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rotors constantly warping

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Old 03-03-2004, 11:57 PM
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Default rotors constantly warping

HELP! My rotors on my car suck. I had them replaced right when i bought the car because they were obviously warped on the test drive. New ones put on @ 32,000. Those went at about 47,000 so i replaced them with ones from NAPA (we have an account there so they are @ cost). Now i'm at 61,000 and they are warped again! Any suggestion?!? It'* really noticeable at highway speeds when i apply the brakes. The steering wheel shakes uncontrolably and the brake pedal pulses like crazy. It seems to be a problem only with the front rotors, I haven't had a problem with the rear ones, though i have also replaced those as well. I would love to get this problem fixed!
Old 03-04-2004, 12:10 AM
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Ty at www.domesticperformance.com can help out with slotted rotors. Several memebers here have them and are happy with the reliability.
Old 03-04-2004, 08:19 AM
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The next time you have the calipers off to replace the rotors(and possibly the pads) make SURE the piston and the slides in the calipers are moving freely.
Old 03-04-2004, 09:17 AM
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Replace the rear pads and rotors. Kendra'* car was fine after i put the slotted rotors on to fix the same problem. She panic braked the car a few times and the problem came back. I figured it was the front rotors again so i swapped them to my car but no problems. Replaced the back rotors and pads on her car and the problem is gone. The back brakes are going to give you the bumpy (and low pressure in her case) pedal feel more so than the fronts.

The problem comes from the rear rotors being solid. It only takes a few panic brakes to warp them out pretty good even though they are only doing 30 percent of the braking.
Old 03-04-2004, 02:15 PM
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Are you using a torque wrench to properly install your lugnuts? If not, it'* a sure thing you'll warp a set sooner or later.
Old 03-04-2004, 04:50 PM
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When i replaced the rotors the first time I did make sure the calipers where retracting freely. The front ones were fine, the back right was a little bit hard, but no problems with it the next time that I did them. I did read somewhere that you should use a torque wrench to put the wheels back on, and i did do that to try and avoid any possiblity of them warping. I may take the fronts off and have them turned, not sure what to do with the backs, i only replaced them 5k ago? Oh well between that and the motor mount it will be a long weekend! Installed the new lights, gonna test them out tonight.
Old 03-05-2004, 04:12 PM
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I had an even worse experience with the stock rotors. I had to have them 2 times. I am now on my third set, but I purchased some other rotors this last time and they are great.
Stock rotors really do suck. They are only a single disk, not vented, cross-drilled, and not slotted. Check out the following link below as to where I got mine. Great Deal and I really put them through the paces.

http://www.nationalfleetparts.com/sp_performance.asp
Old 03-06-2004, 07:49 PM
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I agree with willwren. If you have alum rims make sure you torque to 100 ft. pounds in the correct torque sequence. If you don't, new rotors will warp in short order. Also, if you are harder than normoal on your stops you should go with race-type slotted rotors or you will soon be in the same boat.
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