Do brake rotors unwarp?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 910
Likes: 430
From: MN
Do brake rotors unwarp?
'14 C7 Stingray M7.
Once in a while when I apply the brakes the car shakes. "warped rotors". "build up of brake pad material".
But then the next time I hit the brakes, they're fine. A short while later, it shakes again. This can happen with minutes in between during normal city or highway drive. It seems to occur more frequently after spirited runs (and braking) but I don't have clear evidence of that.
If they were warped or had pad material buildup, wouldn't they always trigger shake?
I've lifted both ends and pulled/pushed on suspension parts and cannot detect anything loose. New front tires, rears are about two years old.
Ideas?
Once in a while when I apply the brakes the car shakes. "warped rotors". "build up of brake pad material".
But then the next time I hit the brakes, they're fine. A short while later, it shakes again. This can happen with minutes in between during normal city or highway drive. It seems to occur more frequently after spirited runs (and braking) but I don't have clear evidence of that.
If they were warped or had pad material buildup, wouldn't they always trigger shake?
I've lifted both ends and pulled/pushed on suspension parts and cannot detect anything loose. New front tires, rears are about two years old.
Ideas?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 260
Likes: 87
From: Brighton MI
I doubt if rotors ever "unwarp", however, you mentioned brake pad material build up that can cause vibration similar to warped rotors. Depending on your stopping this could be removed & vibration reduced or eliminated. While not 100%, hard stopping can remove pad material.
Best wishes on your endeavor.
Best wishes on your endeavor.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 608
Likes: 42
From: bradenton Fl
I doubt if rotors ever "unwarp", however, you mentioned brake pad material build up that can cause vibration similar to warped rotors. Depending on your stopping this could be removed & vibration reduced or eliminated. While not 100%, hard stopping can remove pad material.
Best wishes on your endeavor.
Best wishes on your endeavor.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Pad build-up is not warping and sometimes the effects of pad deposits can seem to come and go. Pad deposits may not be as noticeable on relatively cool rotors but if you have just used the brakes hard enough to heat the rotors the pad deposits may have changed in friction sufficiently to make the brake pedal thump and may cause the steering wheel to vibrate. If the pad deposits get hot enough they can damage the surface of the rotor by making it harder where the deposit occurred and the hardened metal will have higher friction than other parts of the rotor thus making the spot hotter. When this happens the rotor needs to be replaced. The hardened spot in the rotor is also more susceptible to corrosion so you may start to a hole developing in the rotor surface.
Bill
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Sep 19, 2024 at 06:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 910
Likes: 430
From: MN
Pad deposits may not be as noticeable on relatively cool rotors but if you have just used the brakes hard enough to heat the rotors the pad deposits may have changed in friction sufficiently to make the brake pedal thump and may cause the steering wheel to vibrate.
BTW it's not a 'thump' so much as a whole-car shaking; it isn't isolated to the steering wheel.
Is it possible to visually inspect for pad deposits?
Drifting
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From: INDIANA
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Le Mans Master
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From: Loveland
If it's something in the suspension you probably can't detect it by hand. I had a car with something loose and making noise in the front. I tried to move things even with a long crowbar, nothing moved, it turned out being a suspension link that was worn out.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
For what it's worth, there is a spot on a nearby road close to a stoplight that would make you think it is rotors... until one experiences it happening even if the brakes are not applied there. It turns out, there's a subtle glitch in the road surface and the only place I've seen that does this. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 121
From: Tempe Az
The rotors can get very hot and glaze in certain areas, then the normal heat cycles can make it appear as warped. Time to replace them.
Also if anyone has ever turned rotors on a brake lathe you can hear the difference when the glazed area comes around, then by the time you get past the glazed area the rotors are now to thin so again just replace them they are consumables and not that expensive.
Also if anyone has ever turned rotors on a brake lathe you can hear the difference when the glazed area comes around, then by the time you get past the glazed area the rotors are now to thin so again just replace them they are consumables and not that expensive.
Last edited by Lemans Blue; Oct 9, 2024 at 06:08 PM.