never heard of redrilling cross drilled rotors.

I have to agree with FrankW. The cross drills on my rotors were also plugged, but only on the inside of the rotor. I did use a drill to open mine back up, I was not removing any metal, just the build-up. Took all of about 2 minutes.

Mercedes Benz of Florida · 06-21-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssounit

Hi all,
I'm a newbie to this forum but I have learned a wealth of knowledge so far. I've done a search for my question but have not been bale to find an answer. It's time for my front brakes to be serviced ( I have 23k on OEM pads and rotors) and they are cross drilled. My local delaer is telling me that I don't need the rotors turned but that they do need to re-drill the cross drilled holes because of brake dust build up. Does this sound right? I've never heard of such a thing and I'm hoping to get some feed back from all the informative people here. I appreciate your responses. Also should I stay with OEM replacement pads or do dealers carry other brands that don't produce so much brake dust. This is the first vehicle I have had that has produced so much brake dust.

Now hold on; I had some cross drilled rotors years ago, at least from memory, I thought it was Verbotten to redrill your crossed-drill rotors? Isn't that still the
standard? I could have sworn I read in the mfg. installation instructions it
is Verbotten.

Anyway; if you have build up, why not just clean out the plugged up holes?
A low speed drill, metal drill bit, PERFECTLY fitting the holes, you can clean up
those plugged up holes.
Then put on a buffing emery pad on the drill and buff out the glazing, dirt, minor
scratches etc.

This is an easy easy fix. Basic Maintenance 101.

Chris Gaines · 06-21-2008, 10:11 AM

Ok Frank so he does need to re-drill the holes ? I dont think so

and second you dont just put new pads on old groved and worn rotors.

The safest thing is to buy new rotors then you have a smooth surface between the pads and rotors

That is what the pipe is for Sir

guess it just comes down to doing it right or half assed

Whosdis · 06-22-2008, 02:26 AM

Simply put, you aren't really "re-drilling" the rotors. You are simply using a drill bit to clean out the existing holes. It makes perfect sense that the holes clog up with brake dust, just as much as the groove in the pad has a tendency to become packed with dust.