Is it normal for brake rotors to rust in the rain?

[JTsyo]

When it rains, I notice rust on all 4 rotors. After some braking, most of it comes off. Is this normal? I do some random braking before getting on the roads to clean some of it off since I'm sure it's not doing anything for by braking distance.

 

[OdiN]

Yeah rotors will rust. If you take off the wheel I'm sure you'll find more.

Basically it's exposed bare metal - no protection from rusting.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Go to a new car lot and walk around looking at the rotors on the new cars. If they haven't been test driven in a day or so, every rotor you see will have rust on it. If they sit long enough, you can feel vibration from the rust for a few miles until it gets cleaned off.

 

[exdeath]

It's not going to hurt your braking as it will wear off within the first block or so. The hubs pretty much stay nasty looking though, really bad if you have nice open wheels. Two piece rotors with aluminum hubs or zinc plated rotors are your best bet for keeping non contact areas rust free.

 

[mooseracing]

It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

I agree. My Intrepid rotors rust but not nearly as fast as the front replacements that I installed (cheap, of course). The centers (non contact) even rusted on the Advance Auto replacements where as the originals never rusted in the center.

 

[AMCRambler]

Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

so wait, why does it stick so strong?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

that makes no sense. brembos, rotors on exotics will do this same thing.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

I'm surprised you didn't break the wheel stud - the last time I got tires, they screwed up the lug nut (overtightened, I guess) and I couldn't get it back off later. I ended up breaking the stud and made the shop fix it.

 

[alkemyst]

there are bolt holes (I think like a M8 or M10) in most rotors now so you don`t have to beat them with a mallet.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

That is pretty common. Best thing to do is to loosen the lugnuts partially, then lower the car back down. That should pop the wheel off.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

Had that problem on my mazda MPV and almost gave up trying to do it, this in my garage with various tools. Damn things.

there are bolt holes (I think like a M8 or M10) in most rotors now so you don`t have to beat them with a mallet.

But they're probably damn well rusted in anyway, and where's the fun in that ?

That is pretty common. Best thing to do is to loosen the lugnuts partially, then lower the car back down. That should pop the wheel off.

That's what I ended up doing but it wouldn't come off so I actually went hard on the brakes, gave it throttle, then jerked the brakes off and on again real quick. It finally broke it and the wheel almost fell off with the van onto the garage floor, but it worked Probably loosening the lugs and not undoing them is the ticket, eh?!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

Had that problem on my mazda MPV and almost gave up trying to do it, this in my garage with various tools. Damn things.

there are bolt holes (I think like a M8 or M10) in most rotors now so you don`t have to beat them with a mallet.

But they're probably damn well rusted in anyway, and where's the fun in that ?

That is pretty common. Best thing to do is to loosen the lugnuts partially, then lower the car back down. That should pop the wheel off.

That's what I ended up doing but it wouldn't come off so I actually went hard on the brakes, gave it throttle, then jerked the brakes off and on again real quick. It finally broke it and the wheel almost fell off with the van onto the garage floor, but it worked Probably loosening the lugs and not undoing them is the ticket, eh?!

Live and learn

 

[RGUN]

Ive got Brembo brakes on my car, I take it for a drive, give it a wash and within minutes you can see rust starting to develop....

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: mooseracing
It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

If done wrong, it can be. Toyota used some really crappy recycled steel in their frames of their pickup trucks which caused them to rust really fast and really bad. Truck could look fine body-wise, but the frame....
http://annzoid.com/images/metal/frame2.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/alb...r/Photo_111107_001.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7153/toyota1fb0.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/alb...unded_Eagle/break3.jpg

So yes, recycled steel can be and has been an issue before if it isn't done properly.

To the OP, yes, brake rotors do tend to get a slight surface rust when sitting in the rain. It is normal.

 

[mooseracing]

They get swept clean after the first few stops though.

They should be cleaned as soon as you move your car. Pads constantly ride on the rotor, if it takes a few stops, that is alot of rust.

that makes no sense. brembos, rotors on exotics will do this same thing.

