Does somebody out there know how to keep F-body brakes from warping? I thought new rotors would help; no luck. I don't really want to drop 3 grand on a new brake system. Are the bearings the root cause? Any info would be helpful. Thanks!

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1999 Z-28 M6: Gran.MAF, LS1 MoSports intake, K+N filter,Corsa exhaust, PowerSlot rotors, Hoch. strut tower bar, still working

 

It's such a common problem that there is a STB on it.

Things that help:

Torque all the wheel nuts to 100 ft-lbs precisely - the dealer hardly ever does it, but is leads to uneven wear.

Most warping occurs due to heating up the pads and rotors as you slow down, and then having to sit at an intersection with the brakes on. The pads contact one piece of the rotors for a long period of time which causes the rotor to warp over time. By rolling your car slowly forward and minimizing the time that you stand on your brakes (and force to pads to contact the same spot on the rotors for any long periods) minimizes the problem.

No one really ever cures it though. Most people go through a lot of rotors.

 

There is a very simple solution to this problem without having to drop over a grand on a new brake system. The stock GM rotors suck plain and simple. Mine warped 3 times. I got sick and tired of it. When you buy new rotors from GM they just give you the same, low quality part. I got aftermarket rotors from KVR and have not had a single problem with over 20,000 miles on them. They are much more solid and better vented then the stock GM crap. Save yourself some headaches and buy them. http://www.fasttoys.net That is where I got mine. You won't regret it and it is A LOT cheaper then a new system.

-Adam

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2000 Firebird
Y-87 Package
Borla Cat-Back Exhaust
SLP RAM-AIR Hood
KVR Rotors
KVR Carbon Metalic Pads
Pics: http://photos.yahoo.com/slappy3243/

 

Hmmm,maybe it's in the way the car is driven? I have 45k on my '98 with the stock rotors and they haven't warped yet.Is this only a problem with later years?
Kevin

 

I stepped up to Baer Eradispeed rotors. My stockers started warping around 25,000 and I don't beat the the car or the brakes. ES's are possibly the best direct-replacement rotors you can get. I got them on a LS1.com GP for a little over 600. Well worth it to me. That's about the most I'd spend anyway.

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2000 SS Onyx/Ebony M6
SLP lid w/K&N, SLP SFC's, BMR STB, GMMG catback, Baer Eradispeed rotors, Harlan shiftlight, clear corners, tint, Firebat's decals, Mobil1
323RWHP/334RWTQ
Ram clutch coming soon

[This message has been edited by hammerhead (edited July 12, 2002).]

 

I have the same problem, but mine is an odd case. I have 45K on my car and my brakes go through phases. Sometimes my brakes pulse horribly, then other times, my brakes work awesome. I do nothing to the car, but drive it. I don't understand why my brakes do this, but I have been told that maybe my calipers stick sometimes and rub on the rotors to heat them to the point of warping. I question that theory, but I have no better idea to explain my sporadic pulsing brake phenomena.

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Mark Striemer
'00 T/A WS6
M6, Borla, SLP:Y-pipe/Lid/MAF/SFC's/STB, K&N, 4.10's

 

As was already said, the stock rotors suck, plain and simple. Mine warped right around 10,000 miles When I looked into this, a lot of guys recommended Aimco brand rotors from AutoZone (p/n 55034). There are even those who autocross with them. I'll be picking up a set for the front next week.

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2002 "35th Anniversary" Camaro Z28
Member Street Lethal F-Body Association of NEPA www.slfba.com

 

How much are those gems? I think I need some.



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*1985 Camaro IROC-Z28 H.O. 350 A4 3.73 TPI Accel 58mm runners 24# injectors hughes 700R-4 3000 stall BFG DR's and..
*2000 Camaro Z-28 A4 3.23 MTI lid K&N Flomaster !EGR Ram Air Cutout

 

I looked them up on autozone's website.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...KE+ROTOR+FRONT

-Adam

 

I believe the AutoZone rotors run about $40 / each.

Edit: Bought a set for the front this afternoon. $86 total

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2002 "35th Anniversary" Camaro Z28
Member Street Lethal F-Body Association of NEPA www.slfba.com
GO LIONS!!

[This message has been edited by PSU 98 (edited July 14, 2002).]

 

Wow. That's cheap. So these things really don't warp? Are we talking the "extreme rotors" or are the standard ones still better than stock?

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*1985 Camaro IROC-Z28 H.O. 350 A4 3.73 TPI Accel 58mm runners 24# injectors hughes 700R-4 3000 stall BFG DR's and..
*2000 Camaro Z-28 A4 3.23 MTI lid K&N Flomaster !EGR Ram Air Cutout

 

According to the people I've talked with, these rotors haven taken abuse and not warped. I'd be happy to let you all know my opinion after another 10,000 or so miles I picked up the regular Aimco rotors, not the 'extreme', as these were the ones that were recommended to me. I don't autocross and don't have major performance work done, so I figure these should suffice.
Honestly I think anything would be better than the stock GM rotors... can't understand why they're so crappy

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2002 "35th Anniversary" Camaro Z28
Member Street Lethal F-Body Association of NEPA www.slfba.com
GO LIONS!!

 

Hmm. Maybe so after our little 30K warrarnty expires they can rape us for $500 ever 10K miles or so. Bastages.

 

My car's only six months old, this happened within the first 10,000 miles! From what I understand, brake parts and other equipment considered having "normal" wear are not covered by the factory warranty. I didn't even bother to fight it, because I don't want another pair of these junky rotors anyway.

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2002 "35th Anniversary" Camaro Z28
Member Street Lethal F-Body Association of NEPA www.slfba.com
GO LIONS!!

 

You guys are right,

The factory rotors suck plane and simple. Mine got warpped around 5000 miles so I was covered under GM's warrenty if your aligment screws up or your rotors under 7000 miles they have to deal with it. All they had to do was machine shave my rotors but if it happens again I will probally replace them with a performance set.