CC24: The Brake Rotor Warping Myth

Every automotive expert says your shaking brakes are from warped rotors. Conventional wisdom and just what seems to be "obvious" supports the idea of warped rotors.
Guess what; everyone is wrong. Brake rotors don't warp. It's impractical to think that they do, especially in normal every day driving situations. Extremely rare outliers aside, the brake rotor warping myth is sold as the everyday occurrence that happens to people all the time.
No, I am sorry, it's false. Listen to the podcast to hear the explanation of why rotor warping is a myth, and how to resolve shaking during braking.

[@Slking507]

People who ride there brakes, my neighbor for instance, absolutely warp their rotors. You can see her warped rotors almost with the naked eye... 😂... But, I do understand what you are saying.

[@vincentp.chianese2873]

@kristiang.5237 4 months ago I agree. Back in the 60's when only foreign cars, Jag’s, Porsche, M-B, TR4’s, MGB’s, had disc brakes, we seldom had this issue. We could change pads several times on a rotor as long as it wasn't heavily grooved. Even on track cars. But then the domestic cars started using disc brakes and they started cutting corners to save a buck. Chevrolet was one of the worst. That said, I like the idea, but I really think it is a bit of an overreach. If the rotor isn’t warped then how do you explain that when one starts to cut it, it has high spots and low spots. You can hear it on the cutting lathe as it rotates, hits, and miss. And it is not braking pad material it is removing but in fact it is metal that is being removed. Also, if it were just brake pad material then a quick clean up with a good piece of Emory cloth would solve the problem. Sand then down, cleaning all brake material off and “Bob’s your uncle” the pulsing goes away. But that doesn’t work.

[@dpete8995]

I have cured “warped rotors” by doing a break-in/ burn-in

[@jontnoneya3404]

VERY interesting! Thanks!! The "warped rotor" explanation never made sense to me. You mentioned "When you replace the brake pads, strip away the old transfer layer and put down a new transfer layer you'll notice better braking." Do you have a vid talking about how to do that or the best way to do that? Or is it simple enough to not need a vid cuz I'm not entirely certain how to do that.

[@Heeltoe.]

The bedding process is what you mean. I have not really documented that well. But I should...

[@dpete8995]

Break-in / burn-in procedure, that is, similar to that recommended by StopTech. I my mind this proves the theory of uneven transfer layer as the cause of brake pulsing or shaking.

[@Heeltoe.]

It's pretty widely accepted that the bedding in procedure is critical to effective braking, but somehow it gets lost when the shaking starts and people look straight at the rotor.

[@Ra-se4zr]

So I just watched your video again and @ 3:49 -3:51 somewhere in there you state " that's a myth rotors don't warp " the rest of your video is pretty on the money about material buildup and transfer you left out is that it is the pad material transfer when they are first put into service that causes highs and lows on the rotors which creates more and more heat poor breaking and excessive heat which intern is responsible for the rotors being warped, you've got a lot of good information but I think you need to retract that statement about it's a myth rotors don't warp they do keep up the good work

[@eudaimonia137]

great video! thank you for taking the time. what's your rotor and brake recommendation for a 2021 tlx type s? Specifically, for the owner that doesn't track, but will absolutely take advantage of a winding wide open stretch of road?

[@Heeltoe.]

So far we have had the most success with RB XT910 pads and rotors. We love them on our TLX (see other TLX videos on our channel). www.heeltoeauto.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=all&search_str=racingbrake+tlx

[@kristiang.5237]

While I respect your opinion and I agree with some of the things you’ve said, I disagree on the main topic. Brake rotors can and do warp. This is caused by repeated cycles of heating and cooling. Rotor composition and pad bedding process (or lack thereof) will also have a big effect on how long it takes for this to happen and to what extent. High carbon content and cryogenics will greatly delay and reduce the effect, so yes, purchasing higher quality rotors is a good thing.

[@Heeltoe.]

