Author Topic: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?  (Read 5528 times)

Offline p7387

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 254
rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« on: September 20, 2011, 06:19:09 pm »
hello:
installed new calipers,pads,hoses and noticed one rotor was bad (pitted on the inside) so i replaced it. the other rotor is in good condition so i was going to leave it alone. must rotors be replaced in pairs? i recently spoke to someone concerning this and they insisted they should be replaced in pairs.

what are your opinions?
thanks

Offline zieg85

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7595
    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2011, 06:24:21 pm »
IMO, no.  I worked at a Muffler and Brake shop and if they were in tolerance they were good to go.  I have replaced just one rotor when doing brake jobs on several of my own vehicles over the years and had no issues...
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2011, 08:03:55 pm »
They don't HAVE to be replaced in pairs, it is possible to get pulls having one new and one used, so I always replace them in pairs.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 01:13:10 am »
im with these guys i never had to replace both rotors. only replace them if they are bad. even my moms e150 has a gouge in it from a rock getting jammed in the pads replaced the pads and left it alone still doing good this was back in 02-03. most times the only need to replace a rotor imo is if you need to replace bearings or something is frozen up
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline slammed79

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1367
  • Thou shalt not drive stock
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2011, 01:46:28 am »
Depends for me how much cash I have on me when I get to doing the brakes, or if one is shot and the other is close to being out of spec.
74 C10 Long bed 350/SM465 Lowered on 20's

Praise the lowered

Offline Lt.Del

  • Andy aka:SgtDel
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3864
  • DelbridgePhotography.com
    • www.delbridge.net
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2011, 12:45:54 pm »
the answer is no.  In fact, i wouldn't replace the first one unless absolutely necessary.  They can be turned for a new surface if they are still within specs.

Offline bake74

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5871
    • Build Thread
Re: rotors-must they be replaced in pairs ?
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2011, 09:12:58 pm »
     Just like everyone else said, if you take your rotors to be turned, they do not always come back to you with the same thickness, depends on how much they have to grind off to get the warpage, scars, etc. out.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom