GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1998 🢒 Cutlass 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Disc Brakes 🢒 Brake Rotor Refinishing

Important: Do NOT refinish the brake rotors in order to correct any of the following complaints:

   • Brake noise (growl/squeal)
   • Premature brake lining wear
   • Cosmetic or superficial corrosion of the rotor braking surface
   • Rotor discoloration
Refinish the brake rotors ONLY when one or more of the following conditions exist:
   • Severe scoring of the rotor braking surface (groove depth in excess of 1.5 mm (0.059 in)
   • Brake pulsation caused by the following:
      - Brake rotor thickness variation in excess K mm
      - Corrosion or pitting that is deeper than the rotor braking surface

The following brake lathes are approved and achieve satisfactory results:

    • Accu Turn® (off-vehicle)
    • Pro-Cut® (on-vehicle)

Tools Required

J 42450-A Hub Cleaning Kit

    Notice: Whenever the brake rotor has been separated from the wheel bearing flange, clean any rust or foreign material from the mating surface of the rotor and flange with the J 42450 hub cleaning kit. Failure to do this may result in increased lateral runout of the rotor and brake pulsation.

  1. Use the J 42450-A in order to clean the wheel bearing/hub.
  2. Use a micrometer in order to measure the thinnest point of the brake rotor. If the thinnest point of the brake rotor exceeds the brake rotor minimum thickness, do NOT refinish the brake rotor. Replace the brake rotor.
  3. Use the J 41013 Rotor Resurfacing Kit (or equivalent) in order to THOROUGHLY clean the rust from the brake rotor flange.
  4. Refinish the brake rotor. Refer to the brake lathe manufacturer's operating instructions.

    5. Important: Failure to obtain the best possible braking surface finish may cause the vehicle to stop with difficulty.

  5. After machining the rotor, use 120 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper and a non-directional rotor finisher (if available) in order to create a non-directional braking surface.
  6. Clean the braking surfaces with denatured alcohol or with a suitable brake cleaner.

    7. Notice: Improperly tightened wheel bolts or nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage. In order to avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel bolts or nuts to the proper torque specification.