Brake rotor issues

[Eckstream]

I just replaced all rotors and pads.... Got the power slot rotors and Hawk ceramic pads. Was told by the shop that front rotors are rather difficult to change since the hubs had to be removed to get the rotors off.

[Jonnie]

I just replaced all rotors and pads.... Got the power slot rotors and Hawk ceramic pads. Was told by the shop that front rotors are rather difficult to change since the hubs had to be removed to get the rotors off.

Not true.

Jonnie

[Chopper]

Just to throw some gas on this. My calipers bear a Mitsubishi Tri-Star...I don't know who made the rotors. Realize I've just 21000 miles on this car... this is Florida (no road salt) and I may drive 4 or 5 different cars almost every day. These brakes are one of the shining points of this vehicle. Hauls all 2 tons down very reassuringly... don't really know if they fade away under hard use "cause mine don't get used hard. Changed to the steel lines but only cause I like a hard pedal, don't think the stopping distance was affected at all ( can really feel where the ABS comes in though) Maybe you are all mistaking Honda grabbiness for good braking. Alot of Jap iron is crap, that may explain the" disentegrating rotor up north" thing. The rotor swap is a snap, don't let anyone tell you different a Chimpanzee with a wrench... Love the stockers even if I do end up changing them out every 300000.

[ISCE]

Hate to dig this thread up, but add another VX to the trashed/rotted out rotors. I've not had any brake problems at all, braking seemed fine. Two days ago while braking felt a slight grinding feeling. By yesterday coming home from work a definitely grinding feel and sound when braking.

When I took a quick look visually they looked completely rusted out. The right rear was the worse with only a very small strip that was more polished. All 4 looked horrible. The shop just called and all 4 rotors are trashed, rusted/rotted beyond repair.

I am right at 30K. This is MD and we don't get a lot of snow, but when it does they do put a lot of salt on the road. My guess is bad steel and the salt maybe? Seems quite a few discussions all around the same 30K with trashed rotors.

[kpaske]

So it seems to me that most of the Veteran members agree that the stock rotors and pads are the best combination available for the VX. I am getting ready to replace all four at just over 100k. Had the fronts turned once, but I've used several different types of pads. In retrospect I think the stock pads lasted the longest so I'm convinced that the conventional wisdom here is correct. I was hoping for the modern look of some painted/slotted rotors, but if they are all garbage I'll just stick with stock. Is there anyone else who has a positive experience with aftermarket rotors?

[Ldub]

I believe Mbeach has had a couple of posts where he's indicated positive experiences with aftermarket rotors...unfortunately, I can't remember which brand.
Personally, I like the OEM pads because they work well & have NO brake dust that I've ever seen.

[Doug]

Obviously there is a range of experience with the OEM rotors. I just replaced mine about two weeks ago and took pictures to post, assuming I was just doing a brake job. I was surprised to see the inside face of both rotors were, for lack of a better term, delaminating. Hopefully these pictures will help some in this thread.

Knowing the VX is over 4K lbs I bought a well machined, OEM spec thickness rotor. They are by Raybestos at $110 each. If you purchase aftermarket rotors check to see that the three smaller holes for the ABS ring are present.

I plan to post all the pictures from the front break replacement, including where to get those three tiny screws that are sure to strip...

[ISCE]

...speaking of ABS ring. The shop just called and said mine were seized onto the rotor and both front rings broke when trying to take them off... How much should these cost? And, how long to put on? I am starting to feel like I am getting ripped off.

He said his thought is that since the vehicle doesn't get driven that much, I am at 30K for a 2001, that the corrosion and moisture wasn't kept off the rotors causing the damage. This is my daily driver, but I only have a 12 mi commute ea way, so we are only talking approx 120 miles/week, but they have been daily. All until recently here when I bought another motorcycle to save gas money. Now, with the brake job due to not driving it anything I saved is gone.

[psychos2]

here are pics of what mune looked like. shawn

[Doug]

I can't image the ABS rings ceasing to the rotor. Almost certainly, they gave them a beating(s). I would humbly insist they replace them at no cost. They were not broken when you came in. They butt against the rotor an are held in w3 bolts at about 24ft-lbs. A few drops of penetrating fluid...

[kpaske]

I can tell you this much - I've got a 1999 with over 105k miles on it. My fronts have been turned once, and both front and rear are about due for replacement due to normal wear (except for the one rear rotor which I've trashed, but we won't get into that!). Even today they don't look anything like those last couple of pictures. There is rusting on the edges, but the surfaces where the pads make contact are reflective and shiny. There was either a BIG difference between manufacturers, or some set of conditions allowed your rotors to deteriorate unusually fast. Did your VX sit for a long period of time? Perhaps at the dealership before it was sold? I know some brand new 2001 models sat well into 2003. Perhaps allowing the rust to build up weakened them and allowed them to break down?

[ISCE]

...yes: I purchased my 2001 brand new in late 2002. I think they said they had it on the lot for almost 2 years. It had under 22 miles when purchased so it literally did sit for all that time. I just never looked at the rotors all that close, but did notice they were rusted up for a while. Just didn't pay much attention to it at the time of purchase.

Got the VX back yesterday and the new rotors look great. I am just hoping for longer lasting this time. Maybe it was the nearly 2 years of sitting that really started the problem.

How about the others who had their trashed early too, did you guys purchase it after sitting for a long time?