I noticed this since I bought the car. It has taken me a while to ask the forum. My rotors have dark spots and tonight I finally got pics. I am assuming this is my pulsing pedal issue. Is there a cheap fix? (sanding etc.)

 

Talk about deja vu - I went through this, 9 years ago and here's what I came up with:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ulsations.html

The factory pads are excellent and while you can certainly use other types of pads which may or may not result in uneven pad deposits on the rotor, I recommend getting rotors that won't cause pulsations no matter what pads are used.

 

Wow, great info and thanks for the link. Total expense?

Looks like it was about $300.00 plus pads? right?

 

Been there, done that! Warped Rotors.

Had that problem with both of my 98 vettes. Went on ebay and found some GM/Delco Performance Drilled / Vented Brake Rotors and ceramic pads. Paid about $300 + for the rotors and pads. But, that was years ago. Haven't had the pulsating brake pedal since I replaced the standard rotors and pads.

 

You can replace them if they need to be replaced, but the majority of brake "pulse" is not due to "warped" rotors. It is more often due to pad material buld up on the rotor from improper bedding or use (as in panic stops on cold brakes that are held after stop leaving a stamp like impression of pad material on the rotor).

If interested, read this link

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml

Good luck

 

The ONLY issue my Vette had when i bought it was the front rotors were slightly warped and I would get a pulse. The PO pointed it out to me as I test drove the car. Didn't concern me at all.. The first week of ownership, I took it to the local Les Schwab Tire center and they turned the rotors ON THE CAR (I even took pictures). It was quick and simple. Also, it was only $85 for both fronts. Car stops perfect with NO pulse. I was told I can still get 2 more "turns" out of the rotors with no problem as they didn't have to take much off. Even so, the rotors are CHEAP! Get them turned. Its totally worth the hour you will spend at the shop!

 

If you go with the standard PowerSlots, it's about $340 + pads. The cryo-PowerSlots are about $460 + pads.

I went with the cryo versions, since I'd rather spend a bit more up front and never have to change the rotors (only pads), again. Then again, I do run my car fairly hard on occasion and tend to keep my cars for more than 15 years, so the cost per year for a very high quality product is very low.

By the way, I did try the "slam on the brakes" suggestion (pulsations come back again) and "bedding the pads" routine (works with some pads and not others), as well as had the rotors turned (doesn't last more than 6000 miles).
I have found that nothing works as well as slotted rotors.

 

Brake cleaner and rag will take off the excess brake pad materiel build up. but then you have to bed the brakes in again.

No such thing as warped rotors.

 

Brake cleaner? First I've heard of that!! So that'll work swapping between Race and Street pads??

 

Although I do know you can warp a rotor, (I have seen fluctuating runout on the gauge), I don't think this is the problem. I do think they need to be re-bedded. I don't think brake cleaner will remove pad material left behind...at least not alone. No one addressed whether the sanding would help but I think I am going to try to clean the rotors and sand/scuff them. I'll follow that with bedding them and maybe that will give me a bit of time to put aside the bucks for rotors and pads.

Thanks all.

 

False... Mine were warped.

 

If your going to try that be sure you get all the abrasive off the rotor, or you will embed it in the pad. It might not be a bad idea to pull the caliper and pads off, before you do this. I've done this on my DD when replacing pads, but have never had reason to do it on the
C5.

 

Absolutely. I plan to sand them OFF the car. In order to be consistent, I want to try to rig something that is similar to turning them, but using sandpaper instead of a cutting tool. I plan to wetsand so I can rinse away residue. If it wasn't for the IRS comin' a callin' in December, I'd be doing the whole rotor and pads thing.