C20 Brake Rotor ?'s

[05crewcab]

My brake rotors have an indent about half way up the rotor surface all the way around. The replacement pictures from NAPA don't have the indent, and I'd really instead like to get mine turned to save some cash if I can.

Questions:

A) what is this indent for?
B) are these original rotors?
C) Can they be turned?
and finally D) does anyone have any pictures of original C20 rotors?

Thanks

[beebster]

i've had two '1971 c20s , both had the indent on the rotor.

[ERASER5]

The "V" was used as a minimum thickness gauge. As you turned the rotor, is the V was gone, the rotor was replaced. That was back when rotors could be turn several times. I do not know of any replacement rotor that still have the V groove. Maybe a specialty shop like CPP, ECE, or McGoughy's might have them for trucks, if you really need the OEM look.

[Longhorn Man]

i haven't sen the groove on anything new since the mid 80's. They may be original, or just better originals.
If the groove is still there, then have yours turned. If they aren't warped, then just run them. People are too quick to turn rotors when it isn't needed. When the rotor is not warped or glazed, all you do is remove thousands of miles worth or metal.

[05crewcab]

Thanks for the responses guys. They are fairly warped so I will definitely have them turned...good to know that I can! Would you guys recommend pulling them myself and bringing them in, or just having a brake shop do the R&R? would I need to pull the wheel bearings out before turning them?

[pmpski_1]

I had the same question. I had never seen a v like that on rotors and thought mine were screwed. Then I noticed it was the same on the other rotor as well and figured it was supposed to be there. Now I now what it's for. Thanks.

[capev86]

just get new quality rotors and be done with it. i don't like to mess around with having rotors turned....once they warp their days are numbered.

[05crewcab]

Originally Posted by capev86

just get new quality rotors and be done with it. i don't like to mess around with having rotors turned....once they warp their days are numbered.

The problem with that is the replacement rotors are about $80 each new and I would have to get new wheel bearings, seals, dust covers, etc. bringing the total to more like $300.

If there is enough material on the rotors to turn them, then why not turn them? If it costs me $50 to turn them (if I R&R) I could theoretically turn them six times for the price of new ones. That would last me a long time considering how often (and hard) I drive the truck.

[ERASER5]

Not if they are "fairly warped." A warped rotor takes a LOT of cutting to fix as compared to not warped.

[Longhorn Man]

i haven't seen any 'normal replacement rotors' worth half a crap. Even the NAPA upper end ones kinda blow in comparison to the older ones. (I'm not talking about any performance ones, have very little hands on info about them)
If they are seriously warped, then they may be junk. But if they can be cut down, then do it.
Also, if you are able to R&R the rotors, then I see no point in paying anyone else to do it for 50 - 75 bucks an hr

[05crewcab]

I guess "fairly warped" is pretty subjective...

on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 = straight and 10 = shaking fleas off a dog, my rotors are about a 4...a bit grabby when i come to a stop, but pretty slight when i touch the brakes at speed.

I agree with Longhornman, most repro wear items at a decent price pale in comparison to the originals, and, there is no performance option for the 3/4 ton trucks.

If I find that I can't turn these rotors then I guess it's off to the junkyard...speaking of which, I read somewhere that the rotors on the 3/4 ton trucks up to 87 will work. Is this true?

[extd56]

My local Napa store charged me 15.00 to turn a pair of rotors.

[eagleuh1]

Turn , turn, turn. Why replace with crap repro's. My 68's weren't out at all, just cleaned up with emery cloth.