'99 SLT - Front Brake Rotors Disintegrating

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was another surprise. Took off the front driver's wheel just to check a vibration i heard. Turned out just to be a stick scraping the backing plate - no problem. What I did not expect was next. After admiring how nicely the outside face of my rotors are wearing and how much brake pads remain on my 26k mile ride, I was shocked to take a closer look at the inside face of the rotors. The surface was flaking off near the inner edge and in the middle of the rotor area. I couldnt believe it. The brakes had been smooth, no pulsing, but beginning to lose bite. As the day turned out, I replaced both front rotors with new Raybestos PG rotors and new quality pads. I don't brake hard, no towing - nothing but easy driving. These were the orginal factory setup. The calipers were not binding, hoses ok, pads worn evenly. Anyone else ever seen anything like this? The rotor material can be flaked off with a fingernail. Scary.

NJGM -- yeah, I have a 98 and the same thing was evident. The rotors almost crumbled in my hands. It surprised me too.

Just about every GM truck out there - Do you have rear disc brakes? My guess is that your rears look the same.

The vehicles that don't have it are the ones that ARE driven hard. This is because the heat that is generated by hard braking dries out any moisture on (in) the rotor.

We turn about a dozen rotors a week, after turning the rotors heat up quicker and we see very few return customers for the same concern.

Hope this helps.

I got 60000 on my brakes but what I saw shocked me and my mechanic. my pads still had 30 % on the ends and 50 % in the center and the rotors matched! they looked kinda like this } }. Now it's time for my next saga a smell antifreeze in my ac vents!

I too have the 30% 50% 30% pads and rotors on the rear. Went to replace the rotors and can not get them off. Any tips on removing the rear rotors?

I too have the 30% 50% 30% pads and rotors on the rear. Went to replace the rotors and can not get them off. Any tips on removing the rear rotors?


What trouble are you having, exactly?

Actually the problem is solved. They were just tight. Nothing a little persistancy and a bfh couldn't fix. Thanks anyway.

I used a large three leg puller I borrowed from an automotive parts store. It was quick and easy and reduced the stress to the bearing from banging it off.

Not only did I have the same problem with my 2000 Jimmy 4x4 before I traded it in, but i had the same exact problem just 2 weeks ago with my 2002 Envoy SLT 4x4. Then I replaced my friends 1999 Grand Am Brakes (front and rear disc) and her car had the same problem. The rotors just seem to be cheap quality or something. The pads werent all that bad, but the rotors on all 3 vehicles starting falling apart and making the brakes grind. Very Common problem.

use your brakes harder, i have seen this before you are to easy on your brakes not keeping the rotors dry/clean/shiney and they rot.. on other hand you will just be replacing pads a little cheaper i guess