Correct direction for drilled rotors
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 198
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From: VA BEACH VA
Correct direction for drilled rotors
Hey guys, I ordered new drilled and slotted rotors with new pads for my 87 vert. Looking at different installation pictures I see the direction of the slots on the rotors going in both directions, open end facing the front and closed end facing the front. Is there a clear or proper direction or does it make a difference as long as they are all going in the same direction? I installed mine with the open end facing front and I really don't want to have to pull them off. The rear calipers are a real PITA with the emergency brake setup. Brakes look great and seem to be working properly.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
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From: Northern California
The Front Rotors should be installed with the Cooling Vanes curved edge " ) " facing the front, regardless of what direction the Slots are facing.
The Slots on the face of the rotors should be directional meaning the slots should both face forward / on the left and right sides or both face rearward \ on both sides. It depends on each manufacturers design but, with the slots facing forward / braking is more aggressive. with the slots facing rearward \ brake pad wear is reduced.
The Rear rotor cooling vanes are straight so, they could be installed on either side.
The Slots on the face of the rotors should be directional meaning the slots should both face forward / on the left and right sides or both face rearward \ on both sides. It depends on each manufacturers design but, with the slots facing forward / braking is more aggressive. with the slots facing rearward \ brake pad wear is reduced.
The Rear rotor cooling vanes are straight so, they could be installed on either side.
Last edited by GKK; Mar 22, 2010 at 10:29 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Why are your rear calipers a problem with the emergency brake?? The OEM emergency brake is a small drum brake. The rear rotors have the drum built in and the shoes are part of the hub/knuckle assembly.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
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From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Just look at the cooling veins like was posted by GKK. That is important. Some rotor manufactures use straight veins inside. If that is the case it won't matter which way they go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 198
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From: VA BEACH VA
No, it was just a problem getting to the hardware to take off the emergency brake bracket. I had to drive the rear wheels up on some bricks to get it high enough to get a jack under it to get it off the ground. You're right, the E brake is inside and this is a good time to adjust the shoes while the rotor is off. My E brake has never worked this good
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
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From: backwoods upstate ny
directional rotors ('slanted'/curved cooling vanes), at the TOP of the rotor the cooling vanes must lean to the rear of the car...'slots' (grooves) cut on the friction face can lean either forward or back, varies with mfr.
Last edited by redrose; Mar 22, 2010 at 02:17 PM.
