Brake Rotor Warping, recently replaced

[jetlagged]

Hello, while I have seen other threads in the past about similar issues, few to none of them have an actual conclusion, though I have seen things like caliper replacement thrown around. Mostly just wondering if others have had the issue of the car rapidly warping rotors etc.

I purchased my lx 570 (2020) with 35k miles, no issues on inspection, originally purchased in Texas, I am the 2nd owner. All fluid replaced shortly after purchase including brake fluid. I live near in the southwest where ambient temperatures on concrete can reach 110-120F in the summer, but there is no moisture. I drive down a mountain about 1-6 times a month, but am not jamming on the brakes.

Currently at 52k miles 10 months later. When I purchased I noticed the steering wheel would vibrate when braking from highway speeds. At that time I had the dealers replace the front rotors, which solved the issue for 8-10k miles. The rear rotors were replaced within 5k miles of purchase as well due to being “at tolerance limits”. Around 10k miles after purchase coming down a mountain, noticed the vibration returned. Tried a bedding procedure that didn’t help.

The rear and front rotors were turned around that time. Now about 3-4k miles after that the vibration has returned braking at highway speeds (at moderate pressure). Again, bedding didn’t help.

This time I am equipped and am planning to do a full brake pad and rotor replacement myself, including checking the lugnut torque, cleaning the hubs checking the hubs for flatness, inspecting the calipers, and flushing new brake fluid.

Just wondering how others have dealt with this and what expected rotor lifespan should be.

 

[GrouchyTech]

I can’t wait to hear someone parrot the “rotors almost never warp” bull****.

They do. OFTEN. Sometimes uneven pad deposits cause a similar feel, but almost every single rotor I measure has A LOT of runout. Highlander front rotors are the world’s worst.

The solution? There isn’t a universal one. Replace rotors, don’t machine them. Driving style and geography is a huge factor.

 

[TomEf]

I can’t wait to hear someone parrot the “rotors almost never warp” bull****.

They do. OFTEN. Sometimes uneven pad deposits cause a similar feel, but almost every single rotor I measure has A LOT of runout. Highlander front rotors are the world’s worst.

The solution? There isn’t a universal one. Replace rotors, don’t machine them. Driving style and geography is a huge factor.

Are you measuring runout at the braking surface?

 

[TeCKis300]

Yes, driving style. Not so much that one is heavy on the brakes or stabs them, but more sitting on the brakes at a light with a hot rotor. In my opinion, that's what leads to rotors warping or uneven deposits.

What can help IMO is to inch up a bit at a light so the rotor is not clamped in a single position.

Changing up the pad material can help too.

To some degree, rotors consumables.

 

[jetlagged]

I can’t wait to hear someone parrot the “rotors almost never warp” bull****.

They do. OFTEN. Sometimes uneven pad deposits cause a similar feel, but almost every single rotor I measure has A LOT of runout. Highlander front rotors are the world’s worst.

The solution? There isn’t a universal one. Replace rotors, don’t machine them. Driving style and geography is a huge factor.

Thanks, yeah I don’t think this is uneven pad deposits, a bedding procedure did nothing.

My use is probably heavier than most street use as I live next to a mountain, and coming down is largely highway speed with some intermittent curves. It is possible that is what did it.

My deeper worry is just making sure there isn’t something wrong with the caliper / hub, but not 100% sure how I plan on doing that other than making sure the slide pins aren’t sticking.

Not sure if I should expect to just keep replacing rotors at this rate indefinitely, or if it happens again in under 10k miles if I should try replacing the calipers, etc. This time I’m not messing around, will try a full oem pad and rotor replacement at once.

 

[jetlagged]

Yes, driving style. Not so much that one is heavy on the brakes or stabs them, but more sitting on the brakes at a light with a hot rotor. In my opinion, that's what leads to rotors warping or uneven deposits.

What can help IMO is to inch up a bit at a light so the rotor is not clamped in a single position.

Changing up the pad material can help too.

To some degree, rotors consumables.

Yeah that is possible, I don’t abuse them but due to coming down a mountain periodically and high ambient temperatures through 1/3 of the year it is definitely a possible the pad is getting clamped on hot rotors etc at stop lights. It is unclear to me if it is better to brake for a long distance more lightly or a shorter distance slightly more aggressively. I generally trend towards the former, but due to the nature of traffic in my city sometimes it is necessary to brake a bit harder.

lol, I’m mildly annoyed I have to think this much about braking… luckily moving out of this geography in the near future.