rotor ?

[glpd74]

In checking my rotors I see that the front rotors have grooves in them. My question is do you guys recomend grinding them down or just replacing them with new ones. I have the 20" LTZ rims so not sure if the extra weight puts to much torque on shaved rotors. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

TJ

[mdtahoe]

Are you having any other brake problems? If you do not need pads there is no reason to do anything the groves are common and will return. The are created by a hard piece of friction material in the pads.

[iwaslowr]

Upgrade.
http://www.baer.com/products/rotors/img/thumbnail-eradispeed-plus-one.png

[73shark]

Are you having any other brake problems? If you do not need pads there is no reason to do anything the groves are common and will return. The are created by a hard piece of friction material in the pads.

^^^^^^^^^

Good advice.

[blueflamed03]

a shop will tell you if they are too thin to turn, then if you must upgrade, slotted like Power Slots would be a good upgrade.

[LVyukyuk]

Keep in mind with the upgrade to slotted and drilled rotors, you will go through pads a little quicker. I don't have personal experience, but I have been told that simply replacing the rotors with slotted and drilled really will not offer that much more braking power.

Grooves in the rotor are normal. This is due like someone else said, to larger particles in the pad itself, or a small rock got lodged inbetween the pad and rotor. (more common if you go off road or drive on dirt roads or unpaved surfaces) If you are not experiencing shuttering, pulsing, or squeeking, and the pads still have life in them, leave well enough alone for now.

[glpd74]

thanks guys. I'm not the best mechanic around so I'm not sure if my pads need to be replaced. I don't really notice anything but I know the pads haven't been changed for at least 20,000mi. I just noticed that the front rotors had grooves in them and the rear did not. I'm also starting to have a hard time trying to keep the front rims clean, getting like a goldish color...was thinking that it was being caused by hot metal coming off of the rotor onto the rim and staining it. I really appreciate the help here on the forum as I try to learn to be more self sufficient on the hoe.

TJ

[73shark]

The front brakes do about 70% of the braking due to weight shift. The color you are seeing is probably just the brake pad dust. Be sure to keep your wheels clean as it will damage the clear coat on the factory wheels if left on too long.

The OEM pads have scrapers on them that will start to squeal when it's time to replace the pads. At first they will just squeal when you apply the brakes and then as they wear more, they will start to squeal all of the time. Best not to wait to the second notice. ;)

[Redline5004]

Got the same going on with mine. Pads are still good though so I'm just going to wait a little while then get some crossed drilled to replace them. Figure with the big wheels need something fancy since you can see them.

[007fl]

First, if you only have 20K miles on your truck it almost certainly does NOT need brakes. These brakes last 80K plus under normal conditions. The grooves you see are normal.

Second, as 73shark said, you have wear indicators that will tell you if your pads are getting thin.

Third, if you do upgrade eventually, think larger, not slotted/drilled. Slotted/drilled rotors give you no performance increase (check photos of track cars,, no slotted/drilled rotors there). They look nice (I even have them on my Vette) but that is all. They also make pads wear more.

Speaking of pad wear,,, for all drivers,,,, if you see tiny rust spots on your chrome wheels it is far more likely that it is rusted brake dust than anything else. Remember you pads are semi-metallic and that metal rusts. You DO need to get it cleaned off the wheels though or it will discolor your chrome.

GL

[blueflamed03]

so your saying slotted and drilled rotors add no benefit??

[rogersinsel]

In checking my rotors I see that the front rotors have grooves in them. My question is do you guys recomend grinding them down or just replacing them with new ones. I have the 20" LTZ rims so not sure if the extra weight puts to much torque on shaved rotors. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

TJ

Grooves or channels in your rotors is not normal. They will wear out, but they'll wear uniformly. Discoloration of the rotor is also not normal. Either you are over using them or something is wrong. Have them checked. Your disk should look shiny. If it is bluish or has a dark tint, replace the rotor and the pads. The best thing you could ever do is to replace them both as a set. Rotors do wear out! Check out GMPartsDirect.

---------- Post added at 09:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------

thanks guys. I'm not the best mechanic around so I'm not sure if my pads need to be replaced. I don't really notice anything but I know the pads haven't been changed for at least 20,000mi. I just noticed that the front rotors had grooves in them and the rear did not. I'm also starting to have a hard time trying to keep the front rims clean, getting like a goldish color...was thinking that it was being caused by hot metal coming off of the rotor onto the rim and staining it. I really appreciate the help here on the forum as I try to learn to be more self sufficient on the hoe.

TJ

What is the total mileage on your truck? What year?

[LVyukyuk]

so your saying slotted and drilled rotors add no benefit??


For braking distance, no. Well kinda. Haha! They dissipate heat a little better is about it. They are effective in stopping brake fade, a little. Most if not all rotors are vented today so not a big improvement. From what I have seen and experienced, they just eat pads. I agree though, they are pretty to look at if you have big wheels. Also, many of them are made by 'fly by night' companies and I have heard they warp pretty good. Just not worth the bucks.

[blueflamed03]

I've heard great by Power Slots, Hawk pads and stainless brake lines...heard nothing negative, until now...

[LVyukyuk]

I hear ya! I was all set to replace them on a truck I had. The lines are not going to improve braking, the pads I'm sure did, probably more organic material, and the rotors, well, dead horse. I know wifeys Lexus has organic front pads and some serious calipers. That thing will break your neck in a hard stop. BUT, her rims are ALWAYS a mess. Sigh...

[007fl]

Keep in mind we aren't talking about performance vehicles here anyway.
What we need on our SUV's are larger discs and pads for gripping power.
The "discussed" benefits of Slotted/Drilled, while debatable at best, simply will not come into play when we aren't road coursing our trucks. So, even if you could show benefits on a track car they wouldn't scale over to our vehicles.

Larger, yes, that equates to better stopping power. I could even be convinced that stainless lines would help get ALL the pressure into the pads.

But hey, don't get me wrong. When my rotors are shot I'll get larger ones, and they'll be slotted/drilled rotors for the looks.

I will also make sure they are zinc dipped to keep them pretty all the time.

[bass1775]

Hey can slotted rotors be resurfaced? How about crossed drilled ones also?

[glpd74]

its an 07 ltz with 60,000mi. Thanks for the heads up on the goldish color coming from brake dust and not from metal coming off the rotor. I havn't had any pulsing or noise while braking but I noticed at low speed while driving with the windows down I can hear what sounds like a metal grinding noise.