I purchased two front rotors for my 01 Civic. The parts guy at the dealership said I had to resurface the rotors before I use them because there is a possibility the rotors might be warped from the factory. This doesn’t make sense to buy a new product and rebuilding it. I don’t know. Any thoughts?

 

He seems to be admitting the rotors may be defective, so return them and purchase non-defective rotors elsewhere.

 

All six of the dealership parts guy, all said the same thing. Maybe it's a Honda requirement.

 

^ Exactly.
Where did you get them from?

 

they will alaways ask if you want them "Resurfaced" don't do it, its a complete rip off.

 

Agreed. If you have ever looked at your rotors a month after you resufaced them, they look just like they did before. Just replace the pads, they will wear themselves in just fine. Unless you have pulsating brakes a resuface is not necessary.

 

Don't resurface new rotors. They should have put a perfect surface on them at the factory. However you do need to remove all the greasy stuff that was applied to the braking surface to prevent rusting during shipment. Wash it off with brake cleaner.

 

The surface isn't always "perfect". Remember that rotors are "cast" from a mold, and they can sometimes warp when cooling down. When I worked at Sears Auto 15+ years ago, Some of my techs would cut .004/inch off of new rotors. Honda rotors have a 1yr/12,000mi warranty, just like all of their OEMparts. I usually get Wearever rotors at Advance Auto, they have a 2yr warr. (for warpage). Bendix, Raybestos, and Brembo rotors are good too, but they are double the price of Wearevers' and usually have less than 2 year warranty (for warpage).

 

sexybrat, i'm confused why you are even buying new rotors. the originals should be turned and you'll be back in business. it's only been7 yrs.

 

His OE rotorsare probably below specification:i.e."too thin" to be machined, and/or they might be scored from the old pads meaning they would need to be turned twice or more. All rotors have a "machine to" and a "discard" specification. Rotors below the machine to/discard spec. have to be replaced. Why? Because rotors that are too thin to dissapate the heat will DEFINITELY warp. causing vibrationand run hot, most likely causing brake fade (which is the loss of sufficient friction between the brake padsand the rotorthat the pads make contact with. The resulting loss in friction leads to the inabilityto slow the vehicle.)