When to change brake discs - how to measure brake disc thickness

[@johncowan9106]

Speaking as a retired machinist, it’s so nice to see someone using a VERNIER caliper. I still have my first one. It’s a Helios, and it is marked “Hardened throughout, West Germany”. I still use it, although I own a digital and a dial caliper.

[@ecologicaltime]

thank you for your comment

[@simonbone]

You can also put coins on the disk surfaces, measure the thickness, then put the two coins together and measure their total thickness. Subtract that from the first value, and you know how thick the brake disk is.

[@Jackie-wc7xk]

Out of the other videos trying to understand what to look for in a worn out rotor, this was the very best and informative! Thank you!

[@muhammadshoaib3005]

thanks, the best explanation I ever had

[@richardautenzio8117]

Excellent! Very descriptive and informative. One of the best professional videos I have ever seen on car maintenance. Thank you very much for your time and information. I will try and search out other videos if you have them.

[@rayc1503]

Thank-you, brilliant clear and concise information. Now I know exactly what to measure on my M5 brake discs 👌

[@alljoy6541]

Hi, I put febi bilstein brake disks and ATE brake pads on my Suzuki Swift last year. There was nothing wrong with the measurement , there was still lots of pad and disk thickness, but it was making a slight noise every now and then, when I had them checked at the dealer , they said it was fine, but it was a little scorched looking. They said 70% pad life still left OEM. Anyway I decided to replace both. I recently flushed/ bled my brakes using your Mazda video as a reference, it made a huge difference as my brake fluid was more the 6 years old, now the car is awesome to drive. I did a full tune up. Thank you for the videos, I learn a lot.

[@ecologicaltime]

Hi All Joy, thanks for sharing. Interesting. i have had that too when the brake piston gets stuck as the brake fluid mixed with dust becomes powdery (very old) and the piston does not retract back and almost stays pressing on the disk. Gets hot and noisy. Thanks for your comment.

[@Tom-le2px]

Thank you for providing a very informative video. I was considering changing only front brake pads but it's apparent my discs also need changing something I was not aware of until watching this video. Great video

[@johndav5230]

Very good explaination. Nice to hear a SA accent.

[@mankgabanemantlaneni]

Thanks for a good explanation,Mankgabane from South Africa

[@ScottPC]

One of the best videos for measuring. Good techniques.

[@fridgemagnet9831]

Thanks for the very informative video, nice to see south african youtubers

[@DM-hp7ct]

A wonderfully detailed and clear explanation. From England. Thank you.

[@PabloGonzalez-io6pq]

Great video! You make look very simple, which I actually think it is. But at the same time, you go beyond a simple measurement and take the grooves into account. Thanks for that!!

[@bliking4573]

Thank you! This has been one of the best and most concise explanations I've seen 🤓

[@manixpc]

Great video. Another way you can compensate for the disc lip is by using two thick coins. Measure the thickness with the coins on either side of the disc and then zero out or subtract the thickness of the two coins stacked together to get a more accurate thickness of the actual disc.

[@ecologicaltime]

thank you

[@Marcesko]

20000 IQ

[@georgecroney6168]

I keep 2 coins in the case of my verniers for this very reason

[@gscranage4594]

Even with the South African accent I understood every word. I would say your knowledge base is equivalent to semi-pro. Good job my man!!!

[@thesoullessmechanic6350]

Great job, you made a very professional and well made video.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Excellent video !

[@ondekomulama7582]

Thank you for the video you have made me understand how to check my breaks properly

[@rondhole]

Thank you man, excellent video and really good information. I had same experience, my brake works fine in most cases until I brake hard in emergency at 80 mph in the interstate from an accident ahead. It vibrate like hell but nice and smooth at regular braking.

[@georgecroney6168]

The reason for the vibration is your car has ABS. Anti lock. In the old days if you slammed your brake son they would lock, and your wheels would skid like on a bicycle. ABS uses a high pressure pump that many many times a second triggers on and off. When you're braking hard your wheels will skid slightly, the ABS module will reduce brake pressure and allow the wheel to roll for a split second, when grip is regained it will trigger your brakes back on. This can happen over and over until you come to a stop, hence the vibration.

