Warped Rotors?

Does anyone know how you can warp your brake rotors? I just had to replace my rear passenger side brake rotor because it was bent? How does that happen so I can avoid it in the future?

I just had my rear brake pads replaced just over a month ago and they made no mention of there being a problem. Then last week when I was braking (under 20mph) I could hear a kind of clicking sound as the car slowed down.

They took the wheel off and sure enough the rotor was noticably bent as you turned the axle. They gave me a possible reason but I will withhold that until I get some outside opinions first to see if they matchup.


thanks

Usually warped rotors happen because the heat doesn't excape fast enough thereby causing the rotor to warp. That is why the came outh with slotted and cross drilled rotors.

Couple of reason for over-heated rotors:
1. driving with foot on brake
2. bad caliper(sticking)
3. Brake pedal abuse
4. E-brake cable too tight or not working properly
8 out of 10 times warped rotors are due to driver error.

I always heard that if they get overheated and then they cool off really quick (say you hit a puddle or even just stop driving) it'll cause them to warp. Its from driver error whatever the cause is.

Other things that can happen is if you are using the brake alot and then leave your foot on the brake or pull up on the e-brake cable. Then the rotor will cool down at different rates because the pad is holding the heat against the rotor and the other sections are cooling faster.

But the click sound sounded like a CV joint. When you get on the brakes and your car pulses to a stop that's a warped rotor.

Cool, thanks for the response guys! I was told it could have been caused by pulling the emergency brake too hard after a long drive.

Since my daily work commute is 30 miles each way that is certainly possible. I'm kind of surprised this is the first time it happened in two years though.

I drive a standard (like that needs to be said) but don't usually leave the car in gear when I park - just use the E-brake. Is that a problem?

i guess maybe when you get to work...let it sit for a minute.. and then pull the ebrake.

unless you park on hill...in which case you're screwed :p

Driving is not going to heat up the brakes, unless you are driving mountain roads both ways to and from work. Driving just 1/4 mile down the road without the brakes cools them down enough to prevent warping. Unless what jackasssi said was true about your rear brake calipers sticking the whole time.

If there is a caliper binding problem, 1 pad & 1 rotor surface should be visually different than the rest. It could be as simple as cleaning/lubing your calipers - can't say for sure without seeing it.

if you get the rotors wet they are hot they will warp.

if you get the rotors wet they are hot they will warp.

What? where'd you hear that? If you get the rotor wet you are getting the whole rotor wet evenly so the whole rotor cools down the same.