What is your explanation then? I can get a couple weeks out of my vehicle before rust even starts.

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

It is proven that it has more inheritant impurities and it can be weaker.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

that makes no sense. brembos, rotors on exotics will do this same thing.

What is your explanation then? I can get a couple weeks out of my vehicle before rust even starts.

without an a/b test...it means nothing other than you may have different driving habits or climate.

here beachside...rotors across almost all makes will show surface rust quickly.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Exotics may use iron discs rather than mild stainless as the friction coefficient is higher, the downside is they rust quickly.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

It is proven that it has more inheritant impurities and it can be weaker.

All steel includes a percentage of recycled steel. You can't make steel without steel.

The differences come down to the quality of the process, not the percentage that is recycled.

C'mon, iron is the most stable element in the universe FFS.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

It is proven that it has more inheritant impurities and it can be weaker.

C'mon, iron is the most stable element in the universe FFS.

What do you mean?

Environmental conditions do affect the rate of reaction for oxidation.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Yep. Rotors get surface rust. Mine get it in a matter of hours just sitting in the rain. They get swept clean after the first few stops though. The rotor hubs on my Ford do this cool thing where they cold weld themselves to the alloy wheels. I love that. If I haven't had the wheel off the car in like 6 months or longer and then go to try and get it off, I gotta use a block of wood and a sledgehammer to bust em loose.
I got a flat once and I could not get the rim off the car. I was kicking it for all I was worth but it wouldn't budge. Fortunately there was a tire place right across the street so I drove over there on the flat and asked them to put the spare on for me. They laughed at me when I told them I couldn't get it off thinking I was a wussy. Then I watched as they put it on the lift and the mechanic tried pounding on it with a rubber hand sledge to no avail. Then he busted out the 8lb'er and the old wood block and proceeded to wail on it like 6 times before it finally popped. They didn't laugh after that.

so wait, why does it stick so strong?

Disimilar metals in the right conditions will actually form a bond, the process is called electrolysis. I had this on a set of aluminum rims and steel lug nuts on my Cherokee. The tires hadn't been off in who knows how long, and the salt water forms a nice environment for the electrolysis, and also for the lugs to corrode to the studs. The tire place couldn't get them off. I took it to my mechanic who went at it with a torch, a sledge, a wrench on a 10 foot piece of pipe, an impact hammer, and a set of drill bits (I think he was on bit number 5 by the time he stopped, they kept breaking). Apparently Cherokee drive train components are made of gundanium.

To get the lug nuts off they had to open up the differential and slide the whole axle shaft out of axle tube, and then cut off the back of the studs with a grinder. They then took a metal spike and a sledge hammer and popped each stud through.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: mooseracing
It's called crappy recycled import metal. Not held to U.S forging standards because it is too expensive.

I can let my car sit for a week with the stock rotors and no rust. My truck it took over a month on the stock rotors to develop rust and this was sitting outside everyday.

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

If done wrong, it can be. Toyota used some really crappy recycled steel in their frames of their pickup trucks which caused them to rust really fast and really bad. Truck could look fine body-wise, but the frame....
http://annzoid.com/images/metal/frame2.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/alb...r/Photo_111107_001.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7153/toyota1fb0.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/alb...unded_Eagle/break3.jpg

So yes, recycled steel can be and has been an issue before if it isn't done properly.

To the OP, yes, brake rotors do tend to get a slight surface rust when sitting in the rain. It is normal.

:Q at pics

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Do you honestly believe recycled steel is worse than steel processed out of ore?? WTF?

It is proven that it has more inheritant impurities and it can be weaker.

All steel includes a percentage of recycled steel. You can't make steel without steel.

The differences come down to the quality of the process, not the percentage that is recycled.

C'mon, iron is the most stable element in the universe FFS.

What do you mean?

Environmental conditions do affect the rate of reaction for oxidation.

I was referring to the ability to recycle steel every bit as good as that processed out of ore.