warped rotors

[Gianni]

I had new brake pads and rotors put on back in late oct. 01. I brought the car in today because of a shimmy in the stearing column when I brake. They told me the rotors were warped and they had to machine them. It has only been about 9k since I had the new ones put on. Is this a common thing with these cars?

 

[Rogue Stang]

Improper torqing of the lug nuts will cause. If the lug nuts are not torqed in the right patern and not torqed to the proper ft/il, they will warp when you step on the brakes.

 

[jhawk]

I have had problems with the rotors warping on my 99. I have had sets last less than three months and I torque them down correctly.

 

[Mac98SHO]

I hate to say this but Ford front rotors to suck! I believe it more than just the rotors it might be that the front has too much braking load also. I not sure though.

My Cougar, Mustang 91 and 99, and my SHO warp. THe best thing I bought was Cross drilled ROtors for my 91 LX. That will come in due time on my SHO.

Mac

 

[SHODWN]

I have had the same pair through Hallet and 50 other race sessions. I love my Autozone rotors

 

[mholhut]

My '96 warp's rotors like mad. The Autozone replacements I bought in Tulsa after the Hallett track day have now warped. It's more than a shimmy.... It's a shake, rattle and roll! Kirk grimmaced when I torqued mine down to spec and thought that was too tight. I took his wheel off very easily the other night; it was almost scary.

I've heard that over-tightening can cause the rotor to warp. Personally, I think that may be a heap of dung. The portion of the rotor where the lugs pass through is at least 2" thick. I really find it hard to believe that 95 lbs/ft of torque on the lug nuts will warp a 2" thick piece of metal, or cause the rotor surface to warp as a result. Maybe I just don't have enough information on the subject. Can anyone better explain this???

Anyways, my rotors are due again, so I'll go back to AutoZone for another set and try to get them replaced before their 90 day warranty runs out wink

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Mike, the torque specs are 95-105 ft-lbs on the wheel, in a 2 stage pattern. If using a gun, they should be torqued first by a torque stick, and then snugged up in the cross pattern, to 100. I think all SHOs have nasty rotors. After some heavy braking in Pearl, you should see the steering wheel when I brake. I'm waiting because I have the brake upgrade coming. I'll get cross drilled after I warp those. Btw, could you email me off-forum, or private message, regarding a few questions I have? thanks!

<small>[ April 13, 2002, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: SHO91MTX ]</small>

 

[Croaker]

I've heard that using an air tool to tighten them down will cause them to warp like mad (any rotor). I've seen our mechanic at work do it! shoot

I'd give my 2pennies...but it was payday and my wife got them! wink

-Kevin

 

[stephen newberg]

The rotors on mine were warped when I bought the car at 38,00 km , were replaced under warranty at about 40,000 km, and remain just fine up to now, which is at about 80,000 km. I have no idea if the tire lug thing can do it, but my tire shop is rather serious and careful about torquing. It is also worth noting that my Explorer, which we got new in '98, warped its rotors at whatever the factory torquing was since the tires never came off before it happend at about 15,000 km. Again, I had them replaced under warranty and at about 57,000 km there has been no repeat of the problem. My prior '91 Explorer we got used and it had warped rotors when I got it. We replaced them at Midas and they then worked fine until we traded the truck in with about 220,000 km on it. Perhaps it is something about the initial install at the Ford factory?

pax, smn

 

[Mac98SHO]

Mike,

What type of pads do you run? Front and Rear.

Maybe the pads used would contribute to the warping...... This might be a stretch

<small>[ April 13, 2002, 09:44 AM: Message edited by: Mac98SHO ]</small>

 

[Croaker]

I don't know if it's strickly a ford thing. I've had warped rotors in a Dakota I owned, and my beater chaveleir (sp?)

-Kevin

 

[mholhut]

Mac98SHO:
Mike,

What type of pads do you run? Front and Rear.

Maybe the pads used would contribute to the warping...... This might be a stretch

At Hallett, I had Bendix rotors up front with Raybestos PG Plus pads. In the rear, I had the PG Plus rotors and pads. Now, up front I have the AutoZone rotors with their Albany pads. The rear setup hasn't changed.

I really don't think they are the cause....