2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Warped Rotor ??

[rrl989]

All of a sudden I feel a bumping when I use my brakes ? Harder I push the pedal, the more I feel the bumping. Seems to be directly related to tire rotation. When I use my parking brake line only, no bumping. Seemed to suddenly appear overnight. Brake pedal feels good, doesn't float around. Any opinions on this ?



Ron

 

[TowPro]

Check your front tires, look them over real good. Your looking for a bubble in the sidewall, tread that has shifted, flat spot, something will not look right.



the fact you say its related to a tire rotation kind of makes me look at the tires over the rotors.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Ron, I think he means the "shudder" is directly proportional to the wheel speed. Usually a rotor won't warp overnight, but what you describe is how warped rotors act. Since the parking brake works off of the rear, then it should'nt do it with them.



To check you rotor, pull one of the front wheels and spin the rotor. The face of the rotor should stay perfectly flat. Sometime you can't really see it, and a dial indicator will tell you exactly what's going on. But not everybody has one lying around. I'd bet you have a warped rotor though.



Brian

 

[rrl989]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to check it out this weekend. Don't think it's a tire as it only occurs while braking, but I'll check it out. Will check the rotors, I'm hoping it might be a pad problem. I put on new pads about 15K miles ago and they are very grabby, my tires will lock up on gravel with the slightest touch of brake pedal. If I can't see a problem I'm going to change out these NAPA brake pads.



Thanks,



Ron

 

[Pit Bull]

I never have my rotors turned for this reason. Pads are cheaper than rotors. Rotors, often when they are turned, end up too thin and then get hot spots and warp. Sounds like you have bad rotors.

 

[rrl989]

I found that the DS front rotor has a high spot. I can see and feel the extra pad contact at that point with the tire off. Rotors sure have a lot of rusty iron on the fins. Its odd that the high spot is is where those balance weights are seated in the fins. DC said they cut the rotors on the truck for 3 hrs. labor for both fronts. I guess I'll get them cut as a new rotor is $180 each, but the hub / bearing work make replacement at about $500 each side. My truck justed turned 80,000 miles.



Ron

 

[Pit Bull]

You know with my 2000 3500 automatic 4x4 it use to eat brake pads about every 15-20K miles. I think the automatics really put a big strain on the brakes.

 

[rrl989]

Just a "delayed" followup, I had DC cut the rotors on the truck and braking felt like a new truck. Everything was great... ... .



But now 2K later miles the bumping from the front rotor has gradually returned and once again very noticible. I'm bring it in Monday, I'm told by DC that replacing the entire hub assy/bearing is more cost effective than replacing just the rotor. Any comments on this ? Is this a warped rotor ? , does cutting it only temporarily correct the problem ?



Ron

 

[BarryG]

In my experience once a rotor is warped it is toast. I have had a few warped rotors over the years and tried to salvage all of them but it never lasted more than a little while before I ended up replacing them. You can turn it but all that does is make it thinner in the spot that it was warped to begin with and more susceptable to warpage again.

 

[chrleb1]

I had the same problem. When i got my truck it had warped rotorson it and it would shake like crazy when braking. I turned them twice and it would go back to the way it was after the first time driving it. Oncemetal gets warped, it is really hard to get it back to normal. Turning the rotor is only good for getting out the wear lines. In my opinion, you need new rotors. The best ones to get are the ones made in the US. The metal alloy is a little different and can take a little more heat. Also but some money down for good brake pads also. I have bought some from ceramix from napa and they have been working good for me. Jus an idea.

 

[y-knot]

Hope this helps? This is a picture of the Raybestos Supper Stop rotors. They can be purchased at most auto stores of on the net, they list for 199. 00 and I bought them for 110. 00 each. They are a very nice rotor and will perform better then OEM replacements from the dealer. I also went with EGR pads, lines ect, but that is your call. I was just thinking if you were going to spend X number of dollars at the dealer, you might want an optional plan? Good luck with your brakes, and what ever you do, while you are at it do it right.



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[illflem]

No advantage replacing the bearings if they're still good, it will save very little work.

Dealer price on the rotors is way too high. I paid $48/ea for high quality Brembo rotors here- http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/index.jsp 175k on them without a problem. At this price it's never worth turning the rotors.

 

[24vcummins]

I got my rotors from Napa. A little under $100 for the pair.

 

[icarus33]

Brembo's from Tirerack worked for me. Had the violent shakes before, but smooth as glass now.



ic