‘They Don’t wanna turn the rotors the same way Mcdonald’s employees don’t wanna make shakes.’
An O’Reilly customer is gaining traction on TikTok after accusing an employee there of trying to push him into buying new rotors based on what he claims were inaccurate measurements.
In a now-viral video, Christopher (@ddub.christopher) alleges that an O’Reilly worker effectively tried to upsell him after taking what he describes as a flawed measurement of his brake rotors. In the nearly five-minute clip, Christopher questions whether other customers have had similar experiences.
According to Christopher, the O’Reilly employee measured his rotors at 10.1 millimeters and suggested that because the figure was “within a millimeter of the minimum thickness,” the rotors could not be turned or resurfaced. That assessment immediately raised red flags for Christopher, who says he went to the store specifically to have his rotors “turned down,” not replaced.
Instead, he says, he watched the employee rely on what he describes as “inaccurate” and “well-used” tools to reach that conclusion. Christopher claims the worker used calipers—rather than a micrometer—to measure the rotor thickness, producing a result that he says was not only wrong but also “grossly out of calibration.”
Christopher says he pushed back at the time and told the employee as much. He reports that the employee said, “It probably is,” and walked away, leaving him “speechless.” As of this writing, his video recounting the encounter has racked up nearly 3,000 views.
After leaving the store, Christopher says he took matters into his own hands. Using his own micrometer, he says he measured the rotors himself and got 10.857 millimeters “all the way around the rotor.”
“You’re supposed to take six different measurements around the rotor to make sure you’re not getting any kind of wave or something else,” he says.
That discrepancy only deepened his frustration, particularly after the O’Reilly employee refused to engage with his concerns, he says.
“The issue I have is not that I burned up two hours of my day dealing with incompetent people, but the fact that if you take a minimum measurement, it’s a minimum measurement for a reason,” Christopher says. “There shouldn’t be a minimum measurement to the minimum measurement. That’s not a thing.”
Christopher also points to O’Reilly’s own website, which he says states that rotors are measured using a micrometer and references minimum thickness standards—procedures he argues were not followed during his visit.
“How many new rotors has that O’Reilly store sold that they shouldn’t have sold?” Christopher asks, also questioning whether employees handling these measurements fully understand the work they’re doing.
He then lays out what he believes the process should look like: using a properly calibrated micrometer, taking six measurements around the rotor, and determining whether resurfacing would still keep the rotor within the minimum limit. If not, he says, only then should a customer be sold a replacement.
“Has anybody else run into a situation like this?” Christopher asked TikTok users.
Christopher is right that, to measure your brake rotors, a micrometer is the preferred tool, though a digital caliper can work if used carefully. What matters most is comparing your measurement to the rotor’s minimum thickness, which is usually stamped on the rotor itself.
Measurements shouldn’t be taken at just one spot. Rotors wear unevenly, which is why most mechanics will check three to six points around the rotor, typically about 10 millimeters in from the outer edge, and use the lowest number to judge whether the rotor is still safe to machine or drive on.
For replacement, if any measurement falls below the minimum thickness, the rotor must be replaced. Pulsation is another red flag. If the brake pedal vibrates, the rotor may have disc thickness variation, which often means replacement is the safer option. When rotors need to be replaced, they should always be replaced in pairs on the same axle to maintain braking balance.
Most drivers will have their rotors checked during a brake pad change. Depending on driving habits and conditions, rotors typically last 30,000 to 70,000 miles.
Plenty of commenters who saw Christopher’s video said they understood his frustration but argued he was aiming it at the wrong place. Several suggested it was unfair to fault O’Reilly for the situation, noting that the chain isn’t a repair shop and isn’t equipped to specialize in the kind of work he was seeking.
One viewer advised a more direct approach, writing, “Take the rotors to a machine shop and write down what you want b/c if you start talking, they won’t do the job, either.”
Another person zeroed in on staffing and expectations, pushing back on Christopher’s criticism. “[You’re] talking about some guy getting paid $12 an hour,” they said in defense of the employees. “He doesn’t know any better. Should have taken them to a local auto shop.”
That sentiment was reinforced by someone who said the issue was being framed incorrectly altogether. “It’s a parts store, not an auto shop,” the commenter wrote. “The amount of people that expected us to change out their [expletive] that we DON’T replace, or have ‘proper tools’ for [expletive] like this is appalling.”
Others questioned why Christopher was making such an issue out of resurfacing rotors at all, suggesting replacement would have been simpler and cheaper.
“Dude the rotors are probably 25 bucks just buy a couple new rotors and be done with it,” one man argued.
“Or just replace them and do the job properly,” another chimed in.
“Just replace them,” a third added.
Motor1 has contacted Christopher via a direct message on TikTok and O’Reilly via email. We will update this story if either party responds.
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