rotor question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
rotor question
I recently became the proud owner of a '99 Coupe. During some shakedown drives I have noticed the brakes pulsating as the car slows down with brakes applied. I assumed it was rotors and checked at a local Chev dealer to see if they could be machined. Dealer service rep says sure, bring it on in, we've turned rotors on the same Vettes two and three times. I double checked with a local independent Corvette shop and was told they shouldn't be turned at all, much less two or three times, they were too thin to begin with and should be replaced.
Who is right? Can the front rotors be turned? More than once?
I am new to Vettes and to this forum, and will appreciate any advice you can give me.
Who is right? Can the front rotors be turned? More than once?
I am new to Vettes and to this forum, and will appreciate any advice you can give me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 103
From: Des Moines Iowa
Majority of members on this forum will tell you to not turn the rotors. I agree. It's my understanding that the pulsating pedal may be due to build up of brake pad material, rather than warped rotors..........
I've seen suggestions to take a vette exhibiting this condition, out to a suitable location where you can SAFELY bring it to quick hard stops from 60 + mph. It is said that doing this several times can help burn/scrap off the build up of brake pad material on the rotors. Worth a try.
If you decide to replace rotors, many forum members suggest / use replacement rotors from NAPA. A large number of members who track their cars, swear by the NAPA rotors, which are claimed to work good and be fairly inexpensive.........around $30 ea.
I've seen suggestions to take a vette exhibiting this condition, out to a suitable location where you can SAFELY bring it to quick hard stops from 60 + mph. It is said that doing this several times can help burn/scrap off the build up of brake pad material on the rotors. Worth a try.
If you decide to replace rotors, many forum members suggest / use replacement rotors from NAPA. A large number of members who track their cars, swear by the NAPA rotors, which are claimed to work good and be fairly inexpensive.........around $30 ea.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,305
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Nothing wrong with turning rotors as long as they are within specs. I suggest you pull them off and take them down to a shop like Pep Boys where if they are within tolerances turn them for about $5 each.
If you do turn them you should replace the pads when you put it back together.
BTW. I agree that pulsating is usually from a build up of brake pad material and would try the method mentioned above before I pulled them off.
If you do turn them you should replace the pads when you put it back together.
BTW. I agree that pulsating is usually from a build up of brake pad material and would try the method mentioned above before I pulled them off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Stomp On Em Hard
Most rotors pulsating are just doing that because they have accumulated too much brake material on the rotor surface.
Go to a nice straight open place where you can get the car up to 90 MPH or so. Stomp on them till you go down to about 10 MPH.
Repeat about 9 times. The brakes will be hot as hell but you should burn off the excess pad material.
Caution: DON"T COME TO A STOP with the HOT PADS or you will leave more pad material on the rotors than you started with.
Look up BEDDING the brakes on here for more info and links to other sites telling you how to do this in great detail.
My rotors were cut when I first purchased the C5. 36K miles later I decided to replace the front ones when doing the brakes. Rear ones were fine. Cost me $22.80 per rotor about 2 years ago at GM wholesaler for original GM rotors. Don't go with drilled unless you want to see them crack at the holes.
BIGHANK
Go to a nice straight open place where you can get the car up to 90 MPH or so. Stomp on them till you go down to about 10 MPH.
Repeat about 9 times. The brakes will be hot as hell but you should burn off the excess pad material.
Caution: DON"T COME TO A STOP with the HOT PADS or you will leave more pad material on the rotors than you started with.
Look up BEDDING the brakes on here for more info and links to other sites telling you how to do this in great detail.
My rotors were cut when I first purchased the C5. 36K miles later I decided to replace the front ones when doing the brakes. Rear ones were fine. Cost me $22.80 per rotor about 2 years ago at GM wholesaler for original GM rotors. Don't go with drilled unless you want to see them crack at the holes.
BIGHANK
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I recently became the proud owner of a '99 Coupe. During some shakedown drives I have noticed the brakes pulsating as the car slows down with brakes applied. I assumed it was rotors and checked at a local Chev dealer to see if they could be machined. Dealer service rep says sure, bring it on in, we've turned rotors on the same Vettes two and three times. I double checked with a local independent Corvette shop and was told they shouldn't be turned at all, much less two or three times, they were too thin to begin with and should be replaced.
Who is right? Can the front rotors be turned? More than once?
I am new to Vettes and to this forum, and will appreciate any advice you can give me.
Who is right? Can the front rotors be turned? More than once?
I am new to Vettes and to this forum, and will appreciate any advice you can give me.
However, turning the rotors is probably not the way to address your problem. The rotors should be inspected for any damage or corrosion that may be causing your symptoms. But more than likely making several hard stops as recommended above will probably work. A lot of brake problems occur because people don't use their brakes hard enough.
Bill
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
thanks
Thanks for the advice. The scraping/burning sounds like a great place to start. I'll try that first. Not sure right now where I can go to accelerate- decelerate several times so that's my next challenge.
