The brake system of the car requires regular maintenance. In particular, this concerns the replacement of brake pads, inspection for disc defects, fluid replacement, etc. But far from always this is done on time and is done at all. Many apply to service stations only in case of obvious malfunctions. But all this can be avoided if the pads are changed in a timely manner and at the same time do not forget to pierce the brake discs.
About car brake discs
Typically, manufacturers indicate the life of a particular serviced node. That is why talking about specific numbers does not make sense. On some machines, pads run 10-15 thousand kilometers, on others they run 50 or more. This also applies to drives. If they are of high quality, then they easily live 100-150 thousand kilometers, provided that the entire system is in good condition. If the caliper guide jams , and the block does not move away from the disk, it is quite logical that the entire assembly will heat up, and the disks and pads will not only undergo increased wear, but may also fail due to overheating.
Brake discs are ventilated and non-ventilated, depending on many factors. In most cases, the ventilated structure is located on the front axle. Behind can stand ordinary discs, or even drums. During operation, the disk gradually wears out, and when it reaches the minimum thickness it needs to be replaced. This is due to the fact that the finer the metal in the place of contact with the pads, the more it is heated.
Sharpen or change?
Someone is a supporter of turning brake discs, while others are only inclined to replace. Here you need to look at the situation. If the disk is erased, then at least sharpen it, at least not, it will no longer properly perform its function. When the wear is negligible, but during braking there is such an effect as a beating in the steering wheel or the brake pedal, a groove is quite acceptable. And again, in the absence of mechanical defects in the form of cracks, etc.
That is why it is not possible to unequivocally answer the question posed. Often there are reviews that the groove gives only a short-term effect and can only be saved by a full replacement paired with pads. This is partly true, but far from always. Let's take a closer look at how to properly grind brake discs. Today there is a mass of equipment and various technologies that allow us to do this not only quickly, but also efficiently.
Express groove of brake discs without removal
As the name implies, in this case there is no need to dismantle the repaired unit from the car. That is why such a groove is carried out extremely quickly, and in terms of efficiency it is not inferior to a full-fledged repair on a lathe. Many modern service stations are equipped with such stands. To perform the work, you only need to remove the wheel. Next, a special unit is installed on the studs, its block is brought directly to the plane of the disk.
The process of grooving takes about 10-15 minutes. Therefore, to complete the work in a circle will take no more than one hour. Cutters for grooving brake discs on the machine unit are installed on both sides. This can significantly reduce the runout during the operation. True, this method also has its drawbacks. The main disadvantage is the inability to groove discs with such a brake element as a handbrake.
About the cost of work
Here a lot depends on the place of repair and its method. In many car services you will see different price tags, but at the same time everyone will praise the quality of work performed. It is worth noting that the groove of the brake discs without removal will cost a little cheaper, since the masters will not have to unscrew the extra nuts. Also, the cost of services varies depending on the class of the car:
- domestic car - 700 rubles per drive;
- a foreign car - 1,000;
- business-class foreign car - 1,100;
- SUVs - 1,200;
Elite cars (sports) - 1,500.
If the disks, among other things, are also perforated, then it is worth adding another 200 rubles to the amount. As you can see, if you perform the work in a circle on a foreign car, then everything will cost 4,000 rubles, a maximum of 5,000. But if you think about it, it’s not so cheap. Indeed, for 6,000-7,000 rubles, you can buy new wheels. Therefore, the situation here is somewhat twofold. Of course, it makes sense to groove the brake discs, the price of which is quite high. Usually this is the original or tuning. If they are Chinese, then sharpening does not make sense, it is much easier and cheaper to perform a replacement.
Brake disc grooving machine
An important role is played by the equipment used for work. Today, many auto repair shops use portable stands that allow grooving without removing the disc. Nevertheless, stationary lathes have not yet been canceled. They are more functional, and if a professional works, then the result is an order of magnitude better. The machine for grooving brake discs allows you to work in three planes. That is, the sides where the pads are adjacent and the place of the clamp to the hub are machined. At the exit you will have a perfectly flat drive, and you can forget about the beating during braking as a nightmare.
The most popular machine today is PRO-CUT, which costs about 200,000 rubles. It is considered professional and allows you to sharpen the disk without removing it from the hub. But if possible, it is better to change, as an extreme measure - the groove of the brake discs. The price of the service is constantly increasing today. In large cities, it can reach 3,000 rubles with a run-out test, etc. Nevertheless, this is a rather expensive procedure.
Can I do it myself?
The manual for the operation and repair of cars of the VAZ family has a corresponding section. It clearly and clearly states that the groove can be performed in garage conditions without special equipment. For example, you can remove the collar that was formed as a result of wear on the disk or the use of hard pads with a file. To do this, perform the following activities:
- lift the car on the jack and remove the wheel;
- start the car and engage 4th or 5th gear;
- Using a file or a coarse emery disc, the collar is removed first on one side and then on the other.
Of course, this is relevant only for the axis that is leading. In addition, it is not recommended to do this on foreign cars, it is better to just take and replace the disks with new ones. Where to grind brake discs? Best of all in a proven service station, where you have repeatedly applied. It is also preferable to familiarize yourself with the cost of work. Some services charge too much for a groove. Perhaps they do it qualitatively, although this is not a fact. Too cheap - not good too. It is likely that they neglect quality and deceive customers.
What to do?
First of all, you must independently inspect the condition of the brake discs. Most defects can be identified visually. This concerns the thickness of the disc. If he worked his way, then there is no point in going to the service station and trying to restore it. The presence of cracks also indicates the uselessness of the grooves.
If, nevertheless, it was decided to grind the brake discs, then in order to reduce the cost of work it is recommended to independently remove them. There is nothing complicated here. The wheel is thrown off, the caliper is removed. To do this, unscrew a couple of long stud bolts. After that, use a flat screwdriver to pry the retaining bracket and slightly push the piston in. Now you can easily remove the brake disc. If necessary, you can use the VD-40 and lubricate all threaded connections with graphite or copper grease before installation. The latter is preferable for the brake system.
Summarize
Sometimes it makes no sense to engage in grooving. As noted above, today there are a huge number of Chinese brake discs. It is worth noting that not all of them are of poor quality. You can pay attention to European counterparts. Acceptable price tag and good enough metal. Try not to brake at high speed in puddles, because it is overheating and sudden cooling that often lead to a curved brake disc.