Which rotor is warped?

Honda experts,

I would like to ask a question about brakes, on my 97 Civic, LX.

I'm getting a vibration when I press on the brakes. The brakes have
always worked, the vibration is less when I press harder.

I'm thinking the problem is the rotor(s). I'm planning to replace the
rotors this weekend.

My question is: Is there any way I can see this, to confirm this? Is
the warping enough that I would be able to see it?

Specifically, could the problem be in only one rotor? If so, I'd like
to replace only the one that's bad, but I'm not sure how to tell.

A new rotor is $25. Probably better to put new rotors on, right? I
could have them resurfaced, but I'm guessing it would cost about the
same.

Thank you,
Bill

 

You have warping, and those symptoms don't point to anything else.

It's always difficult to tell which rotor. That's the benefit of
taking it to a shop. But most of the time, it's the fronts, sine they
receive the vast majority of braking force.

It's unwise to replace/resurface just one rotor. If the braking
efficiency was different on the left vs. right side of the car, the
vehicle would pull to one side when braking. In an emergency stop, the
pull would be unpredictable (i.e., gentle versus violent) and
potentially unsafe. So replace both sides.

If the rotors are that cheap, go for it. Resurfacing will be slightly
cheaper usually. But you'e nor hurting anything by spending a few
extra dollars. Don't forget to resurface the hub if it is rusty. You
can do this with steel wool. Just get the old rust off the hub, so the
new rotors will have a perfectly flat surface to rest against. Some
cars are more sensitive to this than others.