Warped Rotors-- I think

[csharrigan]

My 2005 base w/o abs with 9000 miles is showing symptoms of warped rotors, I feel a little pulsation in pedal, but the more annoying symptom is when slowing down from freeway speeds and steering wheel jitter. Is it possible that rotors are warping so prematurely? Something else that is common? Does warranty cover it?-Chris

[viberationz]

I replaced all rotors and brakes in my Vibe GT last summer at 40,000KM. Don't know if this is normal, they weren't excessive wear or anything, but I knew it wouldn't be too far off before I had to replace so I decided to just go ahead and change them while I was thinking of it. Knowing me - I'll forget all about it - slam on the brakes and have nothing, yup good maintenance!

[ColonelPanic]

Yes it is very possible that they are already warped at that mileage... I've had them warp at 6,000 before. Bad rotors do not appear to be particularly common with these cars but anything is possible...It has been my experience that warranty will cover such things to a point but there is a cutoff - a magic mileage number that GM says is "wear and tear" and no longer "manufacturer defect." IIRC, that figure was very low, so the sooner you get it looked at, the better of a chance you stand at actually getting them to fix it if you indeed have a problem.I wish you luck. I'm having brake problems again myself, not fun.

[VibeGriff]

If you had been braking hard and then drove through some water, that would warp the rotors very quickly due to the quick cooling of the rotors and the molecules snapping back together, or so my mechanic told me.

[joatmon]

I say take it in for warranty work. Also read http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8122

[JohnC]

There are two leading causes of warped rotors. Most common is unequal lug nut torque. My manual states that the Vibe steel wheels need 76 ft/lbs torque, this should be done with 3-4 equal passes working up to 76. Aluminum wheels need to be retorqued after several hundred miles of normal driving.The second major cause is not cleaning the mating surfaces of the wheel and rotor/drum. The rust and dirt must be removed to get a good mating.Another cause can be worn caliper pins/sleeves, but this is not very common.

[Atomb]

JohnC is absolutely right on all accounts.I went through great pains this past summer when the dealership unevenly torqued my wheels and warped my rotors.ended up taking the opportunity to upgrade to better rotors (drilled!) and i love them.i didn't know about the required re-torquing on aluminum wheels....that could explain something that's annoying me on my car right now!Thanks!

[rwojci7747]

Hi! I have a 2003 AWD 18,500 miles that I purchased used about two months ago. I have the exact same problem. Only at 50 -60 mph. Otherwise brakes, tires seem perfect. Was it your rotors? Thanks, Ray.

[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by rwojci7747 »Hi! I have a 2003 AWD 18,500 miles that I purchased used about two months ago. I have the exact same problem. Only at 50 -60 mph. Otherwise brakes, tires seem perfect. Was it your rotors? Thanks, Ray.Warped rotors are pretty easy to check for, if you have a dial indicator. Cosco has a cheap but functional set for $17, a good quality one runs about 75. You just set your dial indicator lightly contacting the rotor, zero the the dial then turn the rotor. The measurment you get is called runout, there is a minimum and maximum. Minimum is to reset your pads so they are not continuously dragging on the rotor. Greater than maximum you feel pedal pulsations.Or take it to your trustworthy mechanic and watch him/her perform the measurement.Good Luck

[rwojci7747]

Thanks, I will probably just take it to local mechanic. I'm concerned because it's only at 50 - 60 MPH. Usually warped rotors are felt at any speed, just notice more at high speeds. I also do not see too many postings for bad rotors. Just can't think what else it might be. I've had Toyota's before and never had a braking issue.

[buldir]

I just had to replace my rotors in my '05 after 15,000 miles. Same deal, pulsation in the break pedal when braking down from 50-60 mph or so. The warping occurred after I took it into a local shop to rotate the tires. This may imply that what JohnC said is correct (i.e. unequal lug nut torque). I couldn't convince the local shop that did the tire rotation that it was their fault. So I took it in to the GM dealership and complained that replacing rotors on a car that is one-year old is ridiculous. They said that the rotors were not under warranty (with the mileage I have), but gave me half off the final labor and parts price. Good grief.

[03frostygt]

Thanks for the info. I've switched winter and summer rims for years and never new you had to be that careful.I see some of you are talking about replacing rotors. How do you get them off. An older thread mentioned that they are held on by an axle nut (which is what it looked like to me). Further is it worth it to replace a warped rotor with 55,000 on it or just have it turned?

[buldir]

I didn't have a choice but to replace them. When the GM mechanic tested the rotors after turning them with a hard stop, they warped again. The car had 15,000+ on it.