Riveted Rotors???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Flanders N.J.
Riveted Rotors???
OK, I take the Vette in today to have the calipers, pads and rotors replaced and the mechanic tells me that the original rotors are still on the car, because they were riveted on?? Back in 1982??
Did Chevy actually do that?? Why??
Cost me an extra 2 hours worth of labor to get them off, and just wondered what was the reason for riveting them on, and if anyone else had the same problem... :confused:
[Modified by PB82CE, 6:23 PM 3/27/2003]
Did Chevy actually do that?? Why??
Cost me an extra 2 hours worth of labor to get them off, and just wondered what was the reason for riveting them on, and if anyone else had the same problem... :confused:
[Modified by PB82CE, 6:23 PM 3/27/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (PB82CE)
The rotors are riveted on, because I believe they are manufactured as a unit. The riveting allows for closer tolerances when it comes to runout.
The above may not be entirely correct, but that's how I understand it.
When I rebuilt my front end, I bought a carbide bit and I drilled out the rivets. It does not take anywhere near two hours. I'm sorry he charged you that. To drill out the rotors took this first timer fifteen minutes. Not a big deal.
Next time, try doing the brakes yourself. It's easy and a lot less expensive than having someone else do it for you. You could do the whole thing in a shade over an hour.
:cheers:
The above may not be entirely correct, but that's how I understand it.
When I rebuilt my front end, I bought a carbide bit and I drilled out the rivets. It does not take anywhere near two hours. I'm sorry he charged you that. To drill out the rotors took this first timer fifteen minutes. Not a big deal.
Next time, try doing the brakes yourself. It's easy and a lot less expensive than having someone else do it for you. You could do the whole thing in a shade over an hour.
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (PB82CE)
Yes, they were riveted at the factory. Anyone that doesn't have the rivets has had the rotors off at least once. And 2 hours extra labor is a fair price because it's a real PITA to get them off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (79VetteMike)
Well, I burnt up a drill getting them out. Maybe others have had better luck. I agree, try doing it yourself next time. Mechanics easily take advantage of people that don't know any better.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Flanders N.J.
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (79VetteMike)
Dont get me wrong, I'm not bitchin about the cost for the two hours, for me it was worth it. Just wondering why they (CHEVY-GM) would do that?? :confused:
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (PB82CE)
Chevy did it because when the rotors are NOT riveted on and you bleed the brakes the rotor moves the pistons move ( remember the .007" runout rule? ) and pumps air into the system. You cannot, well it's really hard, to get a good bleed with the rotors unriveted. O-Ring calipers will help tho...
I actually recommend tapping the hubs for a 3/8x16 and using screws to hold the rotors steady, much better bleed that way...
I actually recommend tapping the hubs for a 3/8x16 and using screws to hold the rotors steady, much better bleed that way...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (PB82CE)
I agree with 427. You have to use the lug nuts to hold the rotor in place.
And I understand the whole time vs money thing. I've sent my car into the shop on more than one occasion, when I was too busy to mess with it. But then I inevitably get taken advantage of. So unless it's really bad, I try it on my own.
:cheers:
And I understand the whole time vs money thing. I've sent my car into the shop on more than one occasion, when I was too busy to mess with it. But then I inevitably get taken advantage of. So unless it's really bad, I try it on my own.
:cheers:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (gtr1999)
Kind of stinks, huh..
I just went through this... use hardened drill bit.. very easy then.
From what I understand, it was an economics thing. With the rotors riveted it saved time on the assembly line. 1 motion versus 2 or 3. Also, the General sold complete units with hub, etc... as replacement (they still do). Lugs will hold the new rotors on (like a modern car) Once you do this, you won't have to do it again.
Good Luck
I just went through this... use hardened drill bit.. very easy then.
From what I understand, it was an economics thing. With the rotors riveted it saved time on the assembly line. 1 motion versus 2 or 3. Also, the General sold complete units with hub, etc... as replacement (they still do). Lugs will hold the new rotors on (like a modern car) Once you do this, you won't have to do it again.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Flanders N.J.
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (gtr1999)
The rotors werent really that bad as far as wear goes, but I had one or two that were warped, and rotting out from the inside. We replaced all 4 rotors and calipers, and the braking now, is great. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: Riveted Rotors??? (PB82CE)
The rotors were riveted on at the factory because they were turned along with the axle shaft as unit. This minimized rotor run out when installed. They obviously don't need re-riveted but do make sure that the rotor runout is held to a minimum when they're reinstalled. Check by holding the rotor in place with the lugnuts and use a dial indicator to make sure everything is in spec. If out, check for dirt or rust on the hub or rotor. If there isn't anything obvious that woud affect runout, use some shim stock to try to get things back in line. If that still doesn't work whoever turned the rotors didn't get them true and should re-do them.
