Rotor warpage
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Rotor warpage
The brake rotor thread that bogus started got me thinking. When I apply my brakes from moderate speeds, ie: 35-45 mph, my brakes feel normal. Coming off an exit ramp at 75 mph, my brakes pulse like the rotors are warped. Now, I have not been particulary gentle with my brakes, but I am suprised that I am having warping issues. My question, though, is what harm could come from just leaving the rotors as they are and not worrying about the warping? They are not super terrible yet, but I am just wondering if I can just use them up (so to speak).
Thanks...
-Ed
Thanks...
-Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: Henderson NV
Ed, my thinking is that at that speed and you're slowing rather quickly, the ABS is coming into play. My Ruby's pedal "pulses" under hard pressure when I stand on the brake to come to a quick stop. If your rotors are warped, you would feel them even at very slow speed when the brake is applied. It doesn't take much "run-out" to make your pedal bounce if the rotors are at fault.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Leave the problem alone?????
If you drive around long enough with warped rotors they get worse and not better. Why not bite the bullit. Rotors are not that expensive and even I can install them
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
You can put a dial indicator on them to check thier trueness. Or even just sight down them while spinning them by hand. You can pick up one of those indicators + stand at Harbor Frieght for under $15.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by ittlfly
You can put a dial indicator on them to check thier trueness. Or even just sight down them while spinning them by hand. You can pick up one of those indicators + stand at Harbor Frieght for under $15.
I'd pull the rotors and have them turned before they get so bad that they can't be machined. I pulled mine first thing in the morning and NAPA had them back to me at about 4:00.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 0
From: North Aurora Il
When warped they heat unevenly and (I'm told) this leads to more warping.
Do you drive daily? Somethimes if I go a week or so without driving, a little rust forms on the rotors and I get some pulsing on when appling brakes at highway speeds.
Do you drive daily? Somethimes if I go a week or so without driving, a little rust forms on the rotors and I get some pulsing on when appling brakes at highway speeds.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
[QUOTE=John Row]The problem I had with this is where to mount the magnet! Everything is plastic or aluminum!
Right. I have used the side of my smaller metal tool box to mount the magnet...then extended the arm with the indicator to the rotor. Since it is easily moved about, it worked pretty slick.
Right. I have used the side of my smaller metal tool box to mount the magnet...then extended the arm with the indicator to the rotor. Since it is easily moved about, it worked pretty slick.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 1
From: traveling nowhere fast, FL
The problem I had with this is where to mount the magnet! Everything is plastic or aluminum!
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
Recommendation if and when you replace rotors....cryo treatment! It only costs maybe $20 extra dollars per rotor and it will definately extend the life of the rotor (chance of warpage decreases by 300%) and allow you to run a more agressive performance style brake pad. Many seasons of racing..ONE set of rotors! Don't rule it out..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by vetteseniorcit
Ed, my thinking is that at that speed and you're slowing rather quickly, the ABS is coming into play. My Ruby's pedal "pulses" under hard pressure when I stand on the brake to come to a quick stop. If your rotors are warped, you would feel them even at very slow speed when the brake is applied. It doesn't take much "run-out" to make your pedal bounce if the rotors are at fault.
I would just outright replace them, but they (the fronts) were new when I bought the car (about 8k miles ago). Funny thing is, I brake aggressively in my wife's 98 grand Prix, and i have NEVER felt any pulsing... and her rotors have been on there for about 40k miles!!!