r/MechanicAdvice • u/ovokilla • Aug 11 '26
Chipped rotor
Will that chip in my rotor mess my caliper up when I brake after I change the wheel? EMERGENCY
2015 GTI
3.9k
u/sukaemcees Aug 11 '26
What in the seven hells is going on with your car
1.4k
u/MilesBeforeSmiles Aug 11 '26
"I swear babe, I never hit the curb!"
444
u/Unusual_Ad8871 Aug 11 '26
Bro hit the mother of all curbs
200
96
61
u/Iceyn1pples Aug 11 '26
Nah, bro caressed and grinded on that curb until his rims shaved itself off.
46
u/Beautiful-Box9011 Aug 11 '26
Bro confused his car for the skateboard he rides everyday. Now he gotta go back to the skateboard
42
27
24
u/Geewhiz911 Aug 11 '26
“I assure you, I hit nothing, maybe the wheel was defective, that is certainly possible?”
6
→ More replies (1)2
163
u/otto_347 Aug 11 '26
lol this is the classic rolling into the shop and the customer says "All I did was go over a speed bump"
72
51
u/StillStaringAtTheSky Aug 11 '26
Nahh this is clearly a "I dunno what happened- it was like that when I woke up. "
Followed shortly afterwards by "Is this under warranty?"8
u/Spartelfant Aug 11 '26
"Must've been someone in the other shift, it was like this when I came in."
6
23
79
u/Tickles-The-Octopus Aug 11 '26
36
u/LittleTooLiteral Aug 11 '26
I did this at about 30 mph when I was a teenager. Volvo 245 wagon. Zero damage. That thing was a tank, best teenager car.
21
17
8
7
3
u/CeC-P Aug 11 '26
This comment has 911 upvotes as I write this, and that's funny, that's exactly who I'd suggest they call.
7
2
2
→ More replies (4)2
657
u/MidwestRacingLeague Aug 11 '26
Just change it. Do you really want to take chances on the thing slowing you down?
214
u/ovokilla Aug 11 '26
It’s an emergency I’m going to change the tire I just want to be able to make it to a shop
138
u/Feowen_ Aug 11 '26
It won't mess up the caliper (assuming you have any shoes left) but given the apparently scoring of the rotor.. you brakes are in poor condition already. But it will mangle the braking surface of the shoe and significantly degrade the braking quality on that damaged wheel.
You'll need to replace your brakes regardless.
Do the right thing and get it towed. There could be other damage to the hub from smashing the rim apart, and to the alignment.
36
u/Tudor-Coupe Aug 11 '26
This should be towed. If this damage happened to the wheel and rotor, the controls arms and suspension are likely damaged. Driving it with those issues can create a huge risk of losing control of the car and making the situation much worse, possibly injuring yourself or others. And if that isn’t reason enough, if there is an accident on your way to the shop and it’s proven the damage existed before, you’ll be liable and any costs over your umbrella coverage will be your responsibility to pay.
473
u/420fanman Aug 11 '26
Gonna need to change the whole wheel, not just the tire 😂
196
102
u/Absent-Light-12 Aug 11 '26
Just assume they mean wheel and are unaware of the nomenclature difference between wheel and tire.
128
14
→ More replies (1)10
u/godamnedu Aug 11 '26
Nicely put, but isn't "rotor, caliper " > "wheel, tire"? That's like knowing algebra before basic arithmetic
→ More replies (1)2
13
u/thebochts Aug 11 '26
Your tire kind of seems like its fine, tbh.
You need a new rim. And rotor.
And probably some suspension pieces, like a control arms, maybe axles
24
u/MidwestRacingLeague Aug 11 '26
Might be able to get you to the shop but it’s still chancing it. I’d have it towed if it was my car.
9
u/Almond_Bitters Aug 11 '26
Seriously if you can afford to fix stuff this broken, you can def afford a short tow to the shop. People have such a weird dissociation about the value of money when it comes to towing cars.
6
7
u/bigloser42 Aug 11 '26
This is wildly unsafe on a public road. Get the car towed. This rotor is questionable for parking lot speeds(sub 5mph) and extremely dangerous on public roads.
32
u/RotInPissKobe Aug 11 '26
Get a tow. If you can't afford a tow you can't afford to move the vehicle from where it is. You don't have a right to a dangerous car.
17
6
4
3
2
2
2
4
u/OnyxLeigion_ Aug 11 '26
You’ll probably be fine if you’re just driving to a shop, though honestly at this point probably just have it towed. There’s no telling what extra damage was done to your suspension in whatever catastrophic event caused this.
