Failed brake rotors - Need Pac Brake

[jimnance]

Just replaced my third set of front pads on my '99. I had 75K on the truck. I was hoping to get one more cycle before replacing the rotors, but that was not the case.



Both rotors had cracks up to 1" long in the rotors. The brake shop said they are seeing this a lot with trucks that tow heavy rigs. The high heat stresses the metal in the rotor setting up cracks over time.



I'm going to install a Pac Brake to prevent this problem in my '03. Although rotors are cheaper than a Pac Brake, I think it is worth it from a safety standpoint.

 

[csevers]

Exhaust brakes are nice I had 62k when I put my pacbrake on and now have 90k and still on original brakes all the way around. I adjust rear brakes every oil change and I pull trailers and wagons with out brakes but I also drive conseretive when doing so. I have over heated front brakes twice pulling trailers w/o brakes to the point of smoke coming out of hand holes in rims but the rotors didn't worp, I was sure they would but didn't. I must have gotten lucky.





Craig

 

[DPKetchum]

Saw lots of rotors with heat cracks. Dosen't always mean replacement. First tyrn them and most rotors cracks will disappear then mic the thickness. Lots of the cracks are on surface only. Saw lots of rotors replaced by some shops because of heat cracks. But lots of them a lite cut or two and there gone and rotors mic out with lots of meat left.