Warped Rotors?

[maat]

Having trouble telling whether my rotors are warped or I'm imagining it. I'm used to getting my rotors finished when I get my pads replaced--but my pads are fine and the rotors feel out of round? A friend's Cavalier has the same problem.

If they really are warped, it seems more of a nuisance than a braking hazard. Can I just drive on them until the pads go?

And if they're actually warped, what's the cause? Heat? Can't be worn pads... Are these rotors really that bad?

[Grouch]

Can I just drive on them until the pads go?

Yes

And if they're actually warped, what's the cause?

A few theories floating around. I think it comes down to substandard metal contents in the rotor itself.

Are these rotors really that bad?

Yes. You can go to TireRack and pick up some OE Brembo rotors for not too much and they work great.

[n8tureboy]

I'm having mine replaced today, the garage told me it looks like heat killed em. Or heat then rapid cool down, like hitting a puddle during heavy breaking.... Anyways, certainally possible i do live in labrador where we have snow 8 months of the year. Hot cold.. yep!

n8tureboy

[Final-Reality]

Well, all warped rotors warped because of repeated heated and cooling, and the less material (or the less dense), then the hotter they get, until they over heat, and when they cool they warp...

[BLK03GXS]

The most common way for rotors to warp is geting them really hot.. and then either rapid cooling or retention of heat.. Ie your breaking hard and come to a compleate stop and not let your foot of the pedal... the heat is traped between the pads and the rotor, and that area of rotor cool's at a diff rate than the rest of the rotor...

[maat]

Thanks much guys

[brsexton]

Plus N-body cars such as the Alero, warp them much faster then other cars. If your car still has the stock rotors, thats one of your problems. They use CHEAP composit rotors that can't get rid of the heat like rotors should.