Brake Lathe Machines & Parts

How to Keep from Breaking Your Brakes

If there is one aspect of your vehicle that is critical to maintain, it is your brake system. Naturally, years of driving will bring wear and tear to your brake pads and rotors, reducing their safety and effectiveness. Corrosive road particles can cause your rotors to rust, while poor pad-to-rotor contact can shorten the lifespan of your brakes altogether. Extreme heat and debris buildup can lead to uneven rotor thickness, which often results in pedal pulsation.

If you start to feel vibrations or wobbly sensations, hear grinding or squeaking noises or sense a general reduction in brake performance, then it might be time to assess the condition of your brakes. Starting by examining the thickness of your rotors. For all things brake-related, check out our selection of automotive brake tools, alignment sets and repair kits.

Your vehicle's manual will cite the standard for your rotor sizing, which can help determine if your rotors are salvageable or too far damaged by poor brake pads. Regular disc brake rotor cleaning is perfectly doable at home. However, once you notice some thickness variation or start experiencing warped rotor symptoms, your mechanic may be able to use a brake lathe to smooth down the irregular surface. A brake lathe machine is an automotive shop staple and can breathe new life into your rotors without the added headache and cost burden of a total brake replacement.

The Purpose of a Brake Lathe

A brake lathe operates by smoothing down warped rotors to achieve a clean, even surface for brake pads to press upon. If your rotors are bumpy, rusted or thinned out, it is likely due to the high heat and applied friction during the braking process. The rough rotor surface leads to misalignment, which causes unsteady driving, tire imbalances and uncomfortable vibrations. To give your brakes a new and sharp feel, an experienced mechanic will use a brake lathe to remove a precise amount of surface material that could be inhibiting optimal brake performance.

The two main types of brake lathes are on-vehicle and off-vehicle lathes. On-vehicle lathes are used for vehicles with captive rotors that are difficult to reach due to their hub connection. This deluxe automotive tool can machine your rotors without the removal or alteration of any major suspension or driveline systems. Off-vehicle or "bench" lathes require the rotor to be taken out completely to perform maintenance. Rather than relying on a vehicle's existing brake placement and calibration, off-vehicle lathe operators must use exact alignment specified by the manufacturer to machine rotors as precisely as possible, which is sometimes difficult.

Brake lathes are an investment piece of equipment designed for professional shops and knowledgeable mechanics. They require a heightened level of maintenance and are often too large, loud and costly for the average DIY-er's garage. However, a brake lathe is an innovative tool that can save you the cost of a total brake replacement if used appropriately.

Brake maintenance can be intimidating and complex, so it should only be performed by those with a certain level of automotive expertise. Many modern vehicles require expensive, highly technical equipment to accurately diagnose and restore brake problems. That is why your local NAPA AutoCare Center is dedicated to delivering top-notch brake care at an affordable price. When it comes to the safety system that stops your fast-moving steel machine, it is always best to get the experts involved.