Anyone have problems with warped rotors?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Anyone have problems with warped rotors?
My '01 has been at the dealer all week to correct a bunch of quality control problems, one of which was a shudder on hard braking. They replaced all 4 rotors, is this a common problem for C5s? I have run cars a lot harder than I do my C5 and never had rotors warp on me, on other cars the only time I had to put the rotors on a lathe was when I changed pads. If this is common, should I look into installing Z06 rear brake cooling ducts and cross-drilled rotors?
Thanks,
Artie
Thanks,
Artie
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Texas
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
I think everyone on the forum has had problems with the rotors on the c5. Get use to it , although , I had mine turned at 7000 miles and have not had any problems since. Im at 28000k now. But, i dont autocross the car either. :seeya
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (RACER-X-C5)
I had the fronts turned and the backs replaced at 18,000 miles and cannot get the squeking out of the fronts. I have heard everyone has problems with those damned rotors :mad
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (radoC5)
Yeah, the stock rotors are crap. I've gone through the warping issue a couple times, cracked a rear all the way through the outer half?!? and ground them down with Hawk performance pads. When am I gonna learn?..it's gotta be an upgrade set this next rebuild.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 252
From: Minnesota
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
My car gets driven hard, lots of autox and high speed road racing. I have never had a rotor warp. It seems that maybe they need some hard use now and again. Also, be sure to torque the lugs yourself anytime a Dealer or tire shop has touched your wheels. They don't usually bother doing it right. Also, as soon as you bring the car home after purchase, torque the lugs. When the Dealers install the locking lugs at the time they prep the cars for delivery, I doubt many of them torque them. :confused:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (Rippied Z06)
I did the torquing of the wheels already, at less than 2k miles because I had a vibration at 70 MPH, as soon as I get the car back I plan on retorquing the wheels. I have 10K miles now, I just couldn't believe that the stock rotors warped that easily!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
Factory Rotors = Dookie :yesnod:
Mine warped on my within the first 60 Days of ownership, so I ordered some Baer (Cross Drilled and Slotted) from RG @ Exit28Motorsports... and no more problems with 8 months of HARD driving.
:cheers:
Mine warped on my within the first 60 Days of ownership, so I ordered some Baer (Cross Drilled and Slotted) from RG @ Exit28Motorsports... and no more problems with 8 months of HARD driving.
:cheers:
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 14
From: TX
Cruise-In I Veteran
St. Jude Contributor '04
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
Stock rotors are prone to warp it seems but lots of members report no problems so whos to know what the problem is. I personally dont think the cooling ducts would help much. Baer rotors are a great replacement rotor if you decide to go that route and they will run much cooler than the stocks. Most guys buy the Baers for the looks...
Let us know if we can help you further, thanks.
Nate
Let us know if we can help you further, thanks.
Nate
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (bparker)
Looks like I might be buying some cross-drilled & slotted rotors. The last thing I want to worry about is braking power slowing down for Jersey traffic! I'll probably order 'em and put these nice new GM rotors in storage.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
GM's got a part number for drilled and slotted rotors that are, like, $5/per more expensive than the stock replacement rotor.
(One of the local club members has 'em on his FRC.)
Anybody have experience with them? Are they less prone to the shudder?
What I've heard is: It's not warpage. There's something occuring to change the friction coefficient, making it irregular over the surface of the rotor. I can tell when I go fast once, and slam on the binders hard the shimmy is NASTY. (cold rotors) If the brakes are good and hot = no vibration.
Based on a highly reliable source, checking the runout on a supposedly 'warped' rotor will probably show it isn't.
(That's not to say I haven't heat-checked a set myself...which is a bit more dramatic than warpage. :eek: )
(One of the local club members has 'em on his FRC.)
Anybody have experience with them? Are they less prone to the shudder?
What I've heard is: It's not warpage. There's something occuring to change the friction coefficient, making it irregular over the surface of the rotor. I can tell when I go fast once, and slam on the binders hard the shimmy is NASTY. (cold rotors) If the brakes are good and hot = no vibration.
Based on a highly reliable source, checking the runout on a supposedly 'warped' rotor will probably show it isn't.
(That's not to say I haven't heat-checked a set myself...which is a bit more dramatic than warpage. :eek: )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
NJVetteGuy;
I don't think that " everyone on the forum has had problems with warped rotors". I agree with Rippied Z06. I also drive my FRC hard and also race it and have NEVER had a problem with warped rotors. I do ware them down with the high performance racing pads, and have cracked the fronts and rear rotors because of high heat, but after I got more cooling air to the brakes, I have not crackes any more rotors.
One major reason that rotors become warped is that after getting the brakes hot after some spirited driving, the driver stops the car and keeps the brake pedel down. This will cause the rotors to warp and also heat up the brake fluid, which with too much of this will cause brake fade. By the way, I have found that the Hawk HP-10 pads are murder on the rotors and now use the Carbotech Panther Plus pads, which are excellent on the road or the track. Hope this is of some help. :)
I don't think that " everyone on the forum has had problems with warped rotors". I agree with Rippied Z06. I also drive my FRC hard and also race it and have NEVER had a problem with warped rotors. I do ware them down with the high performance racing pads, and have cracked the fronts and rear rotors because of high heat, but after I got more cooling air to the brakes, I have not crackes any more rotors.
One major reason that rotors become warped is that after getting the brakes hot after some spirited driving, the driver stops the car and keeps the brake pedel down. This will cause the rotors to warp and also heat up the brake fluid, which with too much of this will cause brake fade. By the way, I have found that the Hawk HP-10 pads are murder on the rotors and now use the Carbotech Panther Plus pads, which are excellent on the road or the track. Hope this is of some help. :)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
A large number of us have had warped rotors because the wheels were taken off and when put back on the lugs were not tightened correctly. That's what happened to me. In fact my happened overnight. I picked my car up Friday afternoon from the tire store, when I had my FM10's installed and did not check the lugs until Saturday morning.... :smash: Too late :mad :mad they were warped....
[Modified by Grzldvt, 8:53 PM 11/29/2001]
[Modified by Grzldvt, 8:53 PM 11/29/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (Grzldvt)
I've never had a rotor warp, on street or after track. There's basically 3 causes: improper lugnut torque, brakes on a hot rotor standing still, and dirty rotor/wheel/hub mating surfaces. All are very easy to watch out for, and I've never had a problem with my brakes.
Sam
Sam
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,510
Likes: 43
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (Sam Lin)
Resurfaced mine at 12000 miles and told me if I had further problems they would replace them. I'm trying to work out a deal if I pay the difference, they will replace with the drilled and slotted. We'll see what happens.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
Looks like I might be buying some cross-drilled & slotted rotors. The last thing I want to worry about is braking power slowing down for Jersey traffic! I'll probably order 'em and put these nice new GM rotors in storage.....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (Jim 47)
NJVetteGuy;
One major reason that rotors become warped is that after getting the brakes hot after some spirited driving, the driver stops the car and keeps the brake pedel down. This will cause the rotors to warp and also heat up the brake fluid, which with too much of this will cause brake fade.
One major reason that rotors become warped is that after getting the brakes hot after some spirited driving, the driver stops the car and keeps the brake pedel down. This will cause the rotors to warp and also heat up the brake fluid, which with too much of this will cause brake fade.
Also I understand you can actually "UNwarp" Rotors... If you get em nice and hot again and then brake hard. Then get your foot off the brakes till they cool. Or something like that... I read a post somewhere. Maybe someone can find it..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (chuckster)
chuckster:
Your "unwarping" technique should be worth trying. If I ever have warped rotors, I'll be sure to try that technique. :cheers:
Your "unwarping" technique should be worth trying. If I ever have warped rotors, I'll be sure to try that technique. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 0
From: Norman Oklahoma
Re: Anyone have problems with warped rotors? (NJVetteGuy)
I have had my car in once already for warped rotors, and they are warped again :mad I've only had my car for around a year. I'm going to order a set of Bear Eradispeeds and a good torque wrench, and get the entire brake area good and clean before installing them. I'm also thinking about getting some of those improved brake cooling ducts for the front (I just wish I could remember who sells them) maybe then I won't have to take the car in for new rotors every 6 months. Also do the Eradispeeds come cryo treated? If not can you get it done? What is a good rotor friendly, no dust pad? And can you get cross drilled and slotted rotors turned?
Jerry
Jerry
