What Causes Rotors to Warp?
Brake rotors, also known as brake discs, are circular metal discs attached to the hubs of your wheels. Rotors are an essential part of your vehicle’s brake system, as they are what a vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on to bring your car to a stop. Over time, rotors can become warped as a result of excessive heating and other causes. Warping refers to an uneven rotor surface. There are many reasons why brake rotors become warped. At Chloe’s Auto Repair and Tire, we are a professional auto repair shop with many years of experience in the industry. We understand what causes warped rotors and the possible solutions.
The following are the most common causes of warped rotors:
Excessive Heat
The most common cause of warped rotors is excessive braking at high speeds. When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads clamp down on the rotors to stop the wheels from spinning. If you constantly apply pressure to your brakes at high speeds, the rotors become excessively heated. The excessive heat causes the metal to become soft and wear down in certain spots, making the surface uneven.
Bad Break Pads
Driving too long on worn brake pads can cause warped rotors in two ways. First, excessively worn brake pads will create imperfect contact with the rotors, resulting in uneven heating. Second, bad brake pads can cause deep grooves to develop in the rotors or apply too much pressure to one side of the rotor, causing friction and eventually warping the rotors.
Glaze
Braking at high speeds may cause the brake pads’ friction material to become excessively hot and loosen up. This material rubs off onto the brake rotors, causing the brake rotor surface to become uneven. This results in a soft, mirror-like glaze on the brake rotor surface, thereby decreasing the overall efficiency of the brakes.
Caliper Misalignment
When brake pads are not aligned correctly in the caliper, you’ll see uneven wear on the rotors. Caliper misalignment can lead to overheating and impact brake performance.
Driving On Rough Roads
If you tend to drive on hilly terrain, rough roads, or in stop-and-go traffic, it can take a toll on your brake rotors over time.
Over Torqueing
Overtorquing your wheels refers to excessively tightening lug nuts. This puts additional stress on your rotors, resulting in warping. Overtorquing your wheels can also cause the lug nuts to break and create a safety concern.
Symptoms of Warped Motors
- Squeaking noise when the brakes are applied
- Steering wheel vibration
- Brake pedal pulsation
- Vehicle pulls to one side
- Vehicle vibrates when braking
- Brake rotor surface looks inconsistent
- Braking suddenly becomes inconsistent
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, visit a nearby auto repair service and have your rotors inspected.
Trust Chloe’s Auto Repair and Tire for Reliable Rotor Repair and All of Your Auto Repair Needs
If you’re in need of dependable rotor repair, you can trust the experts at Chloe’s Auto Repair and Tire to restore your brake rotors to good working order. Here at Chloe’s Auto Repair and Tire, we are a trusted auto repair shop that offers a wide range of services, including rotor repair, brake repair, radiator repair, check engine light diagnosis, fuel injection service, tire service, and many other auto repair services.