[@gutierreza69]

“INDEED EXCELLENT EXPLANATION”! 👍🏼

[@JohnJones-rx9vc]

Great video.thank you so much!please upload more informative videos sir! Detailed and clear!thumbs up!👍

[@yaseenabrahams4979]

I have learnt so much already and to pay more attention, thank you sir

[@mattmacdermott6209]

Cracking Video mate, clear and concise, top drawer.

[@ecologicaltime]

Thanks 👍

[@enforcementofficer4802]

Great video, so clear and love the accent (South African?) - thank you for making this, helped me out :)

[@ecologicaltime]

thanks yes SA

[@jorgevasquez-lz4be]

Very professional explanation!! thank you!!

[@alijuratli]

Very detailed and great explaining video, thank you

[@iainatkinson9239]

Super video never knew what the pointy end of the vernier gauge did until today

[@KJ-yk4nq]

Excellent video very clear and easy to follow

[@garyfrankel9457]

Excellent Photography and explanation !

[@jimjanke3415]

Very very good! Simple clear information I never knew and wondered about.

[@smamas114]

Nice video , thanks !! I have learned good things today 💪

[@vishapat1]

Very well explained. Thanks!

[@gasgiant7122]

Greetings from UK Great informative tutorial video, lovely SA accent?

[@woobRobbo]

This is the canonical video for this question - thank you for making it

[@sharkfinn6469]

Golden info. Thank you

[@michaelszekunda6435]

Well done, lessons well taught

[@marcuslee3256]

Great video, thank you!

[@bijnor67]

You are a genius.

[@sund5]

Very very nice video. Very well explained! :-)

[@muhammedk9648]

Hi. Thanks for the vid. Won't the Guages used for the spark plug gap help measuring the thickness of the lip?

[@ecologicaltime]

yeah great tip! thanks

[@UcranianoUKR]

Best thing you can do is invest in the tools and learn how to replace pads and rotors yourself. The cost of new rotors and pads aren't very high, most times you're paying for the labour.

[@GG-eg6kn]

£500 for Audi discs and pads.. £320 with discount.

[@georgecroney6168]

@@GG-eg6kn you're getting scammed, apply lube next time you go to get your brakes done, it won't hurt as much

[@fredseibel2954]

Good information clearly explained.

[@michaell3711]

Great video... Thanks much

[@kennymacm3031]

I found my pads starting to scrape at the weekend I reckon I'll just change the rotors as well. I just bought it recently and as I intend to keep it for a while there's no point in skimping.

[@ibo1137]

Very great guide!

[@disturbator]

Hello from croatia. Mine is at 26.2 thickness, and minimum is 26.4. Is it ok to use one more brake pads on it ?

[@radgym2781]

Great detailed info 👍

[@riteshm2249]

Why there was smoke coming in Skoda Superb the disc was not even and we put the new brake pads?

[@Christopher-z7z]

Outstanding video

[@niclasbergqvist1737]

Very well and pedagogically described. Can the discs be used even if they exceed the minimum size? -Yes if you don't drive advanced to pick up the kids from school or drive in the mountains like a hillbilly on meth. A thin brake disc overheats faster. Drive normally and you can probably wait a little longer for the change. It is a matter of judgement.

[@BlackGold80]

Great video and well said explanation 👍🏻

[@Ris-v4w]

6:50 so 29.6mm was somewhere near the "new" state of the disc. let's say it was 30.0mm new. substracting from there the 28.4mm minimum requirement, that would mean accounting for both sides of the disc, the max wear would be something like 0.8mm per side ? that's a pretty small amount that you are allowed to wear the disc out, no? if some cars have 1.5mm lip on one side that's about double the "life" expectancy on this one that you checked 3:10 and looking back to the first set you checked, min=22.4, i guess new=25.0mm(rounding up from the 24.8 you measured). so actually the accepted wear on these is 2.6mm, 1.3mm/side. this disc is thinner but has more "life" in it than the first one?? really weird...... also, for heat dissipation purposes, just as you said, would we not actually have thicker discs on the front? in your case the thicker ones were on the back. again...weird

[@ecologicaltime]

thanks for the analytics

[@ecologicaltime]

thanks, the thicker ones are on the front. The amount of wear is only a little but people let their discs get much more worn than the manufacturer recommend.

