At 10:08 AM 03/12/98 -0800, you wrote:
>Question,
>Is it ever necessary to turn a new rotor or drum prior to instalment? 
>My girlfriends father took a car to a shop and they charged for turning
rotors and drums and also charged for new parts.  Whats up?  
>
>
Speaking for Vanagons:
I would only have the rotors turned if they have visible groves. The
tolerances are so tight that you will either go under the recommended
thickness or limit the lifespan of the disk. The same goes for drums unless
they are not round. Many shops take off too much so that they can sell more
parts. I would be very reluctant to trust shops with turning. 
You will hear the arguments like glazing of the surface (as the metal heats
and cools the surface hardens), but usually it is a standard routine to make
more money. Depending on the pads you are using you can only expect one
brake pad change for the Vanagon disks before you have to replace them anyway. 

Bj�rn Ratjen

Mill Bay, B.C. 

1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD
(1982 Vanagon Diesel)
1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)