How to Repair a Warped Brake Rotor

A warped brake rotor on your vehicle is a nuisance and a danger, especially if it's cracked. Though it's referred to as a warped rotor, most often it's a rotor that has worn unevenly with a varying thickness. One symptom of a warped rotor is when you push the brake pedal and feel it pulsating. A clunking noise is another. Experienced home mechanics can repair warped rotors themselves by following a series of steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety goggles
  • 2 Brake rotors
  • Hand tools
  • Floor jack
  • Jack stands
  • Lug wrench
  • C-clamp
  • Gloves

Raise the Vehicle

  • Insert blocks behind the rear wheels and apply the emergency brake.

  • Loosen all the lug nuts, but don't totally remove any.

  • Unsnap the master cylinder lid and wrap a shop cloth around it to catch any fluid spills. When the caliper is squeezed it might push fluid over the top of the master cylinder's reservoir.

  • Position the floor jack under the center of the front frame and jack it up. If a small jack is used, raise one wheel at a time.

  • Place two jack stands under the vehicle's frame, one under each side near the front wheels.

  • Unbolt all the lug nuts and remove both front wheels.

Remove the Calipers and Rotors

  • Place a clamp over the caliper and compress it. Push the piston all the way into the caliper .

  • Unscrew the two bolts that secure the caliper to the spindle and remove the caliper. Take care not to stretch or damage the hydraulic brake line.

  • Remove the grease cap, cotter pin and spindle nut. Bump the rotor enough to pop the outer wheel bearing from its seat.

  • Remove the rotors and replace them with the new set.

  • Replace the brake pads and reinstall the caliper.