Warped Rotor

[DeadByDawn]

04 Dodge Intrepid, 55K miles.

Changed my own brake pads on the car last weekend, but they sometimes squeak when braking so I figured they rotors needed turned. Also they looked a bit glazed over. Took them in to get turned at the local auto store and they said that one of the rotors is warped, found it out when they put it on the machine. What causes warped rotors? Is there something in the brake system i should look for to be causing this? This is the front axle btw.

 

[IGBT]

..did they measure the thickness? thin worn out rotors will warp.

 

[Greenman]

Overheating brakes is the only way I know of to warp a rotor.

 

[DeadByDawn]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..did they measure the thickness? thin worn out rotors will warp.

Yes, they said that they had plenty of metal left to be turned.

 

[lokiju]

Spraying water on hot rotors will do it or hitting a puddle or going through a car was while they're heated up.

They're cheap enough at least.

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
04 Dodge Intrepid, 55K miles.

Changed my own brake pads on the car last weekend, but they sometimes squeak when braking so I figured they rotors needed turned. Also they looked a bit glazed over. Took them in to get turned at the local auto store and they said that one of the rotors is warped, found it out when they put it on the machine. What causes warped rotors? Is there something in the brake system i should look for to be causing this? This is the front axle btw.

Runout by improperly torqued wheels, rust behind rotor, loose wheel bearing, plus heat from braking especially if they have been cut and are near the discard dimension. Did the pedal pulse before, if not then the rotor might be improperly chucked in the brake lathe. I have seen rotors with .001" runout have .004"-.006" when put on an off car brake lathe, that is why most dealerships and high end independents use on car brake lathes.

 

[DeadByDawn]

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
04 Dodge Intrepid, 55K miles.

Changed my own brake pads on the car last weekend, but they sometimes squeak when braking so I figured they rotors needed turned. Also they looked a bit glazed over. Took them in to get turned at the local auto store and they said that one of the rotors is warped, found it out when they put it on the machine. What causes warped rotors? Is there something in the brake system i should look for to be causing this? This is the front axle btw.

Runout by improperly torqued wheels, rust behind rotor, loose wheel bearing, plus heat from braking especially if they have been cut and are near the discard dimension. Did the pedal pulse before, if not then the rotor might be improperly chucked in the brake lathe. I have seen rotors with .001" runout have .004"-.006" when put on an off car brake lathe, that is why most dealerships and high end independents use on car brake lathes.

Nope, the brakes were fine no pulse. That's why I was sorta suprised when they said one of them was warped. It wouldn't suprise me if the auto parts guys didn't know what they were doing. They are paid next to nothing.

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
04 Dodge Intrepid, 55K miles.

Changed my own brake pads on the car last weekend, but they sometimes squeak when braking so I figured they rotors needed turned. Also they looked a bit glazed over. Took them in to get turned at the local auto store and they said that one of the rotors is warped, found it out when they put it on the machine. What causes warped rotors? Is there something in the brake system i should look for to be causing this? This is the front axle btw.

Runout by improperly torqued wheels, rust behind rotor, loose wheel bearing, plus heat from braking especially if they have been cut and are near the discard dimension. Did the pedal pulse before, if not then the rotor might be improperly chucked in the brake lathe. I have seen rotors with .001" runout have .004"-.006" when put on an off car brake lathe, that is why most dealerships and high end independents use on car brake lathes.

Nope, the brakes were fine no pulse. That's why I was sorta suprised when they said one of them was warped. It wouldn't suprise me if the auto parts guys didn't know what they were doing. They are paid next to nothing.

Hopefully they didn't cut excessive runout into the rotor then, I have seen that happen before due to an inexperienced operator and/or a brake lathe that is worn.

The only way to check it is on the car with a dial indicator after the rotor is properly torqued on and the mounting surfaces between the rotor and hub are clean and put back in the same position as it was before it was removed. Otherwise put them on and hope for the best.

As for the squeaking, pad material including (if wear indicators weren't rubbing or worn to the metal) clean and lubricated shims and hardware has more of an effect on squeaking than the rotors, except for the cheaper made in china rotors that aren't always made to original specs