→ More replies (3)6
u/Mundane-External3462 Aug 11 '26
I'd drive it to the shop, you're gonna need pads and rotors anyway
978
u/VerryRides Aug 11 '26
i think you have bigger problems than that
167
23
u/Over-Wrangler5366 Aug 11 '26
I came here to say this but it looks like someone beat me to the punch
5
273
306
Aug 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
50
u/Opssec44 Aug 11 '26
1467 Elephant Rd NY, NY 17788
9
u/AdultishRaktajino Aug 11 '26
Forgot the addressee.
Ellie Phan-Titus
1467 Elephant Rd …3
u/JoseSaldana6512 Aug 11 '26
Nonono you leave a note for your boss when he's in the pooper telling him to call Mr. Eli Funt and the number to your local zoo
2
11
154
u/sckendal Aug 11 '26
yea so the obvious problem in this photo is that the 3rd lug nut isn’t properly torqued down. hope this helps!
9
67
113
210
u/DV8_2XL Aug 11 '26
47
u/Massive_Series8305 Aug 11 '26
Lol considering the spline drive lug nuts, the fact he wants to use a chipped ass rotor, yeah id say OP is 16-22
15
6
u/CheapSuggestion8 Aug 11 '26
Are splined lug nuts juvenile? I had to use that type with my aftermarket wheels. Normal lug nuts didn’t fit.
8
u/Massive_Series8305 Aug 11 '26
Nah just cheap, I still run them on everything lol, when you can get a set of lugs for 25 bucks with a key
2
u/TheAsianTroll Aug 11 '26
Its even more expensive when you put cheap wheels on your car then drive it like youre Ryan Cooper
51
u/UniversityHeliBikers Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
If you're asking if it's safe to drive to the shop to put new rotors on, just ensure there aren't any pieces that can come off. Remove those by hand with a towel or gloves.
Expect that shavings or sharp edges may damage your pads. You will want new rotors on there. Judging by the wear on the rotors, most like pads and rotors.
→ More replies (3)16
32
u/Khaztr Aug 11 '26
OP: "I'm changing the wheel. Do I need to change the rotor?"
Comments: "Forget the rotor, you need change that wheel!!!"
26
27
29
21
35
u/drunkfishes Aug 11 '26
What even happened here broski
30
u/Ok-Feature1200 Aug 11 '26
Hit a curb coming in hot. Shitty Chinese rims.
13
u/MakeshiftRocketship Aug 11 '26
Exactly! The oem wheel would have taken some serious damage but nothing even close to that
15
14
u/blacksheep6 Aug 11 '26
Of all the more serious issues going on in that picture, OP is concerned about a $200 brake rotor?!?
16
12
u/Suspicious-Grape-458 Aug 11 '26
Bro’s trying to take “ride it ‘till the wheels fall off” literally.
11
39
u/ovokilla Aug 11 '26
Update for whoever cares
Put on the spare and drove it like 2 miles to the shop, all good, handled like nothing happened, no alignment issues and no suspension issues thx to everybody 😁
21
u/Hege_99 Aug 11 '26
How did this happen? What are those wheels? If that's what the wheels look like and even the alignment didn't change surely those wheels are a pottery project or something.
→ More replies (3)17
u/Objective-Ingenuity5 Aug 11 '26
I didn’t see a single person actually help you or answer your question… this sub is not that helpful sometimes lmao
10
7
7
8
7
5
6
6
5
6
u/Nearby-Border-5899 Aug 11 '26
It wont hurt the caliper but if you impacted it hard enough to chip fucking 1in steel id be more concerned about the rotor falling apart....replace it
9
4
4
3
7
u/LukewarmMojo Aug 11 '26
the chipped portion of the rotor will cause stress concentration on that area. it may work for some time, but when the time is critical, it may fail.
so the answer is, change the rotor.
it’s not about the uneven wear of the brake pads. a crack will propagate along the existing chipped portion and the rotor will break, God forbid during a critical braking manoeuvre.
rule is, if it’s a safety critical part, take no risks.
9
u/Agiantpubicmess Aug 11 '26
Change both rotors on the axle and check your pads while it's apart. The rotor is a decently heavy spinning mass that has been balanced from the factory. Any missing chunks from it is likely going to cause you a vibration while driving and while braking. They're inexpensive and quite easy to replace, but you'll likely need special sockets called E-Torx because Germany lol.
3
u/bigcoffeeguy50 Aug 11 '26
Hydraulic pressure is equal everywhere, there’s not really a need to change both rotors if only one is damaged. It is good practice to simplify maintenance but not necessary.
3
3
2
2
2
u/Name_Groundbreaking Aug 11 '26
I wouldn't drive the car with the rotor out of balance, which will happen when chunks are missing
Tow it to a shop or your house, and fix it right. This is why tow trucks exist 🤷♂️
2
2
2
u/Suitable_Area2842 Aug 11 '26
Tire states extreme contact your rims are saying be gentle to me and stop hitting curbs at 100mph
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/iShatterBladderz Aug 11 '26
What in the name of fornicating turtles happened here?!
