My rotors are warped AGAIN, can they be trued? Will drilled/slotted rotors help?

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I read once that uneven torque on lug nuts could aid in warping rotors. I have no idea if its true, but I read it. Figured it was at least worth mentioning to see if anyone can confirm/deny that claim.
 
The pulsing is only in the front.

Would the LSPV affect my front brakes? :confused: Remember my truck is 100% stock suspension wise.

So this is my plan:

Rebuild front calipers, flush all fluid, change pads(100 series, maybe Hawk or other "performance" pad?), change rotors(stock), use a torque wrench to bolt on rotors and wheels, and pray that this doesn't keep happening.

How does that sound?

Ary
 
Arya,

Brakes are simple. They heat up when used, and recover by cooling down between uses. The trucks as delivered had plenty of rotor surface area to bring the truck to a halt without warping. Multiple times, actually. So we can forget about the heating up phase when they're being used - they can do that.

What's suspect to me is your brakes ability to recover. If the pads properly retract when you let off the brakes, they'll quickly cool and be ready for use again. If the pads are still against the rotors as is typical of a caliper needing a rebuild, then they not only cannot cool properly, but will actually remain heated from the light friction. Since yours work the first time or two, then start chattering it indicates they're getting heated, distorting and staying hot. So, suspect that something is hampering your brakes from recovering/cooling down, and the #1 suspect would be dragging pads. Check for mud in the ventilation fins on the stock rotors, also. That you have 100 series pads on there may not be in the best interest of things, though I know everyone loves this mod. I'm against it.

You should establish that there's nothing loose like wheel bearings, knuckle bolts (!), caliper bolts (!) or worn knuckle bearings. Then suspect the calipers.

As for turning, I had mine turned once after a mild warp a decade ago. But they were done for me by a personal friend who obviously spent the time determining the absolute lightest touch he could use on the machine. Mechanics today simply don't have the time to do that and just use a heavy hand, taking off way too much metal so they don't find that the machine did not go deep enough and missed a low spot after the machine is done. When that happens, they basically have to do it all over again so it pays to simply hammer them. Not their fault - just the way the business works. So, it can be gently done though obviously any material removed increases warpage potential.

DougM
 
Be wary of switching pad types, You shouldn't run a Carbon pad on rotors that have been bedded in with semi-metallic or V/V. Find a pad that you like and stick with it.



Doug, why do you dislike the 100 series pads?
 
Misadjusted LSPV would cause the front brakes to do 100% of the braking as opposed to 70-80% as they should be.

Dragging calipers can certainly cause front brake warping.

Are your little spreader clips installed? Are your pad retaining pins nice and clean?


There is a theory of rotor "warping" that says that pad deposits on the rotors cause high spots that cause puling. The pad deposits are caused by getting the brakes very hot, then sitting with the pads applied. This causes localized hot spots and causes the pads to deposit materials into the metal of the rotor. These hardened spots are often not removed by turning the rotors and resurface quickly.

So brake slower when approaching a light and allow room to let the truck creep forward and don't bother resurfacing rotors. I have very little luck with resurfacing rotors.

you can argue that the 80 rotors are expensive, but you could also argue they are a PIA to take off to get turned only to have to do it again.
 
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I wouldn't think that cross drilled or slotted rotors would aid your situation.

Slotted rotors are used to increase braking force, but as a result, you will go through pads significantly quicker.
Cross drilled rotors are for cooling, so that the brakes will be more reliable under sustained abuse (such as racing).

There is another thing to consider; overtightening your lug nuts, or as mentioned before, uneven torque on the lug nuts, especially when some have been over tightened can lead to warping.
 
My FZJ-80 is very heavy and I do a lot of mountain drive so I replaced the rotors with the slotted/cross drilled DBA and use carbon/ceramic pads.

Brake a lot better and didn´t have any warped rotor problem again.

Funny but many experts told me that slotted/drilled rotors will warp easy when crossing water or the holes will fill with mud which under heat get hard and the holes will loose their purpose of relieve gas generated when the pads wear. In short words they didn´t recommend them for 4 wheeling !!!

Changing the brand there must be a reason why Porshe charges up to $ 8,000 to upgrade the brakes to the ceramic type !!!!!

I guess they never overheat and warp because of the ceramic layer enbedded on the rotor surface.

x2. I switched to Powerstop crossdrilled 50k miles ago and I still have 50% left on the Hawk metallic pads. No grooves, no warps, and no shimmying or fading during hard braking. Braking distances improved.

