Premature (?) brake rotor warping

I have a 2000 Civic with almost 30,000 miles on it. Recently, I
experienced a rather jarring vibration in the steering wheel when
applying the brakes with more than gentle pressure at speeds greater
than 60 MPH. I'm guessing that this indicates a warped rotor.

Assuming that this is a rotor problem I have two questions. First of
all, isn't that a pretty low mileage to experience rotor problems at?
I don't think that I use the brakes excessively. Second, can warped
rotors be spotted during a brake inspection? In February I had a
30,000 mile/48 month service done at the dealer, which I'm pretty sure
included a brake inspection. I experienced the vibration during the
first high-speed driving I did since this service. I can't think of
any events in the last 2 months or ~500 miles that could have warped
the rotors significantly.

 

This problem is often caused by calipers sticking.
The calipers are supposed to float, so that very
small runout/warping on the rotor does not have
an affect. A sticky caliper will not float, and will
produce the effect you describe.

Replacing the rotor will sometimes cure the problem
because they re-grease the caliper slide mechanism
at the same time, but the rotor may not have needed
replacing.

Obviously it may not be that, but 30,000 is definitely
early for a warped rotor.

Al

 

How easily do you jar? I mean, how severe is the vibration? And you
feel it in the steering? No pulsations at the pedal?

Anyhow, general info on rotors:

http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/Brakes.html#Padwear

 

I started to notice brake pulsing, especially at high speeds, on a '99
Integra at ~20K miles so not it's not too unusual; the pulsing would
persist afterwards, even at slow speeds until the brakes cooled down again.
If the warping only happens at high temps, i.e. high speed braking, then
no, it cannot be detected at a brake inspection. I'm not even sure what
the dealer "inspection" consists of - possibly just checking pad thickness.

First thing to check is the torque on your wheel nuts but it'd have to be
pretty badly off to cause warping. Check the rotors for smear marks which
could be due to pad contamination and also for excessive corrosion. Take a
look at the URL from John Ings and from there click through to
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf100326.htm.

I recently replaced the rear rotors on my Integra due to excessive
corrosion and it's cured my warping problem. Look at the section in the
above URL to do with corrosion on the hub mating surface - this was the
cause of my warped rotor syndrome. The Honda rear hubs have two holes in
them -- not sure, don't recall, about the fronts -- and what happens is
that corrosion builds up around those holes, accelerated by Winter driving
of course - the corrosion seeps between the hub and rotor around the holes.
This leads to two high spots on the hub which distorts the rotors,
especially when they're hot. If you are really motivated here, try taking
your rotors off and check the mating betwen the hub and rotor... and please
do report back.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Have you had new tires put on recently? They often over torque the lug bolts
and may be the cause of the warped rotors you describe. If the rotor is
warped you can check it on the car or take it off and take it to a shop to
do it <$10 . wolf

 

The brake calipers are jamming. It causes severe but inconsistent
pulsation when braking.

Were your brakes serviced by any less-than-competent mechanics? The
calipers are damaged by the wrong kind of grease. I don't know about
the 00 model, but the 96/97 model requires pure silicone grease. Auto
stores never seem to carry pure silicone grease but Radio Shack 64-2326
works great.

 

On 15 Apr 2004 12:06:20 -0700, (Michael Klatt) wrote:

||I have a 2000 Civic with almost 30,000 miles on it. Recently, I
||experienced a rather jarring vibration in the steering wheel when
||applying the brakes with more than gentle pressure at speeds greater
||than 60 MPH. I'm guessing that this indicates a warped rotor.
||
||Assuming that this is a rotor problem I have two questions. First of
||all, isn't that a pretty low mileage to experience rotor problems at?
||I don't think that I use the brakes excessively. Second, can warped
||rotors be spotted during a brake inspection? In February I had a
||30,000 mile/48 month service done at the dealer, which I'm pretty sure
||included a brake inspection. I experienced the vibration during the
||first high-speed driving I did since this service. I can't think of
||any events in the last 2 months or ~500 miles that could have warped
||the rotors significantly.

That brake inspection had to include removal of the wheels. I bet when they
bolted them back on they failed to torque them correctly and warp the rotors.
Proving them responsible would be impossible though. Suggest you plan on a new
rotor or two, and consider replacing them yourself. It's fairly simple work.
Rex in Fort Worth

 

That brake inspection had to include removal of the wheels. I bet when they

Absolutely agree. The dealer screwed him.

Fastest way to generate some nice business is to torque the hell out
of the lugs when inspecting the brakes.

I just had this happen last week (non-dealer). The lugs were so tight
I had to push down with one leg while pulling up absolutely as hard as
I could on the other side of the lug wrench. And I'm a pretty heavy
guy. I would estimate well over 200 ft.lbs. and if I had cast alloys
instead of forged, they might be cracked as well. My studs are galled
pretty badly too. Fortunately I checked their work right after, and
protected my recently installed rotors.

My shoulder hurt for a couple of days after doing that ordeal 10
times. I wouldn't have been surprised if a lug had simply broken off.

JM