2011 and up brake squeak & warped rotors

sagent · May 7, 2013

Had my 2011 crew cab 2500 HD in about 1 year ago for warped rotors & brake squeak. The dealer resurfaced the rotors and shortly thereafter replaced all four sets of pads. Squeak is back and now I get the steering wheel shake like before. Dealer says rotors should again be resurfaced and want to charge for it as I now am out of comprehensive warranty.

Anyone else with a 2011 and up HD deal with this ?

From my experience, resurfacing any rotor made in the last 20 years my get rid of the problem for 6 months

Dealer claims pads & rotors were very dirty causing both problems

I have dealt with this dealer for my last 3 new vehicles and they are totally incompetent

The heaviest work this truck does is plowing snow. The heaviest thing I will tow is a 18 foot lund boat and thats maybe a few times a year. Otherwise this truck is a grocery getter for all intents and purposes. Why a 3/4 ton trucks rotors warp twice within 39,000 miles I cannot understand

Who sells a decent rotor nowadays ? Seems like Napa / Autozone / etc are all built in China

David03hd · May 8, 2013

I had a 2007 Escalade that the rotors were always warping. It seemed like I had to take them off every year a nd just have them resurfaced. The suv was a leased vehicle so I didn't want to do too much to it but I know if it were mine I would have replaced the rotors with a aftermarket rotor. I had seen somewhere that it was a common problem and the only way to get around it was to replace them.

Grumpy Tooch · May 8, 2013

Why did they cut rotors and not replace the pads @ same time? That's just lazy. And you shouldn't have to cut them for while again. Maybe they were out of spec before and they cut them too thin now. If the problem persists they should opt to replace them now, with all new pads(HD ONES).

MY 2006 2500HD goes at least 2yrs before I have to do brakes and I do a lot of towing and plowing

brantjs · May 8, 2013

My truck has 19000 miles and I already had the front rotors cut once. I measured with a dial caliper prior to doing it and if I remember right only one was slightly warped, somewhere in the neighborhood of .0015 I think. I assumed since it was brakes that the dealership wouldn't help me, but I didn't ask. I had them turned at o'reillys for $10 apiece and the problem hasn't come back yet, but I probably haven't driven more than 1000-1500 miles since then.

bigirondog · May 15, 2013

when you have the rotors turned, wash them with soap & water after turning. make sure the rotors are scuffed with a wheel to put a non-directional finish after turning. Use a quality brand ceramic pad. this should help.

topdj · May 21, 2013

Always replace pads when resurfacing rotors or replacing rotors. I never liked resurfacing and I wouldn't do it more then once. The 2011HD has some meaty rotors I'm surprised you were able to get them hot enough to warp.

tanked_darren · May 21, 2013

Soap and water? How about brake cleaner instead.

Never turn rotors you are wasting money they will warp again.

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sagent · May 22, 2013

Soap and water? How about brake cleaner instead.

Never turn rotors you are wasting money they will warp again.

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Thats what I told the service writer, the rotors are warped again because they should have been replaced the first time. I have not had a rotor resurfaced since I was in high school. My town is very hilly but still the truck is empty and without plow 90% of the time.

MikeNH · May 22, 2013

We cut rotors all the time at the dealership without issue. As long as you measure first and there is enough meat left you're good.

bigirondog · May 24, 2013

yes..soap & water.....brake cleaner will not get the fine dust out of the groves from turning.........plus soap & water is cheaper, it works..........

driving habits and type of vehicle will vary from vehicle to vehicle, turning rotors works, just maybe not on every vehicle or for every person.....

GMCDriver1 · May 24, 2013

Thats what I told the service writer, the rotors are warped again because they should have been replaced the first time. I have not had a rotor resurfaced since I was in high school. My town is very hilly but still the truck is empty and without plow 90% of the time.

Use tow/haul mode to help slow the vehicle down using the gears instead of the brakes.

pm26 · May 29, 2013

Turning cheap rotors when they get warped is a nothing but a bandaid. You actually remove metal from already cheaply made rotor, which will now warp even faster.

Then solution to cheap warped rotor is a good quality replacement rotor. Unfortunately, in their insane greed and quest for profits, many of today's manufacturers are using substandard brake rotors and pads to save money.

GlenS · January 14, 2015

Was doing a google search and this popped up. I have a 11 2500hd. I have 26500 miles on it.. 5 sets of brakes at dealer. Dealer says everything tests fine. they have no idea why my truck eats them. i dont do anything different with this truck that my other trucks havent done. Little towing thats bout it. Any thoughts?