1998 Honda Civic Brake Rotor Specifications

Any time a the brake pads are being replaced or inspected, it is important to measure the thickness of the rotors. On a 1998 Honda Civic, the rotors have two main specifications: nominal thickness and minimal machining thickness.

Nominal Thickness

The nominal thickness of a rotor is the thickness of that vehicle's rotor when new. The 1998 Honda Civic's front rotors have a nominal thickness of 0.827 inches.

Minimal Machining

The minimal machining is the thinnest that the rotor's disc can be and still allow for resurfacing. When it falls below this specification, the rotor must be replaced. The 1998 Honda Civic's front rotors have a minimal machining specification of 0.748 inches.

Considerations

The reasoning for these specifications is to prevent farther damage or unsafe braking. When a new rotor with the incorrect nominal thickness is installed, it can lead to uneven braking. This results in a severe pull to one side while braking. If a rotor falls below the minimal machining specification, the caliper;s internal piston must overextend to stop the vehicle. This can result in the caliper piston locking or complete brake failure.