Brake Rotors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '10, '13
Brake Rotors
Hi all, Im right in the middle of doing my brakes and have a couple of questions - Im new at this (first time) so please forgive the basic questions.
1. Are Vette rotors special, or can I get off the shelf rotors from like NAPA?
2. If I have my original rotors turned. do I need to take them off the hubs or can they be turned while still riveted?
3. If I drill the rotor rivets off should I replace the rivets after the rotors are turned?
4. Where is the best place to get Rotors, if off the shelf rotors are not a good idea.
Like I said this is my first time and I want to do it right the first time out. so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
1. Are Vette rotors special, or can I get off the shelf rotors from like NAPA?
2. If I have my original rotors turned. do I need to take them off the hubs or can they be turned while still riveted?
3. If I drill the rotor rivets off should I replace the rivets after the rotors are turned?
4. Where is the best place to get Rotors, if off the shelf rotors are not a good idea.
Like I said this is my first time and I want to do it right the first time out. so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
1 vette rotors are C3 specific, fronts & rears are not the same offset even if they look to be identical apart from the 2 extra holes to adjust the parking brake.
2 they need to be taken off.
3 no, check for runout, position the rotor at the pos. with the least runout and mark rotor, wheel and hub so that everything goes together the same way it came apart.
4 replacement rotors are a good idea, they should be available at autozone and such but I would shop at VanSteel (I think they offer free shipping for forum members).
2 they need to be taken off.
3 no, check for runout, position the rotor at the pos. with the least runout and mark rotor, wheel and hub so that everything goes together the same way it came apart.
4 replacement rotors are a good idea, they should be available at autozone and such but I would shop at VanSteel (I think they offer free shipping for forum members).
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
2 they need to be taken off.
You might get away with doing them seperately, but why do a half *** job?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
The factory did it as a unit, riveted together but here there is not 1 shop that will mill the rotors and hub as 1 part, you have to take them apart so they can put it in the lathe....maybe it's different over there?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer MI
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The factory did it as a unit, riveted together but here there is not 1 shop that will mill the rotors and hub as 1 part, you have to take them apart so they can put it in the lathe....maybe it's different over there?
I'm with Twin Turbo in that no one around here will machine them as on unit, but at the same time I can see that it would be benifitial. I say if you can find a shop that will do the who assembly then go for it. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I drilled out the rotors and refaced them seperateley. I used a dial indicator and shims to shim them for less then .003 runnout. I also properly adjusted the front and rear bearings for a maximum free play of about .001. I also drill small holes in the parts and mark then with red paint so anything comming off goes back on in the same alignment.
I don't know of a shop here either that would machine the rotor with the hob rivited on either.
l will put my trued rotors against anyones for trueness. Most are well below the .003 runnout I allow.
I don't know of a shop here either that would machine the rotor with the hob rivited on either.
l will put my trued rotors against anyones for trueness. Most are well below the .003 runnout I allow.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: ca
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The factory did it as a unit, riveted together but here there is not 1 shop that will mill the rotors and hub as 1 part, you have to take them apart so they can put it in the lathe....maybe it's different over there?
http://www.echoequipment.com/8800.html
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: ca
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The factory did it as a unit, riveted together but here there is not 1 shop that will mill the rotors and hub as 1 part, you have to take them apart so they can put it in the lathe....maybe it's different over there?
http://www.echoequipment.com/8800.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
How does this on the car brake lathe work?
All wheel bearings will have some degree of "play." How does the brake lath machine the rotor accurately if the rotor/hub assembly itself is, even under best of conditions, free to move around by 0.001 or 0.002 inches or so? Also what about the Corvette C3 rear wheel, it seems that the drive shaft could make the rotor/hub/tailing arm assembly move around- particularly if the rear wheel was hanging free.
Aside from the questions above, if the on the car brake lathes do a good job with Corvette C3 rotors that's really all I need to know. I didn't know these things existed!
Thanks
All wheel bearings will have some degree of "play." How does the brake lath machine the rotor accurately if the rotor/hub assembly itself is, even under best of conditions, free to move around by 0.001 or 0.002 inches or so? Also what about the Corvette C3 rear wheel, it seems that the drive shaft could make the rotor/hub/tailing arm assembly move around- particularly if the rear wheel was hanging free.
Aside from the questions above, if the on the car brake lathes do a good job with Corvette C3 rotors that's really all I need to know. I didn't know these things existed!
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '10, '13
Thanks for all the input guys, I spent the afternoon drilling out the rivets and will search tomorrow for a place to get them turned - if that doesnt work out then I will give Van Steel a call and get some new ones in the mail.
Thanks again,
Thanks again,
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
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From: Chico Ca
Guys were talking C3's here not helicopters and F14's I would Drill the rivets out and put some NEW rotors on they are worth the money if just to keep the heat out, thin rotors create more heat. just my opinion PS can someone explain "runout" to me
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
I had mine done as a unit on a brake lathe. Don't know if it was the operator, or the rotor too thin already, but when I put them back on it was horrible. A lot of pulsating when I put on the brakes. Dangerously so. 
I'm going with new rotors.
I'm going with new rotors.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
You should try and locate an installer who has an on car brake lathe.
I don't see how this is possible. If the bearings but up to the allowable .008 play how can you true up the rotor??? What about the back with the half shafts and alot of play in the bearing??
Any clearance in the bearing and the rotor finish shows chatter. It takes a good lathe to produce a good finish.
I didn't read all the posts before posting this. It has already been covered.
I don't see how this is possible. If the bearings but up to the allowable .008 play how can you true up the rotor??? What about the back with the half shafts and alot of play in the bearing??
Any clearance in the bearing and the rotor finish shows chatter. It takes a good lathe to produce a good finish.
I didn't read all the posts before posting this. It has already been covered.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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Originally Posted by Love My 72 and 77
Guys were talking C3's here not helicopters and F14's I would Drill the rivets out and put some NEW rotors on they are worth the money if just to keep the heat out, thin rotors create more heat. just my opinion PS can someone explain "runout" to me
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
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From: Chico Ca
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Sorry, we're too busy talking about helicopters and F14 level technology to explain it to you. Or you could read the post right after yours about what happens when you don't get the runout right. BTW, thin rotors do not create more heat than thick ones.
YOU need to read the post right after mine a little closer he said he had his turned as a unit and it was horrible. I have a dodge truck and when I run thin rotors they most definetely get hotter faster and the heat dissapates into my caliper and ruins it as a direct result of running thin rotors. I was trying to be funny with the helicopter comment but as usual someone has to be uptight. I will now take your knowledge to task and ask you if you personally can explain runout to me. Or else next time im in Canada I will visit you and you will runout of the room!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by Love My 72 and 77
YOU need to read the post right after mine a little closer he said he had his turned as a unit and it was horrible. I have a dodge truck and when I run thin rotors they most definetely get hotter faster and the heat dissapates into my caliper and ruins it as a direct result of running thin rotors. I was trying to be funny with the helicopter comment but as usual someone has to be uptight. I will now take your knowledge to task and ask you if you personally can explain runout to me. Or else next time im in Canada I will visit you and you will runout of the room!
BTW, I don't appreciate your childish personal threats. Go play somewhere else.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Chico Ca
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Ahhhh, a Dodge owner. That explains it.
BTW, I don't appreciate your childish personal threats. Go play somewhere else.
BTW, I don't appreciate your childish personal threats. Go play somewhere else.
"CANADIAN GIRLS KICK ***" <--- THAT WAS A JOKE DO YOU GET IT??
WAHH WAHHH YOUR CHILDISH PERSONAL THREATS WAHHWAHHH CRYBABY EH'