Best brake rotor option today???

[rnj]

Just purchased 99 PAU. Thing is amazingly clean for its aged. Runs smooth! With 119k on the clock. Only concerning issue is that while applying the brakes it shakes. First thought was bad rotors but am not sure since the pedal does not pulsate. I also noticed that driver side rotor does not have the same wear as the passenger side. Like the pad is not covering the entire area it should on the surface of the rotor. Also, rear rotors are both not wearing evenly. Seems as though the pad is not making contact with entire rotor surface on both drive and pass side. PO claims he had brakes replaced already. My questions...


1) Does the pedal necessarily need to pulsate when there is a bad or warped rotor?

2) is the uneven wear between the 2 front rotors a sign of warped rotor?

3) is the uneven wear in the rear rotors a sign if calipers binding.

4) And finally WHAT ROTOR IS BEST THESE DAYS SINCE NOTHING IS MADE IN USA????

[Tech II]

PO claims he had brakes replaced already.

How many years ago?



1) Does the pedal necessarily need to pulsate when there is a bad or warped rotor?

No generally, if you have a pulsation in the front, you will "feel" or see the steering wheel shake.....if it is coming from the rear, you will "feel" in your butt or hear it when seated in the back....a good way to feel a pulsation, is to come off the highway at 65mph and LIGHTLY apply the brakes....

2) is the uneven wear between the 2 front rotors a sign of warped rotor?

Not necessarily.....more often than not it is uneven wear in the pads, pads hanging up on calipers, sliding pins sticking, build up of rust between rotor and pad, which can cause uneven wear....

3) is the uneven wear in the rear rotors a sign if calipers binding.

More often than not it is rust and/or sliding pins not sliding....

4) And finally WHAT ROTOR IS BEST THESE DAYS SINCE NOTHING IS MADE IN USA????

It's almost impossible to get a parts made in the USA.....all the parts stores sell stuff from China.......they tend to warp quicker, and rust quicker......there is a company named EBC, but you will pay through the nose.......when you go for a brake job, they don't turn rotors anymore.....they just slap new pads/rotors on from China and you are on your way....

[rnj]

Thank you for the reply!!

So any suggestion on rotors or any place is as good as the next?

Does it sound like a rotor issue with steering wheel shaking when braking?

[Foolzrushn]

Yes I think your front rotors are warped....so are mine. Warped rotors will still stop the car if the pads are still good. It's just irritating having the steering wheel shake.

There are still some old scool places with the machine to turn rotors and drums, but the cost may be more than a new Chinese rotor. I am going to try to find some drilled rotors for the front where the heat is greatest.

I think the Chinese metal is softer than what we used to get, and warps more easily.