Re: Warped rotors... what else?

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>
Date: Monday, March 30, 1998 10:03 PM
Subject: Warped rotors... what else?


<snip>
>Does this make sense.... that they were fine (after turning)... but then
>gradually warped again... even if I didn't do anything aggressive to
>cause it (i.e. just normal street driving)? Does having an open rim
>(5-spoke) design contribute.. i.e. cold rain on a hot rotor? (I know
>that sounds like a stupid question, but the OEM rims are a flat-faced,
>closed design.)
>
>Lastly, anyone have any recommendations for aftermarket rotors that are
>less prone to warpage? I'd like to get something of better quality than
>OEM... if not too pricey. The pads are fairly new... and are OEM. Any
>advice or BTDT would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>--
>                     Jim Griffin
>
Hi Jim;

    The symptoms you are describing are typical of warped rotors. Whenever I
have had rotors turned, I have experienced the same thing; they start out
fine and gradually warp with normal street driving. I have had these
problems with turned rotors on both European and North American cars, but
the European rotors seem a bit more susceptible to warpage after turning.
    Since I started using new rotors on brake jobs, I havn't had warpage
problems. In fact, I am quite pleased with the performance of the Audi front
brakes. On both my '86 5ktq and my '91 200q I get about 125k km out of the
pads and rotors; when the pads are finished the rotors are worn to their
limit and are still running straight. A good job of engineering and
component matching in my opinion!
    The rear rotors - well, that's a different story. Corrosion eats them
annually. Anybody know if stainless rear rotors are available? I hate to
think of the hours involved in weld overlaying a set of these....

Fred Munro
'91 200q  248k km

    Since