Subject: Importance of On-Vehicle Brake Lathe Use

Vehicle Involved: All Late-Model Vehicles

Condition: Vehicles prone to brake pulsation

Repair Procedure: Whether performing a brake job or solving a customer complaint, brake pulsation is an increasing problem for late-model vehicles. Not only in the aftermarket, this problem affects the OE vehicle manufacturers and dealer service departments as well.

OEMs have ample resources for identifying problems and providing solutions for their customers’ satisfaction. Technical Service Bulletins provided by Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Volkswagen address the issue of brake pulsation and stress the use of the on-vehicle brake lathe exclusively for rotor resurfacing. They no longer recommend any off-vehicle rotor machining.

The reason for this is to account for the runout in the rotor, hub flange, wheel bearings and the surface condition of the mating surfaces of the hub flange and rotor. The goal is to achieve .002” lateral runout or less, as installed on the vehicle.

This Brake Service Bulletin is courtesy of Raybestos brand brake parts, a member of Brake Parts Inc.