Brake Rotors/Calipers and cleaning - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

secondchance · 10-22-2009

Yesterday we, the WAZOO guys, got together at Jim's and I spent the day replacing my old rotors. Although David refuses to believe but these rotors were on the car when I piked it up at Birmingham, AL back in fall of 2000. The car, at the time, had around 25,000 miles.

I suspected the car had been driven on the track because, upon close inspection, you could see small fissures (sort of tiny cracks) radiating from the center outward. My mechanic at the time told me that this type of damage/pattern occurs when rotors are super-heated and brakes are applied. I did not replace the rotors because it did not have any adverse effect on braking.
Well, 78,000 miles later, after extended high speed interstate driving, when I applied the brakes I was getting a pulsation indicating thet the front rotors were warping when heated. So, this prompted rotor replacement.

When I disassembled and removed the rotors, I noticed unusually heavy corrosion in the venting holes, back of the rotors and bearing hubs.
Then I realized, to clean the skanky looking calipers and brake dust build up, I removed all wheels and sprayed the hell out of calipers, knuckles, etc... with heavy duty wheel cleaners last April. Per instruction, I neutralized the area with soapy water (alkaline) after cleaning and scrubbing with brake dust remover. Despite this cleaning agent must have gotten into vent holes, back of the rotors and even onto flanges of bearing hubs.

Having seen what heavy duty brake dust remover can do, from this point on I will be much more careful in cleaning calipers and suspension joint areas. I am glad it did not damage brake caliper pistons and seals.

It is tempting to clean this area especially when running A-mold wheels because a large part of this area is visible unlike the sawblades. But, I would prefer scruffy calipers compared to unseen damage that can be done with brake dust cleaners beyond what meets the eye.

I thought I would share this with you all and asked Jim to post whatever pics he may have taken. I was too busy twirling wrenches.

QB93Z · 10-22-2009

Here are some pictures of the front rotors that we took off Yun's car:

Jim

gbrtng · 10-22-2009

Oh, that's not bad - you should see my stock ones when I get through with a track event.
But that big greasy thumbprint ... yikes!

QB93Z · 10-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrtng

....But that big greasy thumbprint ... yikes!

Forensic analysis has determined that the finger print does not belong to the photographer.

The photos above are of the take-off rotors.

Here is a pic of the replacement rotor:

Jim

10-22-2009	#1
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Brake Rotors/Calipers and cleaning Yesterday we, the WAZOO guys, got together at Jim's and I spent the day replacing my old rotors. Although David refuses to believe but these rotors were on the car when I piked it up at Birmingham, AL back in fall of 2000. The car, at the time, had around 25,000 miles. I suspected the car had been driven on the track because, upon close inspection, you could see small fissures (sort of tiny cracks) radiating from the center outward. My mechanic at the time told me that this type of damage/pattern occurs when rotors are super-heated and brakes are applied. I did not replace the rotors because it did not have any adverse effect on braking. Well, 78,000 miles later, after extended high speed interstate driving, when I applied the brakes I was getting a pulsation indicating thet the front rotors were warping when heated. So, this prompted rotor replacement. When I disassembled and removed the rotors, I noticed unusually heavy corrosion in the venting holes, back of the rotors and bearing hubs. Then I realized, to clean the skanky looking calipers and brake dust build up, I removed all wheels and sprayed the hell out of calipers, knuckles, etc... with heavy duty wheel cleaners last April. Per instruction, I neutralized the area with soapy water (alkaline) after cleaning and scrubbing with brake dust remover. Despite this cleaning agent must have gotten into vent holes, back of the rotors and even onto flanges of bearing hubs. Having seen what heavy duty brake dust remover can do, from this point on I will be much more careful in cleaning calipers and suspension joint areas. I am glad it did not damage brake caliper pistons and seals. It is tempting to clean this area especially when running A-mold wheels because a large part of this area is visible unlike the sawblades. But, I would prefer scruffy calipers compared to unseen damage that can be done with brake dust cleaners beyond what meets the eye. I thought I would share this with you all and asked Jim to post whatever pics he may have taken. I was too busy twirling wrenches. Last edited by secondchance; 10-22-2009 at 10:15 AM.

10-22-2009	#2
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,689	Re: Brake Rotors/Calipers and cleaning Here are some pictures of the front rotors that we took off Yun's car: Jim __________________ If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right! 1990 Black ZR-1 - sold 1993 Quasar Blue ZR-1 1994 Competition Yellow ZR-1 1995 Dark Purple ZR-1 Maryland State Coordinator WAZOO Member

10-22-2009	#3
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: Brake Rotors/Calipers and cleaning Oh, that's not bad - you should see my stock ones when I get through with a track event. But that big greasy thumbprint ... yikes! __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer