Warped Rotors???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD., U.S.
Warped Rotors???
My car recently developed a shimmy when braking. It is most noticable at high speeds and just before coming to a stop in neutral. I took it to the dealer and they gave me a really hard time, telling me that it was normal and I even had to fight to get them to measure the rotors, which they said were within acceptable limits. I have seen a lot of complaints on the forum about warped rotors. My car could have another problem, like tire balancing I guess, but it only has a shimmy when braking. Has this shimmy happened to anyone and do you have any suggestions? I will be trying another dealer. I bought my car from a really small dealer and the only reason I went back was for the free oil changes. Thanks in advance. BTW, my car only has 5,800 miles.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: VIDOR TEXAS
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Z06Scott)
I had the same problem with my car. My mechanic told me that GM rotors were notorius for warping. I pulled all four rotors and had them turned. Made all the difference and cost me $28. Of course my car has 50K miles not 5800.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: KS
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Readsvette)
Mine did the same thing with similar miles. The rotors seem to warp very easily. I wouldn't let them try the "repair" route. New GM rotors can be had for $55 for the front. Just make sure you have a clean surface when mounting and check the lug nut torque carefully. I have watched the torque specs carefully and the rotors seem to be working well, even for track work. :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 0
From: Taylor TX
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Z06Scott)
If you really want to understand the magnitude of this problem, try doing a search for "rotor". I know of several threads where we beat this issue to death with every imaginable theory for the "cause". You won't find a clear answer, it's one of life's little mysteries.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
Re: Warped Rotors??? (lotzahp)
You have the same symptoms I had when my rotors were warped. I had them turned and they are now starting to warp again less than a year later. I would buy new rotors and replace them, but not sure which ones I would go with though. Be sure to torque the lug nuts properly after install.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Jeff Jeff)
Same problem with my '02 with only 3k miles...i brought it back to the dealer and they gave me a hard time. Brought it to a local vette specialists and he told me they were warped. Having him type a letter and i'm going to give it to the dealer.
Can't believe these GM tech's; and they are supposed to be certified.
Can't believe these GM tech's; and they are supposed to be certified.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
Re: Warped Rotors??? (bk)
I had the same problem on my 1999 coupe. The first set warped at 6500 miles....the dealer replaced all four rotors under warranty...at 15000 miles they warped again. This time I replaced them with Baer rotors and Hawk pads...no warping at 32000 miles.....I'm waiting for a good 6 piston 14" front, 4 piston 14" kit for around $2k. With my coming engine upgrades I'll need better braking. One thing I heard that helps prevent warping is to drive the car slowly for 15 minutes after severe brake usage. This gives the rotors a chance to cool evenly without the hotspot under the pads
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 36
From: INDIANA
Re: Warped Rotors??? (HIGHRPM)
If you read GM's tech bulletin on this at Kens website, you will see a whole pile of crap about not covering warped rotors if ANYONE other than a GM dealer has ever had the wheels off. Well, with all this rotor info out there, when I took my new Z06 wheels off to paint the rotors and hubs(nasty rust showing on the hub area next to the wheel), I checked the torque required to undo each lug nut: Imagine this, they varied from 40 ft/lbs to 145 ft/lbs, and GM has the nerve to tell me about Non-Gm dealers work may be suspect?? HAA
Sure does seem funny though that most of use have driven cars for "many" years, and until the last few, no one ever much worried about torquing the wheel lug nuts with a torque wrench(like they have one with the spare tire and jack kit for when you have a flat), and there was no mass warped rotor syndrome in past years.(as little past as the C4's).
Sure does seem funny though that most of use have driven cars for "many" years, and until the last few, no one ever much worried about torquing the wheel lug nuts with a torque wrench(like they have one with the spare tire and jack kit for when you have a flat), and there was no mass warped rotor syndrome in past years.(as little past as the C4's).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Re: Warped Rotors??? (LT1GMC)
I agree with LT1GMC. MY 2001 wheels were torqued all over the place, from 90 to 140 foot pounds from then factory. That is unless the dealer messed with them. Anyway I indicated my own rotors on the front and found only .001 to .0015 total runout, which is within the .003 spec. But I have the same symptoms as the thread originator but in a mild way not to noticable.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD., U.S.
Re: Warped Rotors??? (CJS)
As I recall they told me my runout was .002 which is within GM specs. :bs I will be trying another dealer to verify this and then replacing the rotors myself if I have to. :rolleyes:
[Modified by Z06Scott, 11:28 AM 4/16/2002]
[Modified by Z06Scott, 11:28 AM 4/16/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Z06Scott)
Same problem on my 99 when it had about 8500 miles on it last year. The dealer replaced a four rotors as they won't turn rotors. And in 7000 easy miles they are warped again. I'm waiting for LAPD to ship new Eradispeed enhanced slotted/drilled rotors, HAWK pads and SS lines. The factory rotors are junk. I can't believe a Corvette would have brakes that can't withstand street driving let alone any sort of performance driving.
My advice - junk the OEM and go after market and be done with the problem.
Tom
USAF Retired
My advice - junk the OEM and go after market and be done with the problem.
Tom
USAF Retired
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Z06Scott)
If the lug nuts aren't torqued exactly correct, it can cause rotor warping. And any shop who uses the air impact wrenches as a "torque wrench", or tries to feed you the B.S. that they're just as accurate as a manual torque wrench is w r o n g. They should be hand torq'd to 100 all the way around... driven for about 10 minutes, then hand torq'd once more. Stand right there and listen yourself for the two-clicks on the wrench. :) That way you know they're right.
Yes, I'm a hard head. :jester
Yes, I'm a hard head. :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Gunny)
I watched a fellow club member torque my wheels after a recent mod day. I first touqued them to 50 in a star pattern, did all four wheels, came around and took them to 75 and then finished them up at 100. I think that is probably the most accurate and technically correct method I'd ever seen. I insisted on this method when I had my new chrome Z06 wheels installed and stood and watched. But the wheels are coming off soon to do new rotors/pads and SS lines so I'll get a chance to do it again myself.
Tom
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,885
Likes: 2
From: Corpus Christi TX
Re: Warped Rotors??? (Z06Scott)
I've heard another area to be careful with is washing the car. If you had to drive to the car wash or for whatever reason the rotors got hot before the wash.....do not spray them down unless they've cooled! Let the car sit and cool off.
Not sure if it's made a difference or not on my Z, but all is well after 2400 miles. :smash:
Not sure if it's made a difference or not on my Z, but all is well after 2400 miles. :smash:
