Warped rotor already?

[jfoust]

Hi everyone... Quick question, I think. Back in January, I bought a '05 GC SXT w/ Stow 'n Go. It's Dodge certified pre-owned, and only had 18K miles on it. We've rolled it up to just over 22K now.

About 2 weeks ago, a squeak developed on the back drivers side brake. I bought new pads for all four corners, figuring I would just knock them all out while I was at it. Well, I haven't gotten around to putting them in just yet, and now I'm getting a vibration under hard braking from the front brakes. Sounds exactly to me like a warped rotor.

I'm pretty easy on the brakes, and I primarily drive the van, so I know they haven't been abused at least since I bought it. Question is with the van being this new, should I resurface the rotors or should I just slap new ones on there? I don't want to be dealing with this again in another 20,000 miles if I can help it!

Thanks for the ideas!
-Jeff

[RickMN]

Lug nut torque is critical to maintaining warp free rotors. If the torque on just one lug nut is off by as little as 10lbs, it can cause a warped rotor. So if someone used an impact wrench on them, that would easily warp them. Also, cheap rotors warp easily. Look for rotors that are B.E.E.P. or D3EA certified. I've found a HUGE difference in the life of a good rotor compared to the cheap ones. Also, make sure the hub is clean.

[jfoust]

Thanks Rick! If it's a lugnut torque issue it's the Dodge dealer that's at fault because I haven't had the tires off since I bought the van! I always do my lugs by hand w/ the torque wrench for a variety of reasons, and that would be one of them.

I'm assuming that with so few miles on the van these are the original rotors. I'm sure there's enough material left to where I could get them turned. Better to do that or just replace them altogether?

[dirtmover]

I wouldn't make any mileage based assumptions on rotor life on these vehicles. I had to replace my front rotors at less than this because they were severely pitted with flakes of rust about the size of a nickel falling off. Of course the pads were shot at this point as well.

[XDGT03]

The rotors should have one turning in them. Please use good quality brake pads. They are worth every penny. As for rotors, I have always used the basic brand rotors from the local auto parts store. When combined with good quality pads they do not warp or wear out any faster than OE rotors. I have never used Brembo or EBC rotors because I have never seen the need for it. I have thought about getting cryo treated ones but again, never seen the need. BTW, I race the Hyundai you see in my sig. Right now I have the cheap rotors from Advance Auto and Hawk HP Plus pads (I would not recommend these for street use).

[bullheadpond]

i had a 2005 carvan i just traded in fo rthe new one. the 2005 that i had had nothing but problems with the front end and i bought it brand new. it had 50,000 miles on it ,all highway miles. ( i bought it in 04)
i went through 3 sets of front rotors.
one set of brakes padfs.
after one years they had to replace a bunch of bushing in the front end because it was clunking on very small bumps
6 months ago the cvc joint broke when pulling it in the driveway.
1 month ago it started making clicking noise when in reverse , the dealer said they had to tighten up an axle nut ,(whichj i have never heard of)
we traded it in about a week ago.
doen'st mean they are all this way maybe i just got a lemon.

[jfoust]

FWIW, I had the rotors turned this weekend and put new pads on all four corners... Everything is nice and smooth now. The stock pads were a heck of a lot more worn than I expected to see them! There wasn't much material left on them at all, which was kind of surprising, but it should be good for a while now. Thanks for the advice, guys!

[Ted928]

Let us know how the rotors hold-up over time. My experience has been that if they warp enough to bother me and I have them turned, they will warp again. Cutting seems to just buy some time before I replace them.