How long do rotors last?

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by knate24

Of course those are all true statements. You seem to know your stuff. Your explanation helps ereryone to understand the root causes of the GC front brake problems. Except for the wheel torquing, which would only make it worse, the GC's that exhibit the warping have steel center/composite rotors, two piston calipers, and pads that do not have adequate heat dissipation and tend to stick. The system just wasn't designed to handle the way we drive Jeeps. I ordered a set of front drilled brakes and ceramic pads for my 2000 GC just the other day from JCWhitney. I hope a lotta people read this thread, it could save them plenty of $$$.

Please explain what you mean in reference to wheel torquing making it worse.

[Jeep6855]

My 2004 Grand Cherokee that has had warped rotors 4 times in 26,000 miles has always had the wheels torqued to 95lbs every time the wheels have been remove and this was also when the rotors were replaced each time. Never had a flat. As far as a dirt problem - only the dealership would know about this, when they changed the rotors each time. I'm pretty sure the calipers were replace the last time also - 6,000 miles ago

[knate24]

Originally Posted by JDPascal

Please explain what you mean in reference to wheel torquing making it worse.

Here's what I meant. If someone isn't torqueing their wheels properly, it's going to make a rotor that's prone to warping even worse.

Remember all 1999-2000 GC owners.

Lugs tightened to 80-110!
Caliper retaining mount bolts to 66-85!
Caliper slidepin bolts to 21-30!

Just finished my install of rotors from JCWhitney, unfortunately, they sent me pads for the Teves caliper, while I have the Akebono. So I had to run out and get some semi-metallic from a local carquest.
All in all, once ALL supplies had been purchased it took about 2 hours to complete the entire rotor and caliper replacement. I recommend that every Jeep owner do this.

[xj31]

Originally Posted by knate24

Of course those are all true statements. You seem to know your stuff. Your explanation helps ereryone to understand the root causes of the GC front brake problems. Except for the wheel torquing, which would only make it worse, the GC's that exhibit the warping have steel center/composite rotors, two piston calipers, and pads that do not have adequate heat dissipation and tend to stick. The system just wasn't designed to handle the way we drive Jeeps. I ordered a set of front drilled brakes and ceramic pads for my 2000 GC just the other day from JCWhitney. I hope a lotta people read this thread, it could save them plenty of $$$.

I have to disagree with you on a few things you said.First of all,those are not composite rotors.They are solid 1 piece cast iron rotors.I know this because I work at a dealer and I have changed quite a few of them.The older jeeps had composite rotors but the Wjs which have the problem have solid rotors.Also you say the pads dont have adequate heat dissipation.How did you arrive at that conclusion?If you ask me,those are some pretty good sized brake pads,they seem like they should be able to dissipate heat better than the older jeeps that had pads half the size and they didn't warp rotors like these things.But thats just my opinion.The part you said about the system is not designed to handle the way we drive our jeeps I also disagree.Most people that have this problem just drive normally.Basically what I'm trying to say is,yeah,these things have a problem.It's something in the design and chrysler tried to fix it once and they failed miserably.In 99 they used the teves parts and when they started warping rotors they had us cutting them on the car.Guess what it didn't fix it.Then they came out with the akebono stuff.I think that was around 01.They thought it was the calipers and they were so sure that it would fix it.Obviously,wrong again.They tried blaming mechanics for not installing the parts correctly after they started to come back.I always wondered why the ones the guys at the factory put on were warping at 8000 miles then.One thing I do agree with but I think you dont,is that if you do not torque the lug nuts correctly,you will have a problem.And in a lot of cases instantly.I work with some clowns that do not believe in using anything other than their Ingersol set as high as it goes to put wheels on.I have seen them do something as simple as a tire rotation and the customer comes back thesame day complaining that their brakes which did not pulsate before they brought the jeep in are pulsating now.Now i have seen only a few people using drilled rotors at the shop and I have not heard any complaints so you might have the only real fix for this.I know chrysler can't fix it.Also to anyone else who has this problem,I have seen chrysler buy rotors for customers long after their warranty is expired.They definetly wont advertise that but if you have a history of trouble and you make enough noise,they might try and help out.If the dealer wont help,call chrysler.Its chryslers money and their decision not the dealers.Dealers are completely independent businesses from chrysler.They are authorized to sell and repair vehicles,but they don't build them and they can't decide if any repairs can or can't be warranteed.They might try to B.S. you but Chrysler really makes the call.