[@WhistleLad]

Is a disc the same thing as a rotor?

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

Why bang door if it is comfort access. Just needs a touch to make contact.

[@PaulMcLove]

Super‼️ 👍😉😀

[@keisham]

very detailed and clear explanation. thanks👍

[@babar141]

What's it like driving with the wheels spacer?

[@georgeabraham4285]

Dankie meneer..

[@akiffirdausi6887]

My left brake pad finished, and now my left disc is damaged 😭 should have changed the pads earlier 😢

[@MichelleLove-cn1ly]

Thank you so much❤. Im a woman and needed this info. How do you keep it from rust?

[@deyvidaleksandrov5276]

i change rear brake pads and now when i press the brake little bit is making so much noise is it from the brake pads quality?

[@JohnJones-rx9vc]

Hi,it is great video,i just have a question.did you measure two different disc rotor? First one was 22mm and then suddenly it went to 28 mm?is it different car? Sorry maybe i missed some clip!

[@ecologicaltime]

thank you, yes one was front and one was back.

[@Fear_Not_I_Is_Here]

Awesome video

[@Ali-xt2ex]

nice video thanks

[@devinjohnson4507]

I hear a saffa, I up vote!

[@exk6]

Love the ubiquitous background doves!

[@markrodgers1965]

Could not find the specs on the rotors

[@smamas114]

I went to service and they told me to change front brake disks and all the arms because i have a vibration in the steering wheel when braking, i think they don't know where's the problem 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ariesmight6978]

On a percentage of vehicals. The rim is bolted to the hub. Not resting on lugs so my challenge and question is. Can you check the rotor thickness. Without taking off the rim?

[@ecologicaltime]

i have not seen that but on motorbikes i have. If there is space between the spokes then i suppose you could measure, but proper inspection requires the person to feel the surface of the entire disk face and inspect it looking for surface imperfections as well so i would say take of the rim.

[@ariesmight6978]

Thank you @@ecologicaltime for replying.

[@gasgiant7122]

Fucking pointless question, Wtf?

[@ElectricalNoises]

Pro tip: Don't put your head under the tire when fitting the trestle.

[@marsy1480]

Excellent

[@m_a_s6069]

Why don't you use the correct tool to measure the disc? There are calipers with "C" shape jaws and there are micrometers, often shaped like c-clamps.

[@rob-123]

To be honest having worked in the motor trade I never ever once saw a disk skimmed. Flywheels all the time but never the brakes! It's so cheap to change the Disks it never worked out worth it and the biggest problem is the time and transport to a machine shop and how busy they were never out weight the costs!

[@Theorangeman.]

Micrometer would be the better tool

[@The_Joker_]

Micrometer required

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

The lip on my rotor is probably 3-4 mils 😬

[@puneethkumar2829]

You could have used screw gauge.

[@benghoechan7097]

use a micrometer to measure.

[@MrLaloman18]

What you all really need is a "Vinca DRGA-0605 Electronic Digital Brake Disc Rotor Gauge Caliper measuring tool"... Worth every penny, the highest quality by a top brand and it will last you a lifetime! Is the only one with 2 external jaws (claw type) the measures your discs from the sides withing and not the edges... No more need for all these Micky Mouse tricks as its a much accuracy tool and time saver! A MUST FOR ALL BMW OWNERS that do their own sh*t...

[@m30sleic]

hade being scammed buy mechanics, worse when times are very hard

[@georgeabraham4285]

Yay... Renault!!

[@willeamblignaut2904]

Lol the disc have a wear indicator

[@nemod3338]

Vernier is not build for purpose in this case. Get yourself Micrometer. It will take calculator sorcery away. Plus you do not know how correctly to use Vernier. It was exactly 0.54 mm at 4:06.

[@gasgiant7122]

There's always one isn't there.🤐

[@ecologicaltime]

true

[@vladimirtocitu4140]

nice video

[@tn57d4512]

Very well explained, thanks a lot!

[@BruceMarkos]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing!

[@MoonPatrol]

Excellent video!