I've always wanted to know...

[Mark_88]

so I'll ask...may be a silly question, but...

When rotors rust, is it wise or advisable to try to remove the rust with something like a wire wheel? or just leave it and let the pads do the job?

My rotors were FOB and intstalled 2 years ago...or was it four...but have not been used (yes, I was planning on driving it long ago)...and have since got a nice coat of rust on them...

When I drove the Ranger on the road for the first time since 2004 ( ) it was not braking properly...aside from the fact that I may need to bleed the system again (it was bled after installing the calipers in 2006 or 2007).

 

[Insanejughead]

Rust on the rotor itself probably wouldn't bother me and my decision to do anything other than to just let the pads do their job, but too much rust and I would be concerned about the pistons getting locked up.


So... I guess the best thing to do is just let your judgment on their condition make the ruling.

 

[srteach]

If it is pitted, replace or turn the disks, and replace the pads. Pits eat brake pads.
If not pitted, let the pads clean them.

The caveat is the rust can cause squeal. If it squeals, clean with brake cleaner.

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks for the input. I haven't had time to take the wheels off for a closer inspection lately, but from what I saw they didn't look pitted. It seems to be just surface rust so far, but I will have a closer look soon.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

+1 on the pistons keep an eye on them when your driving any distance check to see if they are getting hot with light braking they should get evenly warm if one or both are getting hot to the touch the pistons are sticking or they are pitted. but most of the time they will loosen up if you pull the caliper and push the piston in once just be aware of the brake fluid can overflow out of the reservour clean any spills immediately. You can check the rotors at the same time for pitting.

 

[Mark_88]

OK...but I'm still not officially driving the truck...just put it on the road to move it and then had it towed...I'm going to spend some time with it over the next few weeks trying to get it on the road (safely)...

This truck has been towed farther than I've driven it in the last five years...towed to the guy who sand blasted the frame and cab...towed up to Barrie...towed to another location in Barrie...then towed to Uxbridge...

I'd say about 200 kilometers so far...lol