Top 20 Rotor Resurfacing Shops in Washington

Symptoms of a bad rotor

If you suspect your brake rotors have something wrong with them, a brake inspection might be what you need. But, if you’d like to notice on your own if your rotors are in dire straits, keep an eye out for the symptoms we’ll list below; they indicate rotor problems.

Still, take the vehicle for an inspection, and if the rotors have a problem, a rotor resurfacing process might just be what fixes it.

Squealing or Squeaking Noises

• Worn rotors make high-pitched squeals or squeaks when you brake, especially if they're uneven or glazed.

Grinding Sounds

• Rotors with worn and damaged surfaces will make grinding noises, which means that the brake pads have worn down completely and the metal backing is pressing the rotor.

Vibrations When Braking

• Warped rotors have an uneven surface that causes vibration or pulsation in the brake pedal—you might also feel the steering wheel shaking when you press the brakes.

Increased Stopping Distance

• Damaged or worn rotors won’t brake as good, leading to longer stopping distances.

Visible Damage or Grooves

• If you check your rotors and see deep grooves, scoring, or rust, it’s a clear sign they need resurfacing or replacement.

Burning Smell

• Overheated rotors can make a burning smell, especially after heavy braking or when you drive downhill.

Brake Pedal Feels "Soft" or "Spongy"

• This happens if the rotor isn’t working well with the brake pads, possibly due to being worn out and warped, though it could also mean different brake system issues.

Uneven Brake Pad Wear

• If one rotor is in worse shape than the others, you might notice the tires and brake pads on the worst side wearing out faster.