Need advice on new rotors.

Well, I guess I new this day would eventually come! I just hit 18,000 miles on the odometer and, within the last 500 miles or so, I'm getting some pretty noticable shimmy under braking (very noticable, actually) so I'm wondering if anyone out there has come across an upgrade to the original SVX rotors?

Also, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to replace the wheel bearings at the same time since they are so prone to failure.

Any advice where to purchase either upgraded rotors and bearings or stock ones if no upgrades available?

Thanks!

[n00b on demand]

18k and your rotors are gone....phew that sucks. Raceconcepts is the way to go...you'll get a good deal.

[AvPPoW]

bet your rotors are fine, it's probably the calipers sticking

[Ron Mummert]

Also, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to replace the wheel bearings at the same time since they are so prone to failure.


If money's no object, you can replace what you want, but warped rotors (IF that's the problem) won't ruin the bearings. Some folks have lots'a miles on origional ones, while others blow up regularly, especially if they're improperly lubed & installed. I'd say if they're quiet, don't rush things. At your rate of mileage, the originals should be fine 'til 2010.

Ron.

[AvPPoW]

Rotors don't warp.

If they have uneven pad deposits, get them turned. But I'd seriously look into checking the calipers first. Unless you spent that 18,000 miles on the track, the rotors should be fine. I have 160k on mine, and they've only needed to be turned once.

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely have the calipers checked first and look into the pads also.

And, as far as I can tell (in terms of noise, anyway) my wheel bearings are probably OK.

Thanks again.

Jeff

[Earthworm]

I would also check the calipers. The guide pins can and will stick. I've had one stick on mine and wore down a single brake pad almost completely. It also heated up the rotor and even the rim to where it was very hot to touch.

What I'm trying to say is you wouldn't want to replace rotors & pads only to have the stuck caliper do the same thing right away.

Thanks for that important tip, Earthworm! That would suck to replace the rotors and still end up in the same predicament not too far down the road.

I'm taking the car to my mechanic tomorrow (the same guys who's helping me restore my '74 TR 6) and he's going to take a look at it with me.

Thanks again, I'll post our findings here.

[michael]

Originally Posted by AvPPoW

Rotors don't warp.

If they have uneven pad deposits, get them turned. But I'd seriously look into checking the calipers first. Unless you spent that 18,000 miles on the track, the rotors should be fine. I have 160k on mine, and they've only needed to be turned once.

Thanks for the article, it answered a lot of questions for me.

[dmnknightomega6]

This may help..... But its subjective... See if you tend to favor one side when you let go of the gas, like an out of alignment wheel. and when you smell something burnt after hard braking when you get out... it would be a sticking pad.

[michael]

I found that spitting on your rotors after a heavy braking may reveal a sticking caliaper. If one side sizzles a lot or signifigantly more that the other you found it. Don't go poking at it! You may burn your finger.

[lhopp77]

All of my cars, but two have well over 100k miles each and all have original rotors. I do have one with 170K miles plus that now has a slight shimmer, but I will just have the rotors turned. I have bought a set of RaceConcept slotted rotors, but not because the stock rotors were bad. They are for the visual aspects mostly and I still have not put them on. I am sure you have not been racing your low mileage car and doing extreme braking, so the rotors should be in good shape.

Lee

[SSSVX]

Welcome back.

I thought you bought a new one back in '02? Can you take it back to the factory/dealer? Is this covered under 5yrs/60k?

Good luck on the maintenance.

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by n00b on demand

18k and your rotors are gone....phew that sucks. Raceconcepts is the way to go...you'll get a good deal.

Sometimes it's really depended on how your driving styles/skills.....some people can get a really good life on rotors but some not...

Having a nice luxurious performance german suv is may be one of my dreams... so sometimes I hanged up at those forums, and, you won't be surprised to read some of them replaced theirs rotors/brake pads or even tires under 10K or less... partly really due to the weights and the driving habits

[immortal_suby]

Also try to torque the lug nuts evenly before you run out and buy new rotors.
Uneven torque on the lug nuts will feel alot like warped rotors.