Brake Rotors (FAQ)

From Zwiki

1 Are all brake rotors the same?
2 Should I turn my rotors when changing my pads?
3 I’m feeling a vibration or shaking in my steering wheel on braking.
4 What kind of performance should I expect with my cross-drilled rotors?
5 Are special pads required when using cross-drilled or slotted rotors?
6 I have a problem with rotor warpage, will a cross-drilled rotor solve it?
7 I’ve heard that cross-drilled rotors are prone to cracking.
8 Which is better: cross-drilled or slotted rotors?
9 Can my cross-drilled or slotted rotors be turned?

Are all brake rotors the same?

Premium rotors deliver less noise, longer life and consistent safe braking!

In independent testing by a major name in brakes using identical disc brake pads and both a premium rotor and an economy rotor design, the data consistently proved that the economy rotor takes the brake system below manufacturer specifications during critical testing. The research showed that using their premium rotors reduced noise by 50%, extended pad life by 25% and allowed the vehicle to stop sooner! The economy-tested vehicles had 20% less stopping ability than the premium-tested vehicles. A 20% decrease in stopping power can convert to over 20 feet in real life. Think about how many times you didn’t have that 20 feet!

Many factors account for this disparity in performance. Most notably, premium rotors with properly designed vane configurations not only increase air circulation and dissipate heat more quickly, but dampen noise-producing vibration as well.

As rotors have gotten smaller and lighter, vane configurations have increased and changed to compensate. Today there are over 70 different rotor vane configurations. Most economy rotors have only one configuration with 15% – 20% less cooling vanes than their OE equivalent.

The bottom line is less heat and vibration equate to less noise and pad wear, while increasing total brake effectiveness.

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Should I turn my rotors when changing my pads?

YES! We strongly recommend you replace or lightly turn and resurface your rotors before installing any new brake pads. This is especially true for high-performance pads.

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I’m feeling a vibration or shaking in my steering wheel on braking.

What you are describing are “warped rotors.” Today’s rotors are made to be lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Assuming nothing else is wrong, resurfacing, or “turning down,” your rotors is only a temporary fix.

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What kind of performance should I expect with my cross-drilled rotors?

Typically 40% better cooling and 20% better stopping with significantly better wet-weather stopping.

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Are special pads required when using cross-drilled or slotted rotors?

No, any pad can be used. But if you don’t use a high-performance quality pad, you’re defeating the purpose of purchasing cross-drilled or slotted rotors.

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I have a problem with rotor warpage, will a cross-drilled rotor solve it?

While cross-drilling will reduce rotor temperature thereby reducing the possibility of warpage, there are many reasons for warped rotors. Many floating calipers need to have their guide pins regreased each time the pads and/or rotors are replaced. Failing to do this does not allow the caliper to float properly causing it to constantly ride on one side of the rotor causing warpage and increased pad wear. Other causes of warpage include poor quality rotors, improper break-in procedures, worn wheel bearings, caliper pistons sticking, excessively worn brake pads and a rotor that has been turned beyond manufacturer specifications.

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I’ve heard that cross-drilled rotors are prone to cracking.

Some people prefer slotted rotors because of problems that came about when cross-drilled rotors first came to market. At that time, quite frequently, the holes were drilled too large, penetrating the cooling vanes and were not radiused or chamfered. The end result was that the rotor lost its structural integrity and tended to crack, so slotted rotors were developed. They do help dissipate the hot gasses, but not to the same degree as cross-drilled, usually lowering operating temperatures about 100 degrees. We always recommend cross-drilled unless you are particularly concerned with structural integrity. In some cases, only slotted rotors are available.

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Which is better: cross-drilled or slotted rotors?

We recommend cross-drilled rotors for most street applications due to greater heat dissipation (up to 40% larger cooling capacity) resulting in less brake fade, more responsive wet weather performance and enhanced initial bite. Most exotic sports car manufacturers (Porsche, Ferrari, etc.) equip their cars with cross-drilled rotors as standard equipment.

Slotted rotors are the minimum we recommend; they are far better than standard OE rotors. Gas-slotted, while helping cool the rotor slightly, mainly help by letting the hot gases produced in braking escape. This helps to keep the pad in better contact with the rotor and also allows water to escape in wet-weather conditions.

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Can my cross-drilled or slotted rotors be turned?

Yes, any regular brake lathe can turn them down to the “turn to” specifications of the rotor. Just make sure that the shop you have turn them makes very light cuts rather than heavy cuts. This prevents the cutting bit from being damaged by the slot or hole.

Brakes