I went to ECR yesterday, had a blast
but last session of the day I had a lot of vibration in the steering wheel under hard braking (vibration has been getting worst thru the day)

I think it's time to replace the OEM rotors, car has 18k miles and about 8 track days.

any recommendations?
any warnings?

jerrycecco@gmail.com

 

Jerry - I've been running the OEM rotors for two seasons now and they are just now approaching replacement.

First thing to check for is pad build-up. Take the car out and bed in the pads and see if the vibration goes away. If it does, then it's simply pad build-up. If it doesn't.. then you may have actually warped them.

Of course, if there are cracks in the rotors which you can feel with your finger nail, then it's time to go regardless of build-up.

I picked up my OEM rotors from www.rockauto.com

Note: I've been carrying a new set of OEM rotors around with me for the last 5 events... just in case

 

Here's a picture of what my front rotors look like both sides, all around:

 

Looks like pad transfer to me, which will shudder like crazy as it gets worse, even the steering wheel will shudder--yes, I've got experience.

Carbotech pads by chance??? Thats what I've been running. Sometimes the rotors stay clean, sometimes they look like yours. I buy the Carbotechs from the company, and have them pre-bed the pads. I'm guessing I'm not getting the rotors seasoned well.

But I've heard Carbotch are more touchy to bed than other brands. I'll give them a few more chances, then I'll move on if I can't figure them out.

 

yes, I have Carbotech RP2 in the front
and yes, I bought direct pre-bedded too

so you think rotors are done OR can I "clean" them?

 

You can clean them off.
Carbotech says use 80 grit emery cloth disc on an angle grinder.
Be careful to keep it moving so you don't gouge into the surface.
I might try my random orbit sander next time.
Another option is a 3M "clean and strip disc", search on Amazon for it.

Send your pic to Carbotech and ask them the solution. I've heard others say Carbotechs are the most touchy for proper bedding.

My history:
Front rotors/pads changed for track events. Now using DBA4000.
XP8 work great on back brakes, and I leave them on for street also. Stock rear rotors.
XP10 front, summer '11--bad pad transfer on 4th track day. Carbotech said I was most likely over-temping them, so went to RP2 spring of '12.
RP2 started pad transfer right away. They said I overtemp'd them too.
XP12--first used at Brainerd MN on their long course w/ 10 turns. Worked great. Clean rotors after 3 days/400 miles of track time.
By the Sep '12 MPH Mustang Roundup, I was getting buildup again.

My Carbotech patients is wearing thin fast. And my XP12's I put on at BIR had the pad material offset longwise on the backing plate. I had to grind that edge off on the padlock asphalt to get them in the calipers--got several WTF looks from people walking by as I rubbed the pad on the asphalt. Sent Carbotech an email & pics--no response.

Don't mean to throw the, under the bus, but this is my frustrating experience. I'll clean the DBA4000's one more time, season them good, and give it a go. If they don't work, I'm switching to Pagid from http://www.trackdaysolutions.com/ who is PeteInCT over on BMO.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your results.

 

bad news, brought in the Boss to my closet Sears to turn the front rotors
Sears wil lnot turn them as they have micro cracks GRRRRR
....probably will be same msg at any shops

Anyone try NAPA "ultra premium" rotors @ $64/ea
....probably the same as stock?

 

Try finding a small parts shop or repair shop--they may turn them for you.
I'd suggest staying with OEM rotors per JScheier's post above. Some of the cheap rotors are made out of lower quality steel.
And the min rotor thickness should be molded into the inside hub. But we normally crack them before we wear them this thin.

 

Trying one last shop this afternoon...
need rotors for Sat Eagles Canyon Track Day

 

I had mine turned after the last outing in Nov. at ECR. I took them off the car and dropped them off at Orielly. I think it was around 15 bucks a rotor and had them back in about an hour.

 

Front rotors are spent, too many stress cracks, cant be turned :-(
Boss has about 18k miles, about 8 track days, and still meat on the RP2 pads.
Going to Darryl @ Premium Autoworks in Plano this AM to install new front rotors.

I'm trying out NAPA ultra premium rotors $60/ea had in stock....I heard they all the same at this price point until you jump to a EBC or Powerslot etc....

 

The ultra premiums sound pretty good.
Were they made in Mexico or China?
I've heard China rotors a lot of times are cheaper iron and aren't as good for our track days because they can't hold up.
Please give a report at the end of your track weekend.
Have fun and stay safe at the track.

 

Centric Blanks, $100 each. www.topbrakes.com