If you have noticed that your car is no longer stopping smoothly or quickly, you may wonder if there could be a problem with your brakes. If so, look for the following visual signs that your brake rotors are damaged and in need of replacement.
Black Dust around the Wheel Well
Before you take a look at the rotors themselves, check the wheel well around them to see if you find any black dust that resembles soot. If you find any of this dust, this is a tell-tale sign that your rotors are seriously messed up.
If your brake pads have become worn to the point that they are exposing metal, they are likely digging into the rotors every time you use your brakes. As they dig into them, the metal coming into contact with the rotors starts shaving off the surface metal. If you press your fingertip into the dust and hold it up to the light, you will see it sparkle slightly from the shavings.
Circular Grooves Dug into the Metal
The next visual clue that your rotors are worn down is found by examining the rotors themselves. You can do this by shining a light between spokes of your wheels so you can visualize the plates better.
If your brake pads have been digging into the rotors, you will see defined circular grooves around them. While even one groove is enough to cause alarm, finding several indentations on the rotors means that several corners of the pads are digging into the rotors.
These deep grooves weaken the metal, increasing the likelihood that the rotors will crack under the pressure of the pads. If this were to happen while you are driving down the road, you would not be able to stop your vehicle and could be in an accident.
Spots of Color along the Edges
Along with grooves in the metal, the next sign to look for when determining how much damage your rotors have sustained are spots of color along the edges. These spots are often blue, orange, red, or a mixture of the three.
If you see these colors, they mean that your rotors have been overheating, likely due to the pads rubbing up against them and causing friction. These colors indicate areas where the rotors have weakened and warped, making them uneven and more likely to crack.
If you see any of the above signs on or around your brake rotors, they have sustained serious damage that may prevent them from safely stopping your vehicle. Take your car to a brake replacement service to have them inspect the rotors and change them out as soon as possible.
