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.

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.