Along with carrying premium replacement brake pads, rotors, and calipers, many O’Reilly Auto Parts locations also offer brake drum and rotor resurfacing services. Just bring your brake drums or rotors to your local O’Reilly Auto Parts, and we’ll resurface them for a small fee—helping you get your vehicle back on the road safely.
What is Brake Drum and Rotor Resurfacing?
The resurfacing process, often called “turning,” uses a specialized machining lathe to carefully remove a thin layer of damaged or glazed metal from your brake drums or rotors. This leaves a clean, smooth surface for your brake pads or shoes to press against when you step on the pedal.
Tip: If you’re installing new brake pads or shoes, we recommend resurfacing or replacing your drums or rotors. This ensures a complete, long-lasting repair and protects your new parts from wearing down prematurely.
Signs Your Brake Drums or Rotors Need to Be Resurfaced
Over time, intense heat and friction change the surface of your vehicle's brake rotors or drums, leading to uneven wear and rough spots on their contact surface. If you notice any of the following, bring your brake parts to your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store:
- Pedal Pulsation: A distinct or pulsating sensation under your foot when you step on the brake pedal.
- Steering Wheel Shake: Fluttering or pulsing felt through the steering wheel as your vehicle slows down.
- Brake Glazing: A shiny, mirror-like finish on the rotor surface caused by excessive heat, which makes your brakes feel less responsive.
- Surface Imperfections: Visible grooves, rough ridges, or score marks cut into the metal face of the rotor or drum.
Should I Resurface or Replace My Drums and Rotors?
Though it is generally recommended that worn brake rotors and drums be replaced to ensure the longest possible life, resurfacing these parts can often help you save money in the short term, and is a great option for difficult-to-find parts that may not be readily available.
Our parts professionals will measure your brake drums or rotors for free using a micrometer to determine if there’s enough material left to allow them to be safely machined. To qualify for resurfacing, a drum or rotor must meet the required material thickness defined by its manufacturer.
If the metal is too thin, has deep structural damage, hot spots, cracks, or shows significant metal gouging or grooves, the brake drum or rotors cannot be resurfaced. If that’s the case, our Professional Parts People are always happy to help you find the best replacement brake parts for your vehicle.
Do I need to make an appointment to have my brake rotors or drums resurfaced?
No appointment or drop-off scheduling is necessary, and walk-ins are always welcome. Just bring your brake drums or rotors to the parts counter at your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store, and our parts professionals will be happy to help you. Keep in mind, this service does take some time, so be prepared to drop off your parts and pick them up when they’re ready.
How much does it cost to get rotors or drums resurfaced?
Resurfacing costs can vary by location, but it’s generally still a cost-effective alternative to buying brand-new parts. Contact or visit your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store for exact pricing on our drum and rotor resurfacing services.
Can damaged brake drums or rotors be resurfaced?
Not every brake drum or rotor can be resurfaced. Our parts professionals will measure your components for free using a micrometer to ensure they meet the manufacturer's minimum safe thickness. Parts that are too thin, cracked, or severely gouged or damaged cannot be resurfaced.
Does brake resurfacing always work?
In some cases, damage may be more severe than expected when resurfacing is completed, causing the rotor to require additional resurfacing, potentially beyond the minimum threshold. One of our parts professionals will indicate any issues when you pick up your rotors or drums and provide advice on whether the parts can still be safely used or should be replaced.
Why should I resurface my rotors when replacing my brake pads?
Installing new brake pads or shoes onto rough, grooved, or glazed rotors and drums leads to noisy, inefficient braking, causing your new parts to wear out prematurely. Resurfacing or replacing brake drums and rotors restores that smooth, like-new pedal feel and ensures reliable stopping power.