Warped Disc Brake Rotors

[BBDartCA]

Who here has an issue with warped rotors on late model cars and light trucks? Seems to be real common nowadays, specially with light trucks / SUVs. Did not seem to be a problem years ago. My theory is that modern advanced design tools have been allowed the engineer to pull out as much material of the part as possible for cost and weight reduction, but the heat sink capability of the part has been compromised.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

It seems to me its always been a problem - on STD pass car. I just had mine replaced on my toyota for a terrible warp a week AFTER the dealer mounted fresh front tires - all of which smells to me like improper lug torqueing given I went 32,000 miles w/o any warp with periodic hard brake usage.

 

[beast3300]

I have brake warp cars come in every day. It is still a common occurance. In 15 years I have never created a warped rotor on my own or customer vehicles from installing wheels. The torque setting I use for most everything is the German spec. Good-en-tight.

Obviously there are always exceptions such as critical engine components like cylinder heads. Something like a stab link, or strut bolt get tightened with a air tool.

 

[willix]

Sounds like low mass rotors. They will potato chip on you if not treated right. Imporper wheel torque is entirely the possible cause.

 

[crazyoildude]

On my 2004 Mercury grand Marquis they were warped when i picked it up brand new (had to be cut) The car had 29 miles maybe someone test drove it and drove it like he stole it or maybe it was just a defect...What do you think?

 

[santov]

My old dakota had front discs and rear drums. I think the fronts did 90% of the stopping because those things warped all the time.

But all the other cars I've owned were equiped with discs and no warping except toward the end of the pad life. I generaly don't brake hard tho...

 

[Steve S]

Todays cars have all the quality CAD designed out of them.

 

[grampi]

I'm surprised no one has posted a message stating rotors don't warp, they only accumulate deposits on the surface that makes them act as though they've warped. I've had people in here tell me that's what happened to mine even after I had them measured by a mechanic and verified the warpage. ROTORS ABSOLUTELY DO WARP!

 

[PandaBear]

Personally I think rotors casting quality can be a problem that mimic warping. Dad's Taurus would have a rotor that "Warp" and disappear after turning. Then later it would come back after 30k miles when the rotor wears unevenly.