Warped brake rotors on '96 GMC 1500 2wd?

[watchdawg]

I have a '96 GMC with ~62K on it. Under moderate to hard braking I get a shudder in the front end that gets progressively worse as the brakes heat up, and

on one occasion the brakes actually smelled hot.

 

A local shop claims that the rotors are warped and need turned or replaced, but

the pads were just replaced at around 50K. I had to have a caliper replaced because it was sticking

 

I made the mistake of taking the truck to a shop instead of doing it myself initially, and now I want to correct the problem. Should I actually have the rotors turned or replaced, or should I try a different set of brake pads first?

 

Any suggestions?

[Bish]

Likely warped rotors. You could try to get them turned but in my experience they will warp quickly again. Once you turn them, they have even less mass to dissipate heat and will warp again. I recommend new rotors. If the pads are in great shape, keep them, but I would replace both.

[mcreyaufmiller]

I have the same problem with my 98. My solution was to call www.praisedynobrake.com and order a set of theirs. Problem Solved.

[Friz]

My shop told me that they don't like to turn the new rotors. They're cheap, stamped steel instead of cast. he said he gets quite a few "comebacks" after turning rotors. He recommends to just replace them when you do brakes.

[watchdawg]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I think I'll go ahead and upgrade the brakes while I'm at it. I just need to find a good source for calipers and perhaps braided steel brake lines. Even new this truck didn't have the best brakes, and I live in a fairly hilly are and I don't want to take any more chances.