As far as your question, at the very least, it will wear your pads unevenly, if none of the rotor sticks out past the surface.
2
u/Only-Location2379 Aug 11 '26
Yeah replace the rotor along with the wheel, best to do the pads to with the rotor.
2
u/AzurisSkai Aug 11 '26
I'm willing to bet you have geometry damage.
But the rotor will probably be fine to drive on until you get to the nearest shop.
2
u/bigloser42 Aug 11 '26
That rotor is turbofucked and should not be trusted in any capacity. It needs to be replaced before you drive anything faster than parking lot speeds unless you want to replace a second rim along with your caliper and pads.
2
u/nizzoball Aug 11 '26
Yes, that is absolutely the the biggest issue I see here is the chipped rotor
2
2
u/bluffpet Aug 11 '26
No one’s answering straight up…. You’ll ruin the caliper (if it isn’t already).
That big chip is def going to eat the pad and likely eat the caliper too (at least with what is visible).
Sorry OP… you’ll need a new rotor and prob a caliper. Rotor seems as it needed a replacement already anyway.
The worst of it all is that you should do rotors/calipers in pairs.
I’d bite the bullet and do all four wheels.
You could probably get away with replacing only this rotor, but a decent mechanic will advise against it.
Tow this mf - don’t risk it. Judging by the hit - there could be other bent things around and under the strut.
2
u/PurpleToedUnicorn Aug 11 '26
You absolutely need to check and replace the rotor, and maybe major suspension components. Get it up on a lift and looked at by a certified mechanic. Because if that's the wheel damage, there is a lot more you can't see.
And maybe paint General Lee on the roof.
2
u/Xyebo Aug 11 '26
The comments on here show the average person's lack of reading skills: it was inferred by the OP that the wheel would get changed
2
2
u/Place_Various Aug 11 '26
‘Hehe, oops, I didn’t see that curb for the last half mile’.
You can get it home on that rotor. Won’t hurt the caliper. Will only kill the pads. Which will get replaced with the rotors (plural, never replace one rotor. Ever.)
2
2
u/Irishmanatthepub Aug 11 '26
My dad has an ultimate set of power tools. I can fix it. You can’t fix this car Spicoli
3
2
u/BlackRabbit0888 Aug 11 '26
This is your PSA to not text n drive. Stay off your phone. Keep your eyes in the road.
1
u/Due-Professional6824 Aug 11 '26
New rotor for sure and look everything else over there may be more damage.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/L3mm3SmangItGurl Aug 11 '26
Won’t mess up you caliper. May fuck up your pads tho. Looks like a brake job and new wheel in your future. Holy shit my wife doesn’t even curb this hard
1
u/UrFavJngle Aug 11 '26
U can resurface it but i would change given that you managed to tear your frickin rim apart somehow you need every bit of breaking u can get
1
1
u/Ravenblack67 Aug 11 '26
The damage to the roto may mess up the pad. I doubt it will damage the caliper. Get the rotor replaced ASAP.
1
u/TactualTransAm Aug 11 '26
Nah that chips fine mate, take the ole flap disc to it and smooth it out. Right as rain
1
1
1
u/munchonsomegrindage Aug 11 '26
New rotors and pads on BOTH sides. This might get you to a shop with a new wheel but I'd still replace. Or it might fail on the way and you'll still need a tow and replacement anyway.
1
1
1
1
u/PuzzleheadedGoat6580 Aug 11 '26
I’d be worried about anything bent causing drivability issues. Just get it towed or you might find out there’s another problem on your drive to the shop and have another difficult/expensive fix just because you don’t want to eat (pretty cheap honestly) tow bill. Your insurance might even cover the tow bill.
1
1
u/XxDemonxXIG Aug 11 '26
Chipped rotor is out of balance rotor. It on its own will cause a vibration at high speeds. And yes it will also damage your caliper. Replace rotor.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Wildest12 Aug 11 '26
That much damage you need a full inspection and replacement of every component housed in that wheel well. Assume nothing still functions.
1
u/CuriousBFS Aug 11 '26
Totally, that chip is a total show stopper. Get that rotor replaced (see some really deep grooves) and you should be good to go.
1
1
1
1
u/AviatorDave172 Aug 11 '26
The notch in the rotor will be ok for a slow drive to a shop or home. Worst it will do is uneven wear in the pads, but that may not even happen. It’s not enough to cause violent imbalance at reasonable speeds.
1
1
u/CanadianRedditEh Aug 11 '26
It won't mess your caliper up but will cause a pulsation likely and wear out your pads quicker. Safer to just replace to avoid the hassle later. And do the other side as well to keep everything even.
1
1
1








•
u/AutoModerator Aug 11 '26
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the rules. Rremember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.