What Causes Brake Rotors to Warp?

Brake rotors are a huge deal in a vehicle because they help stop the wheels when the brake pads clamp down on them. But overtime, the brake rotors can warp, causing issues. Why do they warp? Find out below why brake rotors warp.

 

Causes of Warped Brake Rotors

Here are the most two common reasons the brake rotor would warp in a vehicle:

Glazed with material

Driving a car at higher speeds means there is a lot of heat generated by the time you brake to stop your car. When that happens, the brake pads material is constantly touching the brake rotor. Overtime, some material may even be on the brake rotors, causing it to warp. When that happens, the brake pads won't be able to grip as firmly on the brake rotor as it would be too slippery.

 

Wear and tear

If you're heavy on the brakes, it puts a lot of pressure on the brake rotor when you suddenly press on the brakes. There is already excessive heat and if it's constantly applied, eventually the brake rotor will warp.

 

How Do I Know If My Brake Rotors Need To Be Replaced?

These are the signs that you need to know about determining if the brake rotors need to be replaced or not:

 

Squealing

When you come to a stop, you shouldn't hear the squealing. You should suspect the brake rotors are the cause.

 

Jittering while braking

With braking, it should be smooth. But if you experience jittering randomly, you'll want to look to see if the brake rotors are the cause or not.

 

Vibrating while stopped

The car is in idle, and suddenly you feel you're going over a bunch of mini speed bumps. The problem is, you're stopped. If this is happening, you can suspect that the brake rotors are warped at this point.

 

Conclusion

Brake rotors warp is preventable if the brake pads are properly broken in, and you are careful with braking. If you need brake repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!

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