brake rotors

[icefishingnut58]

I have a question about front rear brake rotors on a 2003 chevy impala 3.4. I changed the rotors and pads a few years ago. I have 118000 miles on it now. my brakes are again pulsating when i step on the brakes. So I know its time for new rotors again. Im just wandering is it worth going with the higher priced rotors? I see at oriley auto they have some for 29.99 apiece. Will these wear out faster then the expensive ones? Or would i just be waisting money going with the more expensive ones.

thanks
gs

[maxwedge]

More important is cleaning the hub mounting surface thoroughly and torqueing the wheels properly, a better rotor may not guarantee avoiding this issue.

[Marty S.]

You have to watch it if you ride the brakes,your caliper is bad or rust in the brake lines.Your pads could be putting pressure on the rotor and getting them too hot and warping them.Try driving for awhile and put your hand by the wheel,if you feel alot of heat the caliper maybe bad..You could also compress the calipers,empty out most of the brake fluid and replace with fresh.Then rebleed the brakes.I had a vehicle that had rust in the lines,when you press down on the brake the caliper wouldnt release.Just a thought..

[josephk300]

I've had the pulsating problem even with torquing the lug nuts and with hubs in great condition. I even had pulsating with Raybestos high end rotors. I went with Centric rotors 70,000 ago, and they are still in great shape, and have never felt any pulsating. When the pads recenlty wore out, I cleaned the ridge off the rotors with an angle grinder, and put on new pads. Feel good as new, and expect to go another 70K if all work out. Also check out rotors from EBC, or if you don't mind spending the dough, cryo treated rotors that are slotted and cross drilled are available and supposed to maintain dimensional integrity even under hard braking conditions. I was able to find all these and more at autopartswarehouse on the web.

[Earlyboomer]

Have you ever rebuilt or replaced the calipers themselves? !18, 000 miles is a lot on the calipers with their pistons and rubber boots as well as the dirt, old fluid, possible rust as was mentioned etc. Remember calipers are precision items that work under a lot of pressure, and heat!, and they need some maintenance also. I just bought a clean 08 LTZ with 40,000 miles so checking all of this, rotors, calipers, and the linings is on my mind.