Possible Brake Problem / Rotor....

[GasHog369]

I think i might be having a problem with my rotor / s...

 

Back in early Nov. 08' i had my front rotor's and pads changed on my truck mainly because the factory ones were squeelin , and the brake dust was getting on my nerves! Fast forward to about Jan, i noticed that the brake dust is still terrible if not WORSE than the factory brakes... But performance was better so i did cry to much... Now as of today, i happened to notice my front drivers wheel was extremely dusty and on closer inspection, the rotor looks like it is carved with grooves! When i feel it, i can definatley feel the grooves carved in... Does not feel flat anymore..

 

When looking at my drivers side you can see how bad the dust is from when i ran my finger over the wheel... heres a bunch of pics,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a picture of the passenger side.. it also has grooves to it , but only approx half way and not as bad..

 

And if you notice the brake dust is not nearly as bad

 

 

 

 

SPECS on what i got ...

 

I purchased duralast rotors and duralast gold ceramic pads. I heard great things about these pads , but i dont know if i am impressed with the amount of dust i am getting , but what worries me more is the grooves in the rotors... Do you see this as normal? Am i making a big deal out of nothing?

 

Thanx for any and all help

[L29er]

I must say that is normal especially with ceramic pads, they kick the Sh*t out of rotors much more than standard brake pads, yet do give a better "brake" feel. what also comes into account here is dust and debris from road surfaces, it will embed itself in any brake pad and cause "ridges" in the rotor surface, it is something that is nearly impossible to contain, what can be done it as soon as the "machined finish" has visual "grooves" that are not yet deep, you can pull the pads off and file them smooth again, but as obvious as it is said your shortening the life of the pads, So in short answer this would be considered "normal" taking into account were the truck may be operated day to day...

[Grebbler]

Isn't that dust kinda dark for ceramic? Could that be rotor dust?

 

My research (and a few parts shops) tells me that ceramic may not be a good choice for trucks. Maybe the Duralast pads have a high filler content and that's what is burning off and making the dust. I have little faith in Duralast rotors as I haven't verified where the steel is from.

 

Maybe a carbon metallic pad would be better for the rotors while giving a better brake feel than semi-metallic.

 

Ed

[GasHog369]

Well 60% of my driving is thruways... usually 40 miles a day... maybe a little more . I dont do nearly as much stop and go as i use to when i worked closer to home..

 

Thing that gets me is the driver side is so much worse than the passenger . Im gonna take it into autozone tommrow and see what they say , if they will swap pads / rotors, then i will do it .

[nonotme42]

First tip:

 

I would very strongly advise against using AutoZone Duralast parts. I've had absolutely nothing but problems from them....absolute lowest bidder, maximum profit, chink crap.

 

Bendix, Centric, and Delco are my recommendations, MAYBE some Raybestos parts, but they've been a little sketchy too once in a while.

 

Specific recommendations I've absolutely loved on trucks and cars alike...

 

Bendix CT-3 Ceramic Pads

Bendix TitaniuMetallic Pads

Hawk Ceramic Pads

Satisfied Pro Ceramic Pads

 

Bendix used to have some outstanding USA and Canada rotors, but they've gone china on us.

 

Centric Premium Rotors (High Quality, OE style)

Brembo Std Rotors (High Quality, OE style)

PowerSlot Cryo Rotors (Premium Quality, Slotted, Cryogenically Treated)

 

Absolute number one rule with rotors, look for the BEST warranty. Chances are, they wont warp out on you if they back em up.

 

Try to get any money you can back on those, and get some real products..and if you don't like my recommendations, do some real research on brakes..its really important these days, companies have been trying to absolutely maximize profits.

[GasHog369]

I hear ya there... I did some quick research b4 i bought the duralast pads and i found all good..... until after i bought them, then the bad feedback came out..

 

I originally wanted to go with hawk pads , and or get some slotted or drilled rotors to but i was pressed for time as i was having these put on next day and couldnt wait to get the stuff i wanted in by mail.. I will try and get $ back for these , if not i will just have to hope i get a better set this time around.. I gotta say that the stopping performance impressed me with these duralast gold pads.. Better than my stockers. I just have a feeling like my caliper is sticking / hanging up on drv side which is causing the damage.

 

Thanx for the replys

[mikystyle]

Could be the caliper sticking a little. Might need a new one

[GasHog369]

new caliper? What would cause it to stick , and might be a stupid question but cant it be "unstuck"?

 

I went to autozone today and they said they would swap out for new parts no prob, at all... I asked for a refund and the assistant couldnt authorize it, said i had to speak to store manager.. which will be there tomorrow.. /i dont he will tho, i dont have the boxes at all.

