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- Warped brake rotors. This is the number-one braking myth. Perhaps it has become so ubiquitous because, at first, it appears to make sense. If you feel steering wheel vibrations or pedal pulsations when braking, then the disc’s surface must be uneven because it is “warped” from excessive temperatures, right?
- Bigger brakes will help you stop quicker. Brake rotors with a larger radius will increase the lever arm of the braking force over the center of the hub and, therefore, the braking torque applied to the wheel.
- Drilled or slotted brake rotors are better. We’ve already seen that fitting bigger rotors does not necessarily make sense for a normal street-driven vehicle.
- Disc brakes stop faster than drum brakes. Fewer and fewer cars nowadays use drum brakes and those that do only use them on the rear wheels, where the braking forces are lower.
- Overview
- Vibrating steering wheel
- Grinding brakes
- Pulsating brakes
- Increased stopping distance
- Blue coloration
- Deep grooves
- Corrosion
- Lip around the outer edge
- Worn-out brake pads
Has your steering wheel been vibrating recently? Or, have your brakes made an annoying screech every time you hit the pedal? If so, it’s definitely a sign to inspect your brake system. All brake rotors wear out naturally, but overworn rotors can cause issues with your wheels and braking system. In this article, we’ll go over all the signs that your brake rotors aren’t working properly (plus, how to determine if you need to replace them). If you notice any signs of a bad rotor, take your car to the nearest shop and have your mechanic replace them immediately.
If your steering wheel or brakes vibrate, it usually means your rotors are warped or grooved.
Blue coloration often indicates prolonged braking, which can lead to overheated rotors.
Corrosion decreases the friction between the rotor and brake pad, reducing your braking power.
Vibrations mean your rotors are warped.
When braking, your brake pads press down on your rotors, creating friction and heat. Over time, this pressure warps your rotors and makes them uneven, causing a shaky steering wheel.
Once your rotors are warped, there’s no way to flatten or repair them.
To prevent overheated rotors, avoid speeding and tailgating, which can reduce brake life by about 20%.
Noisy brakes indicate your rotors aren’t smooth.
When your brake pads wear down, their metal backing plate begins to grind against your rotor. Since metal is grinding against metal, this interaction ruins the smooth surface of your rotors, causing a grinding or screeching noise when you step on your brakes.
Inspect your brake pad to see how much material is remaining. You may have to remove your wheel to see behind the backing plate, but check if there’s at least 4 mm (0.4 cm) of padding left.
Alternatively, grinding brakes can be caused if your brake pads aren’t broken in. To break them in, accelerate to 30-40 MPH before quickly coming to a stop, and then repeat 4-5 times.
Pulsing signals unevenly worn rotors.
If your rotor isn’t perfectly flat, it doesn’t properly align with the surface of your brake pads, causing a wobbly or shuddering sensation. Uneven wear is usually caused by overheated rotors or worn out brake pads.
Alternatively, uneven rotor wear can be attributed to poor quality control by the manufacturer, so be sure to install high-quality parts for your brake system.
It only takes around 0.001 inches (0.003 cm) of thickness variation on the rotor’s surface to cause noticeable vibrations.
Reduced braking power often indicates glazed pads and rotors.
When your brake pads overheat, the outer material hardens and transfers to your rotors. Since the material breaks down, it disrupts the friction between your pads and rotors, resulting in poor brake performance.
Blue spots show up on your rotor from prolonged braking.
The longer you press your brake pedal, the more friction and heat is exposed to your rotor. Over time, this takes a toll on your rotors, especially for drivers who “ride their brakes” to descend hills, curved roads, or mountainous areas.
Grooved rotors develop from repeated contact with the brake pads.
When your rotors are constantly exposed to heat and friction, they develop score marks or grooves, similar to the lines on a vinyl record. Left untreated, these indents can lead to braking and steering failure because they prevent your rotor from laying flat against the brake pads.
Alternatively, visible score marks can form prematurely if there’s a rock stuck between your rotor and rotor shield. If your brakes are acting up, take off your wheel and check the area between your rotor and dust shield. If something’s stuck, you can easily bend the dust shield and let it fall out.
If your rotors are in good condition, they should have a smooth surface with minimal imperfections.
Corrosion occurs when your rotors are exposed to moisture.
Since most rotors are made of steel, they’re particularly susceptible to rust. Rain, snow, sleet, and humid conditions can cause surface rust to form in as little as a week, but built-up rust can completely eat away your rotor and create an uneven surface.
Rust minimizes the stopping ability of your brake pads, which can cause noise and vibrations.
A little surface rust is perfectly normal, but rust builds up quickly if you haven’t engaged your brakes in a while. Be sure to inspect your rotors before driving if you’ve left your car parked for 3-4 weeks.
A lip forms on the edge of your rotor when your brake pads wear into it.
When your rotor is worn and uneven, it cannot lay flat against the brake pad. Since your brake pad is only able to press against the inner portion of your rotor, it creates a noticeable ridge near the outer edge.
Thin brake pads wear down your rotors and lead to braking problems.
Over time, brake pads become thinner with wear, but once their metal backing plate is exposed, it grinds against your rotor and deteriorates it. This can lead to noisy brakes or reduced braking power, so be sure to inspect the thickness of your pads regularly.
To measure your brake pad, remove the wheel of your car and locate the pad between the backing plate and rotor. Place a
from the bottom to the top edge of the brake pad, and repeat this measurement at several points to ensure the pad has even thickness.
Depending on your vehicle, brake pad thickness varies, but most manufacturers don’t recommend driving with pads thinner than 6.35 mm (0.25 in).
Generally, brake pads last 25-60,000 miles, but be sure to measure them if you notice any sounds or vibrations coming from your brakes.
1 day ago · The lifespan of brake rotors can vary significantly based on several factors. On average, rotors can last anywhere between 30,000 to 70,000 miles, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Here are the key factors that influence how long brake rotors last: Driving Habits. Your driving style has a significant impact on the wear and tear of your ...
Brake rotors are squeezed between two brake pads every time you apply the brake pedal, and it’s natural that this metal disc will experience a degree of wear from it. Between the aggressive friction from the brake pads and on-and-off pattern of use, the rotor takes a lot of abuse. When it’s time to replace your brake pads or if you’re ...
When the car is moving, the rotor spins freely within the caliper and between the brake pads. When the driver steps on the brake pedal and applies the brakes, a hydraulic system forces pistons in the calipers to push the brake pads inward against the rotor, essentially squeezing the disc from opposite sides. It is the friction that is created ...
Jul 26, 2021 · A. The only time you’ll need to replace your brake pads and rotors is when the pads are worn and your rotors are warped, though that doesn’t happen often. Rotors are engineered to last about ...
People also ask
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Mar 27, 2020 · A pulsation in the brake pedal. A grinding, screeching or growling noise when you brake. Of course, there are other problems in the braking system that can cause these problems. A brake caliper, which holds the brake pads and presses them against the rotor, can become sticky and wear out one brake pad, even causing damage to the rotor.