Thanks for the comment! We never said that rotors can't warp, just that the vast majority of time they do not. The myth is that it happens all the time. It doesn't. The knee-jerk reaction to brakes shaking is "warped rotors" and nearly every time this is false.

[@permabulk1454]

That’s NOT a warped rotor and you are flat out wrong. If your ROTOR was WARPED it would not spin inside the caliper. Even the cheapest rotors on the market are made of CAST STEEL that could not warp at the heats applied during the heaviest of braking. Even at plus 700° It would take literal torches to attempt to warp them. The only thing you’ve ever felt with your brake rotor is inconsistency of brake pad material being laid across your brake rotor surface. In turn, giving you the feeling of “rotor being warped”. You’ve never warped a rotor, regardless of what you think.

[@kristiang.5237]

@@permabulk1454 have you ever heard of or seen brake rotors being turned/cut on a lathe? What are they cutting then… brake pad material? I think not.

[@davidzebar6876]

So is there any point in getting expensive rotors then? Sounds like your local AutoZone rotor would work just as well as long as you have good pads

[@Heeltoe.]

There definitely can be yes! Material composition (ie, higher carbon content) and post-processing like heat treatment and cryo treatment harden rotors which extend the life. Rotors with curved vanes vs straight ones will shed heat more efficiently. Two-piece rotors will shed heat better and weigh less as well. Larger rotors have more mass which allows them to take on more heat before they max out and start overheating the pads. But for regular road use, those benefits are often not worth the cost. But try telling a real enthusiast that. THey want fancy parts.

[@BTL3.0]

I have a 2017 toyota sequoia with 41k kn the odo. Last November i replaced the front rotors and pads. Stoptech slotted rotor and hawk lts pads. Bedding according to Hawk's instructions on the box. So far the brake have less than 3000 miles on it. But i notice that from moderate to firm pressure on the brake will cause pulsating and steering wheel to shakes/vibrate hard. But if i am easy on the pedal it is smooth. Stopping from 60+mph with medium pressure it will pulsate. What does this mean? This issue is driving me crazy. I've replaced rotors and pads on our other vehicles and non have this issue.

[@Heeltoe.]

Hi! Personally I think it means you have a transfer layer there. The pads may need to be a little more aggressive, or perhaps when you bedded them they got too hot. I don't have direct experience with the LTS so I am not 100% sure.

[@camerongrady580]

The current generation Passport (which i own) is probably the most poorly engineered braking Honda ive ever experienced. Upgraded pads and rotors solved the issue entirely. Honda specs the weakest pads for that large vehicle. Its ridiculous.

[@Heeltoe.]

What pads did you use?

[@camerongrady580]

@@Heeltoe. I went for the Stoptech street pads and have been really happy with them. Paired with the Stoptech slotted rotors. Did all 4 corners.

[@raymondchildrey475]

My 2021 TLX is doing this 😮

[@Heeltoe.]

No doubt, almost 100% the reason for this video is to educate TLX people. We have parts to fix it though! Shop Heeltoe!

[@Ra-se4zr]

You're wrong absolutely rotors warp if you never taken your rotors off of your vehicle put them on a turning lathe and turn them you will see the high and low spots and if you ever put a dial indicator on a warped rotor they are warped rotors

[@Heeltoe.]

You may not have listened to the entire content.

[@Ra-se4zr]

@@Heeltoe. I will be happy to GO back and watch again, if a miss interpreted something that led me to believe that you were saying that rotors don't warp I will correct my statement ,,. steel warps when it gets hot if it's not heated evenly any steel cast-iron warps that's why you use torque plates when boring cast-iron

[@XS-ry6ig]

What does all your ranting and raving about new microphones and everything have to do with warped brake rotors? Who really cares that you got all this new stuff in cyber week get to the video of warped brake rotors we don't care

[@Heeltoe.]

Just trying to make some content here, trying to be authentic and engaging. Some people enjoy it, sorry if you don't like it. Thanks for pooping out your opinion, though.