Rotor coloration

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My 98 S-10 does not stop as well as I thought it used to. Firstly the brake pedal is soft, but Im sure this is due to the fluid (replaced it about 2 years ago).

More interesting to me is the color and condition of my rotors. The fronts are OEM, original, and also have the original pads at about 50% left. There is NO lip at the outside edge of the rotor to indicate wear. The rears have been resurfaced once, and the pads replaced, due to a dragging caliper bolt causing the pads to drag a little.

All four rotors (all OEM and original that came on the truck) are black in color. WHen the rears were resurfaced, they were a dark silver, but theyre black again, as are the fronts. Additionally, there is NO grooving in them, much to the contrary, they are quite smooth. Not slippery, theres definitely friction between my fingers and the rotors, but at the same time they are very smooth.

Is the coloration abnormal? Should they be very silver in color (my other rotors on other cars are silver when not rusty)? The odd thing is, all four are this blackish color. If one or even an axle were dark, Id think something odd, but all of them are dark, so I have to think that its the materials used for the rotors.

Anyway, my stopping power seems reduced, and pedal seems soft, so Im going to change the fluid, but the rotors bother me a bit, and so I might think about replacing them and pads for the sake of replacing them.

Is the dark near black color something to worry about?

Thanks,

JMH

 

[ChrisW]

Perhaps it is glazing over. Glazed rotor surface and/or pads would hinder braking performance.

Replace the rotors in my opinion, they are inexpensive enough. The cheaps ones autzone (duralast or valuecraft) are usually cast quite well; equal if not better castings than a big name like brembo. Many NASA/SCCA honda-challenge cars use autozone rotors with no problems; the pads tend to wear faster than the rotors need replacing.

As for pads, if Hawk makes HPS pads for your S10, try them out; an outstanding pad.

 

[04SpecV]

Just because the pads aren't wore out doesn't mean they're good.
Most newer vehicles have Ceramic pads, made for low dust and noise, but do not stop the best.

If you do decide to replace the pads I'd try the Hawk LTS Truck/SUV pads.

I'd have the old rotors checked maybe turned. I'm not really sure about those cheap rotors, sometimes theyre good and sometimes they arent. I'd rather just buy name brand ones, like Brembo blanks or I've used the Bendix ones before.

 

[mechtech]

The rubber lines will age, and give a softer feel to he brakes, as they expand with pedal pressure.
The Hawk HPS pads are wonderful - like putting bigger brakes on the car.

 

[JHZR2]

Update:

Saw a newer GMC Yukon. It had fairly open wheels, so I tooka lok at its front and rear rotors. They were equivalent in every way with regards to color, smoothness, look, etc. So Im not as worried.

Im going to replace my brake fluid this morning anyway... Its good PM.

Before the pads get much lower, Ill likely replace them anyway. Ill give a try to the hawk pads... if they make them for the 4e wheel disc setup. Not that I havent typically been happy with GM OE pads, which tend to be quite good.

OK, as for rotors, I know that we've been really happy with the regular autozone ones in my GF's integra. I saw some decent ones at advance auto parts,at a good proce for the S-10, but they also had bendix rotors. Much more expensive though... Am I buying more quality with a bendix rotor?

Thanks!

JMH

 

[Gary Allan]

Are the alternatives "composite"??

 

[Hirev]

quote:

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My 98 S-10 does not stop as well as I thought it used to. Firstly the brake pedal is soft, but Im sure this is due to the fluid (replaced it about 2 years ago).

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If you used the correct brake fluid. Its a good bet you have either moisture in the brake fluid. Or they have not had ALL the air bleed out of them correctly.

 

[Greaser]

Late model G.M. brakes have issues with pads and rotors.Change them out and keep your bills as a recall may be coming.

 

[robbobster]

quote:

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Originally posted by 04SpecV:
Just because the pads aren't wore out doesn't mean they're good.

If you do decide to replace the pads I'd try the Hawk LTS Truck/SUV pads.

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Like mectech says, I've also used Hawk HPS to great results. Best pads I've used on my truck. Ever.

I've not heard of the LTS Truck/SUV pads. May have to try a set out... What's the word on them, in your experience?

 

[04SpecV]

quote:

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I've not heard of the LTS Truck/SUV pads. May have to try a set out... What's the word on them, in your experience?

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I just put a pair on the front of my truck. They seem great so far. No noise, really seem to stop quick. But the ones I took off totally sucked..

 

[robbobster]

04SpecV - How's the dust with those LTS pads? The Hawk HPS pads have great stopping power but made a lot of dust.

 

[rpn453]

I don't know about the color, but what's the DOT rating on those pads? If it has an "E" in it, you better step up to some FF pads!

 

[JHZR2]

what is E and FF for?

I thought on most stuff 'E' with a number next to it was a european acceptance rating, and typically ensured higher quality stuff...

JMH

 

[rpn453]

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
what is E and FF for?

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