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My vehicle is sitting outside for a couple of months, more precisely, since around April 4th 2021 when I drove back from a safety inspection. Back then, the shop that inspected it required me the following in order to pass safety inspection:

  • Rear: Both Rotors, Callipers and Breakpads.
  • Front: Left Hub only.
  • Battery, and other parts.

Where I live (Ontario) I am required to pass safety inspection in order to be able to drive my vehicle. And since my battery was also dead, I didn't even drove around the block.

Yesterday I came close to my vehicle and I could tell the front rotors were all rusted. I am about to start fixing it and changing all the parts myself. And, I have a feeling that I will need new front rotors as well, though two months ago the safety report said they were in good condition.

I will start working on it this next weekend. But, assuming all that rust is superficial, what would be the best way to procedure?

  • Buff out the rotors if rust is superficial? If so, what is the proper way to do that?
  • Order new rotors right now?

Thanks for your time.

[EDIT]

Here are some pictures of the front left rotor.

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The rust seem to be superficial, I already drove it to a friends garage, I will see tomorrow how is the state after breaking a few times. I will try to take all the rust out around it just to make it look nice to the garage shop guy that will be inspecting it.

I do have to change the bering hub for this wheel, give that was required on the last safety check I did. Part of me thinks that I should just change the whole thing as well. But, right now I don't want spend more money, unless this rust could be an issue for safety check.

Given those pictures, what do you guys think? Thanks a lot.

Eduardo Reis
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1 Answers1

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See if your battery will take a charge before you do anything else. Most likely it will take a charge, but always the chance it might not. Best to not spend the money if you don't have to.

As far as the brake rotors go ... as long as there isn't any pitting on the rotor, take the car out for a slow drive and brake often. More than likely as long as the brakes were good to start with, this action will be more than enough to clean off the rotors. Rotors usually don't start pitting until there's years of non-use, so these are probably good also.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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