[GasHog369]

So i just got home from auto zone... I spoke w/ store manager , showed him my problem , and he agreed to refund me for the rotors.. I told him i would buy some better performance rotors online , and still use his duralast gold pads... So i ended up buying the pads so i can just return the old ones when i get them off... Now thing is , i am really getting worried the caliper is screwed up and is causing this, so i am thinkinjg of a whole breake kit.. Rotor / caliper / pad..... Any one know of a higher performance kit for a 2006 1500 silverado ... It has pads in front and drums in rear...

 

Also if anyone can recommend some good rotors in case i decide to chance the caliper is good..

 

Any help would be appreciated, thanx

 

 

I found these rotors on jcwhitney... seem decent , and not to pricey $191.99 / set

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Brake-Rotors/GP_2...01068_10101.jcw

[98 Z71 SLT]

BS..there's nothing wrong with your caliper...don't get all paranoid from these comments on this board...

Put on whatever brakes YOU are happy with. And, start cleaning the truck. Those wheels look horrible.

[GasHog369]

well, i have gootten alot of useful info off the board , and there is a possability it is sticking being only the drivers side is real bad... but anyhow yea i need to clean it up. Only reason i havent yet was i wanted to keep it as is to show the manager at autozone how these brakes are "shredding"

[GasHog369]

I think i found a better set of rotors i want to go with , just gottta find em now in stock as tirerack says there special order... Power slot rotors

 

Now the question is do i give the duralast gold ceramic pads another try or order some hawk pads instead?

[C & A s Dad]

You asked and I will share my opinion. Not that all products at Autozone are inferior but their pads are not on the top of anyone's list that I know.

 

I work for CARQUEST and do my best not to sell on this forum but I will tell you what I have directed others to and they are very happy.

 

Your absolute best choice (not including exotic High Perf pads) would be our GCD (Gold Ceramic)line by Akebono. These pads are our Gold Ceramic line and IMO an absolute premium product with low dust, great wear and really low NVH levels. We have been selling them just over a year and have heard nothing but praise from DIYers and even more important, Professional Techs. You can also buy them from anyone who handles Akebono and they are called Pro Act if in an Akebono brand. Our next offering is our BCD (Blue Ceramic) line by Raybestos and also offer low dusting, good wear and are also very quiet. This line is our biggest seller due to it being our Mid priced line. You will not go wrong with them but they are not quite at the level of the GCD. If cost is really not an option, find some of our GCDs by Akebono or someone who handles Akebono brand.

 

A couple of things to remember with friction material. There are no govt regulations saying how much ceramic material has to be in a pad to label it "ceramic". In other words, a pad can have 2% ceramic material and still be called Ceramic. Also remember, anyone can make pads that last almost forever, however, they will be very harsh and will eat rotors for breakfast. They can also be made where they are very quiet and smooth, but they will not last. I could give you a great example of a very quiet and popular pad that typically last 35K to 40K but I would rather not mention the name.

 

There is a fine line in producing friction material and IMO Akebono is one of the best when it comes to this.

[GasHog369]

what do u recommend for rotors?

[C & A s Dad]

I have very little knowledge of the PowerSlot brand but have looked into them for my Yuk XL because I tow a significant size camper.

 

For most people and likely my needs as well, slotted and/or drills rotors will offer little to no benefit.

 

Most rotors today are produced in China. I regret to say this, but most of ours are as well. With that said, there are many levels of quality in rotors coming from China. All the way from rotors being cast in red dirt to the ones being produced in state of the art facilities that would rival manufacturing practices anywhere in the world. We sell a boat load of rotors each day and have no issues at all with them. Remember, the vast majority of the rotors we sell are sold to Professional Techs from independent local shops to very large National Chains.

 

I would tell you that rotors from us, NAPA, O'Reilly etc would serve you well. Just be sure that you are buying their premium brand if they offer more than one quality level.

 

A couple of recommendations no matter what you do. Lube the caliper slides and bolts with a good quality caliper lube and just before you install the calipers on the rotors, clean the rotors really well with alchohol. This will remove any grease or coatings that may be on the surface. I also still recommend a break in procedure for rotors and new pads. Some feel this is not necessary. I suggest you complete about 6 to 8 moderate stops from 30 to 0, leaving a little time in between to cool. You can also accomplish the same thing but making some 60 to 30 stops in the same manner.

 

A lot of info I know, but do it right with quality products and your noise and dust issues will go away and your brakes will serve you well for a long time.