new rotors= uneven wear pattern

jbrinkley · 01-01-2005, 12:46 PM

I was checking out my install making sure everything was alright and I found this uneven pattern on driver side. I've driven about 200 miles since install of new pads and rotors.
I re-packed bearings on both sides today, everything looked good. checked torque on calipers and strut top. Do I just need to drive it some more or is there a simple answer I don't know?
the pad on the outboard side had some rust build up, I cleaned it off and switched it with the inboard. The hub spins a little more freely, but I don't know enough to answer the why question. Thanks for reading.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Looks in the picture that the right half of the rotor is clean, and the left is rusted. If this isn't a trick of the light, then your rotor is probably warped. You said they are new, so this could be due to uneven torques on the bolts.

If that's just a light trick and you're concerend with the streaks of rust around the rotor, that's normal wear. It'll go away as the pads wear in.

Craig 930 RS · 01-01-2005, 01:50 PM

What does it FEEL like, brake pedal-wise??

jbrinkley · 01-01-2005, 01:59 PM

no light tricks thats how it looks, I"ve double and today also makes a triple check on the hub to disk torque.
Maybe I didn't break them in right. I think I'm going to put the wheel back on and get out early in the morning. anybody else?

Craig 930 RS · 01-01-2005, 02:04 PM

The 1/2 1/2 pattern -- looks all the world like a torque problem. Also check the disc for flatness -

jbrinkley · 01-01-2005, 02:31 PM

pedal feel is good, feels exactly the same as before with old rotors.
Drives straight and brakes straight. I have a slight pull to the right but thats an alignment/height issue.
I thougt a torque issue also, but i've checked every bolt and nut. I guess the easiest thing would be to take it somewhere and check run out.

zzwhm · 01-01-2005, 04:07 PM

Are you sure your driver side caliper is working properly? A pull to the right can be a sign of the driver side caliper not fully engaging the rotor. A sticky caliper piston can cause this. If he passnger side rotor looks normal and you're sure you've got everything torqued properly then I'd consider rebuilding the front calipers next.

jbrinkley · 03:08 AM

i kick my sself for not doing that before, but, next time.
just went and did another break in cycle till they got smelly, smokey and mushy. rotor looks really clean, I'm going to check them out in the morning and see what happens
thanks all
edit, for any future searches, I rebuilt the calipers today and also put in another set of pads, one piston was sticky, also I was hearing it drag, thought it was the tranny, but no, it was the passenger caliper. Once calipers were new with new pads, all is right with my front end.

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

Make sure the caliper pistone are ligned up properly. If one is turned it will lead to strangely worn pads and rotors.

John