What to Do About Scratches on Brake Discs?

[MacArcher]

It is normal to have scratches on brake discs. Having some shallow scratches in lines is quite common, and generally, there is no issue as long as the scratch depth does not exceed 0.6 millimeters. The causes of deep scratches include: 1. Only the front or only the rear brake discs have grooves. This situation is usually caused by driving habits or uneven distribution of braking force between the front and rear. 2. Only one brake disc has grooves while the others are normal. This is generally due to material issues or external forces, with possible factors as follows: a. Foreign objects getting stuck between this brake disc and the brake pad, especially when braking hard; b. Uneven force from the brake caliper; c. Manufacturing defects in the brake pad, leading to uneven composite materials, which make the brake pad too hard or contain large metal particles.

[VonBrooklyn]

Don't panic if you recently noticed scratches on your brake discs - this is actually quite common. I used to get really nervous about it when I first started driving too. Here's what to do: Run your finger over the scratches to check their depth. If they're as shallow as a strand of hair, it's probably just small stones stuck in the brake pads that'll wear off naturally after a few days of driving. But if the scratches are deep enough to catch your fingernail, that likely means metal particles from the brake pads are causing the damage, and you should visit a repair shop to have the brake pads resurfaced. A mechanic once taught me this handy trick: After washing your car, park on a slope and engage the handbrake for half an hour to let the brake discs dry completely and prevent rust. Remember this too: For the first 300 kilometers after installing new brake pads, avoid hard braking to prevent premature grooving - you don't want to ruin them right away!

[AndersonLynn]

I think it depends on how the scratches occurred. Last week, my colleague's car was parked under a tree after rain, and tree sap stuck to the brake disc, causing deep grooves that definitely required polishing. If it's metal friction caused by worn brake pads, like my old car that made a 'squealing' noise driving into the repair shop, it's safer to replace both the disc and pads. The mechanic secretly told me that removing the wheels every 5,000 kilometers and using a stiff brush to clean out the sand and stones from the brake pad gaps can reduce the chance of scratches by 70%. Now, I always remind the car wash guy to focus on rinsing the brake caliper area.

[EmilioFitz]

Brake disc scratches must be addressed immediately - never compromise on safety. Last year during a road trip, I encountered a long downhill stretch where overheated scratches caused violent brake shuddering (like phone vibration mode). Still gives me chills thinking about it. Have a repair shop measure groove depth with a micrometer - discs require resurfacing if exceeding 1.5mm. Important note: New ceramic pads are most prone to scratching and require gentle 200km break-in. Warning: Never use cheap rust removers - chemical corrosion can be deadly!

[LeRonan]

It depends on how severe the scratches are. Minor hairline marks can be ignored. I've been driving for fifteen years, and some patterns on brake discs are completely normal. However, if you notice deep circular grooves like those on a CD, you should be alarmed—this indicates a loose brake pad retaining spring. Here's a self-check method: when the car is cold, spin the wheels and listen for any 'rustling' sounds. To save money, you can just replace the brake pads, but have a mechanic check if the caliper guide pins lack lubrication. My neighbor's car had seized guide pins, causing uneven wear and half-millimeter-deep pits on the brake disc.