Brake Service Center - Bad Brake Rotors

Symptoms of Bad Brake Rotors

There are a number of ways to tell if your brake rotors are bad. If you suspect that they are bad, you should have them checked out by a mechanic. He will be able to tell you if they need replacing or not. You should always make sure your brakes are working properly. Faulty brakes can present a hazard to you and your family and put everyone at risk for injury. If your brakes ever give out, you could cause a serious accident.

Pulsating Brakes

You can tell if your brakes rotors are bad if they begin to pulsate when you push lightly on the brake pedal. You will get the sensation that you are pumping the brakes when you are not. This is usually caused by a warped rotor that has over heated.

Grinding Noise

Your rotors are starting to go bad when you hear a low grinding noise when you push the brake pedal. This sound can increase to a loud grinding sound when the brake rotors get worse. This usually means that the brake pads are bad and the surface of the brake rotor has been damaged.

Ridges On Rotor

The noise starts when the brake pedals wear out and the metal screws rub against the rotors. Ridges similar to the grooves on the edge of a quarter, only larger, form on the rotors.


Sometimes you can hear a low grinding noise even when you are not pushing the brake pedal, and the noise escalates when you push the pedal.

Stop Abruptly

Once you push the brake pedal, as it begins to grind, your car will come to an abrupt halt instead of a smooth stop. The screws from the worn out brake pedals push into the rotors and make it seem as though the emergency brake is on.

Visible Ridges

When a car is parked, you can look through the tire at the rotor and see the ridges that have formed. There is a tool called a micrometer that you can use to measure the thickness of the groove in the brake rotor. If a rotor is not completely worn out, a mechanic can machine the rotors, which remove the grooves. Some rotors cannot be machined because they will be too thin and they could pose a safety risk.

A Brake Job Will Solves These!

  • A thorough inspection of your vehicles entire braking system
  • Worn pads and shoes replaced
  • Wheel bearings repacked as needed
  • Lubrication for specified components
  • Replacement of other components based on findings of inspection
  • Old brake fluid is replaced with fresh fluid
  • Adjust parking brake
  • Road test to ensure the entire braking system is operating properly

T&K in Irving
1100 W. LBJ Fwy. #100
Irving, TX 75063

(214) 753-8611

T&K in Addison
15200 Marsh Lane
Addison, TX 75001

(972) 241-8833