Should you take your car to a professional to have a brake rotor replaced?

While many people can replace their own brake pads, Edmunds.com suggests that professional help may be needed to change brake rotors. Replacement or turning of brake rotors on a brake lathe may involve equipment that most car owners don't have available.

Replacing brake pads regularly and whenever needed can help prolong the life of brake rotors. Squealing or grinding sounds during braking, the car pulling to one side, and vibration while braking are all signs that rotors need to be changed. While car owners trying to save money sometimes just replace the brake pads rather than the rotors, doing so just causes overheating of the rotor and shreds the new brake pads.