Warping Brake Rotors

[Gary Schall]

I've got a 2001 2X4 SportTrac with 100000+ miles on it. I'm about to have my 4th set of front brake rotors put on. It seems that they warp enough every 25-3000 miles that they can't be turned true. Is anyone else out there seeing this problem? I've had several garages/dealers go over the front brake system and everyone tells me that everything is fine and replacing the rotors this often is normal.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

My OEM rotors needed to be replaced at 28k miles, first turn at 14k miles.

 

[Tony Tassillo]

alot of it if where you live and how you drive. if you drive agressively with hard stops and starts you will warp rotors. if your splashing through puddels at 70 miles and hour the rotors will warp if you wash your vehicle after a long drive and spray water directly on the rotors they will warp it really depoends on alot of stuff. one thing you might try is the first time you notcie the shaking in the steering wheel you might want to have them spun as the longer they wear the more apt the are as not to be able to be spun.

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Two words, SLOW DOWN!!!! Just kidding. I don't really think that should be considered "normal". Sometimes you could get 100K out of a set of rotors but even that is pushing it. My OEM rotors were pulsating at 35K and I replaced them with drilled/slotted rotors and ceramic pads. I'm at 55k and not even a wobble. Maybe try going with a different rotor. Just a suggestion.

 

[EddieS'04]

The rotors on my wifes Escape were worn beyond turning at 37k...the oem pads did it and there was still 5k to 6k life left in the pads..

I have heard from others with various ford products, having the same problem..I think some of the oem rotors are too soft....

 

[Alan Peters]

Most of the time this is cause by water, be it car washed, rain, hose water, etc that causes warping. I'm still on the original rotors but my previous 99 Explorer had 175000 miles on the original rotors. i never sprayed water on them or drove aggresive.....

 

[Chris Cramer]

I was told once that rotors need to be slowly heated then cooled after installation. I was told to once you get the car onto the road, pull out but do not go above 20 mph. slowly apply the brakes till stopped. do this a few times, and then park the car till rotors are cooled.



I don't know if it "really" works, but I do know that when I'd change them on my old Thunderbird they seemed to last longer.

 

[EJ Bock]

Over tighting the lug nuts will cause rotor warping.

Never use impact gun to tighten lug nuts (unless you are using a torque stick that is of the right torque value for the application).

 

[Richard L]

Water does not warp the rotors, Excessive heat and overtightening the lugnuts will. Also, a lot of shuttering can be caused by uneven coating of pad material deposited on the rotors which is do to overheating the brakes.



Most people who have switched to carbon or ceramic pads have not had as much problem with warped rotors as those who continued to use Ford OEM pads.



...Rich