When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've seen people commenting about this before but this is the worse case I've ever seen. I wonder if there has been a change in the steel used for the rotor? Has this always been a problem with older models, in particular the C7? I kept my C6 outside and don't remember anything as bad as what this picture shows. It's a new addition with only 200 miles on it.
I also wonder if GM could pony up a better quality, rust resistant rotor based on some type of stainless alloy? Anyone know of a reason why stainless couldn't be used for a rotor.
Drive it a few feet and apply the brakes and it will be gone. This seems pretty normal for vehicles I've owned if they are exposed to water and aren't driven for a bit.
Yes it does and it lands all over that pretty mega dollar wheel as you can see in the picture! Believe it or not that brownish (I would say rust colored wheel, but I'm not that crude) wheel used to be black....
Last edited by tdrake2020; Jul 16, 2020 at 11:27 AM.
You want to talk rust? Don't get me started about the ATROCIOUS RV industry.
This is rust on a "PDI" never performed by Selling Dealer or Manufacturer and then left for me to hopefully never find on my PDI! They were not ready for my Navy "Attention to Detail" training. These are not apply the brakes and POOF it's gone. It's not always greener on the other side.
This is only 1 of 70+ warranty items I took them to court over (Yes, I had them Settle) for not honoring warranty! There is no similarities between the RV "industry" and the automotive industry except that they both have wheels. And the RVI uses China Bombs - Go Google it.
Expensive, but eventually you'll be seeing carbon fiber rotors become available for the C8.
Unless there was some kind of breakthrough with carbon composites I kind of doubt you could use a resin carbon fiber composite for a brake rotor. Some makers are using aluminum/cast. People are paying megabucks for ceramic pads and one of the reasons given is less brake dust to clean up. Me thinks GM could use a better rust resistant alloy for their rotors.
You want to talk rust? Don't get me started about the ATROCIOUS RV industry.
This is rust on a "PDI" never performed by Selling Dealer or Manufacturer and then left for me to hopefully never find on my PDI! They were not ready for my Navy "Attention to Detail" training. These are not apply the brakes and POOF it's gone. It's not always greener on the other side.
This is only 1 of 70+ warranty items I took them to court over (Yes, I had them Settle) for not honoring warranty! There is no similarities between the RV "industry" and the automotive industry except that they both have wheels. And the RVI uses China Bombs - Go Google it.
Geezzzzzzz! Wow! I cringe when I look at your pictures. What you have here is a literal "rust bucket"! Mass produced vehicles are great so that your average person can own one, however cost has to be cut somewhere. Glad you came out with a settlement.
As far as the alloy goes: this is cast iron, not steel. A cast Iron with a low viscosity when molten so it takes on the shape of the mold easily and accurately.
Cast Iron has several properties that make it better than steel, it is (ahem) castable at low cost and high yield, easily machined (if dirty) and resistant to vibrations (noise), fairly strong and finally, it can take a lot of heat. And BTW mild steel rusts faster than CI. Cast Iron tends to rust on its surface, with little pitting (unlike mild steel).
The surface rust goes away as soon as the brakes are applied.
Carbon ceramic brakes are hideously expensive
Carbon Carbon brakes are cooked in an autoclave in an ammonia atmosphere for 6 months (MONTHs) to have the carbon permeate the carbon mesh--this is not related to carbon fiber at all. If you think Carbon Ceramic brakes are hideously expensive, these are in another league altogether.
Geezzzzzzz! Wow! I cringe when I look at your pictures. What you have here is a literal "rust bucket"! Mass produced vehicles are great so that your average person can own one, however cost has to be cut somewhere. Glad you came out with a settlement.
Sad thing is that all of them are like this. Even the high end Celebrity coaches. The chassis sit outside in the snow and rain uncovered for almost a year before they are used. These are not a JIT Item. They bulk buy to get costs down to THEM.
The Z51 doesn't have this coating since the brakes are enhanced for track performance. So, they will rust.
The dust on the wheels is likely brake pad dust, not rotor rust residue. If you want less brake dust on a Z51, go with aftermarket low-dust pads (but don't go to the track with them on).
Also, environmental regulations have led to the C8 having low copper compound brake pads. They may dust more than the old higher copper pads.
You could try cryogenic treatment on your rotors. I tried it on an earlier Vette trying to solve some braking issues that I was having and one of the unintended consequences seemed to be less rust.
Rotor rust?
Believe it or not that brownish (I would say rust colored wheel, but I'm not that crude) wheel used to be black.... 
