I am getting ready to replace the pads on my 2001 SC. It has about 65k on it and I get the old rust grind in the mornings. I have looked at the rotors and they seem to be in pretty good shape. I do not get any pulling of the brakes nor pulsatiing stops. All seems to be pretty normal. But I have conflicting information from friends. Some say to always turn and the others say only turn if you have pulsation or deep grooves. There is one thing that seems to happen when the brakes are hot from a long ride. That is they seem to make a rubbing of slight grinding noise like when a brake is wet and starts to grab and ya get that shudder sound. Other than that no problems.

So my question is:::
To Turn Or Not To Turn?

Thanks a ton in advance,
MASS_X
PS: Thanks to all for your invaluable information

 

The general rule is to turn them on a pad change. However it isn't really needed if the rotors are in good shape and not warped or pitted. And still measure in spec. (Stamped on the rotor)

Frankly I have done both and have been successful. There are two risks to not turning the rotors for a pad change: 1.) improperly "seated" pads that will "glaze" due to the smooth finish of an un-turned rotor. 2.) almost instantly warped rotors due to the extra grab of the new pads.

So my advice would be if your rotors are well above spec I wouldn't turn them and I would carefully "seat" them.

Good luck-

 

Take some sand cloth and sand in a circular motion on the rotors. After that,clean them with brake cleaner spray and re-install.

 

I have done both and if the rotors are in good shape I wouldn't turn them but like the others have said, I would clean them good and install the new pads.