When people say they have had bad experiences with crossdrilled rotors I wonder what brand they used. Mine with the metallic pads rock. They definately solved my brake issues impressively.

http://www.off-road.com/isuzu/womb_brakes.html

http://www.brakewarehouse.com/pwrslt1.htm
 
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When people say they have had bad experiences with crossdrilled rotors I wonder what brand they used. Mine with the metallic pads rock. They definately solved my brake issues impressively.]

The ones that failed on my 1994 were DBA with ceramic pads. I have the same setup on my 1997 and will be interested in seeing how they do.
 
When people say they have had bad experiences with crossdrilled rotors I wonder what brand they used. Mine with the metallic pads rock. They definately solved my brake issues impressively.]

The ones that warped on my 1994 were DBA with ceramic pads. I have the same setup on my 1997 and will be interested in seeing how they do.
 
Nay,

Have you ever done any water crossings after lots of brake use? I have been ignoring my warped oem's--but I have had some really close calls:eek:

Thanks,

Jason

I haven't - my two great water crossing trails were destroyed in the Hayman fire a few years ago and I haven't been in deep water since.
 
Another opinion.... even at 150 when I rebuilt the front calipers on my 97 I couldn't believe the amount of crud in the calipers, so deffinately spend the 22$, also if you still have the factory brake hoses invest in some new ones or some braded ones from Slee... As for turning the rotors just get new ones... not worth it.. My guess is you have a couple of caliper pistons stuck and the brakes are draging... causing your issue... Good luck....
 
I haven't - my two great water crossing trails were destroyed in the Hayman fire a few years ago and I haven't been in deep water since.

Teller county carwash? At the bottom of Hackett gulch? I used to dirtbike in that area when I lived in Colorado springs. Love that area. I drove out a couple years ago to wheel there and was disapointed I could not go in there due to the fires.
 
Most rotors are warped from the production manufacturing process.......thats right boys....... OEM right out of the box and warped.

I get my brand new rotors turned before I put them on.....try it, and have a look while they turn them to see how much they take off to true them up.

If they have to take lots off ........you did not want to put them on like that anyways.
 
Most rotors are warped from the production manufacturing process.......thats right boys....... OEM right out of the box and warped.

I get my brand new rotors turned before I put them on.....try it, and have a look while they turn them to see how much they take off to true them up.

If they have to take lots off ........you did not want to put them on like that anyways.



I think this has been discussed before, and you are being had:doh:
 
I think this has been discussed before, and you are being had:doh:

Had by who?
Interesting but not related, I think it was a clean and bed issue on that one, if you have grease on a rotor and try to seat new pads you pretty well have to turn it to restore the surface and replace the pad to get back to a starting point.

I only suggested you try it, brake and muffler shops don't turn OEM rotors, why would they?

I learned this 20 yrs ago in my brother-in-law's shop when he was building a hill climb car for a customer, I asked why the heck would you turn brand new rotors?........he proceded to turn all four rotors. One was true with the first pass, two needed more and one of them he sent back with the parts girl.They were not toyota rotors.

When I replaced the rotors on my fj40 I witnessed the same issue they both needed turning to true.

Maybe they have made improvements with 80 rotors but I doubt it.
 
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Had by who?
Interesting but not related,

Maybe they have made improvements with 80 rotors but I doubt it.



How is it not related? He was doing the exact same thing you are suggesting.

Hmm.. I don't suppose they made any advances whatsoever in the years between the end of the 40 and the start of the 80.......

Call me crazy, but I'd say there are a lot of things improved in the 80 over the 40, and one of them is neccesarily the brakes due to the 5200 lbs of steel that they need to stop.
 
So do you guys think I should replace my rotors? The odd part is they don't create any pulsing when cold, only when heated up. If indeed my calipers are sticking, would rebuilding them allow my rotor to cool enough between stops to prevent heat buildup and thus warping?

I don't like to halfass things, but rotors ain't cheap and I'm on a tight budget. I will be going in to inspect and possibly replace the brass spindle bushings and repack the wheel bearings, so I will be in there anyway, but if I don't need to spend the $120 on rotors, then so much the better.

So what I'm suggesting I try is this:

Rebuild calipers
Replace pads(still undecided on what variety; 80, 100, performance, etc)
Inspect/replace brass bushing
Repack/tighten wheel bearings
Repack birfs
Flush brake fluid

Opinions? Do you really think new brakelines would make a difference, and/or that they are due for replacement?

Thanks everyone.

Ary
 

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