Brembo brake problem

[Croc_Tease!]

I have the 305mm Brembo kit on my car and I've been having problems with rotor "warping" or whatever you want to call it.

I bought the kit almost new, after installation I bled my system and bedded the pads. After a month or two of driving the car started to develop hard steeering wheel shake while braking which got progressively worse over time.

So I took my car to a mechanic that my dad uses for his business, where they machined my rotor. The problem went away.

Month later, the problem is back and it is worse.

When I brake between 30-60 mph the steering wheel shakes violently. It sorta feels like it's from the passenger side, but hard to tell.

I have the car at a brake/suspension specialist right now, but he seems pretty useless other than telling me I need new pads in the rear and that he cant machine my front rotors because they are slotted. He thinks I have a defective rotor. I'm not convinced.

Has anyone experienced this?

[brads03zx3]

You need new rotors. Once the rotor has been warped enough to shake the steering wheel, it heat treats itself unevenly. Many times, turning down that same rotor will only fix the problem temporarily. I know, as this very thing happened to my ex's car.

Oh, and slotted rotors can be machined, but not turned. They have to be milled. I'd just invest in new rotors.

[Croc_Tease!]

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

You need new rotors. Once the rotor has been warped enough to shake the steering wheel, it heat treats itself unevenly. Many times, turning down that same rotor will only fix the problem temporarily. I know, as this very thing happened to my ex's car.

Oh, and slotted rotors can be machined, but not turned. They have to be milled. I'd just invest in new rotors.

or ground. I am getting new pads and rotors .... $500 later ...

[brads03zx3]

My new pads and rotors are $200

[Todd TCE]

Your issues are a combo of pad selection and driving style. The rotors really are not to blame.

You're most likely a rather aggressive driver of sorts who probably enjoys exploiting the benefits if this system. Problem is, your pads are not up to the abuse levels you're asking of them. They overheat, break down and smear on the rotor.

From a driving standpoint; get your foot off the pedal after hard use. Nothing wrong with coming down the ramp at 80+ to the light. Just remember all that heat is soaking the rotor in the last couple hundred feet. After you stop take your foot off the pedal whenever possible and learn to creep the car a bit. For the very same reason hard run track cars get pushed a bit here and there after they park in a paddock- to prevent the hot spotting.

Pads that will take your level of use will help with the point at which they begin to break down. Pick something stable in the upper temp range. But accept more dust and wear as part of the package. Generally, low noise, low dust (uninspiring) pads won't hold up well to higher temps.

Make a couple small changes now and your new rotors will last many, many miles without issue.

[brads03zx3]

Very good advice!!! I sometimes forget that not everybody makes that style of driving a habit.