I'm warping brake disks like nobody's business

[Gaz]

Not sure what I'm doing to my brake disks but they sure don't like it.

Having felt the brakes pumping slightly for some time I suspected that the front brake disks were warped. I sensed this because I've experienced it before. In fact, this is the second set of disks I've had in about 18 months and both sets have warped. The local Honda mechanic confirmed my suspicions yesterday and said they were pretty badly warped. The current ones have only done about 15,000 miles. Interestingly, the previous disks had to be changed after about 15,000 miles too because they were warped.

I would have expected to get more than 15,000 miles out of a set of brake disks (genuine Honda ones), or am I being unrealistic? I don't brake heavily.

I was wondering if I've had some from a bad batch at Honda and wondered if anyone else experienced rapid warping of Honda brake disks?

What are the usual suspects for repeatedly warping brake disks?

Cheers
Gaz

[Rubberchicken]

Dunno, but you might like to get in touch with this guy:
http://stores.ebay.de/MX-TEC

He's got more available than what's listed in the shop, just ask. I've got a custom disc still on order for the GS (320mm fully floating yummmm), and a friend has just received a "standard" disc for her XL600R, for 42 euro. "Standard" because it turned out to be a wave disc, oh well.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Brake discs shouldn't warp.
Check the calipers are sliding freely and whip the pistons out & clean up behind the seals.

Phil

[Lumiya]

Yep, as PUSD says check your callipers aren't binding as overheating is the usual non-idiotic way of warping disks..

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Whats the idiotic way I here you ask...It can only be done with the devils tools called a disk lock and the mesmerising forget about it spell!!!

Kymmy

[BobA]

Just a question, but didn't the "local Honda mechanic" spot the cause?

I'll go with the rest, but add a few other thoughts...

1) Binding calipers
2) Knackered wheel bearing/s causing the wheel to run out of true, and the disc to rub on the pad (happened to me!)
3) Too much brake fluid in the reservoir (no air at the top), not allowing the pads to return
4) Slowing down from high speed, with a long trailing brake, then sitting at the lights with the brakes on, concentrating the hot pad on one part of the disc.

Good Luck


Bob

[meljordan]

Just two more= are your calipers torqed up and are the four spring clips in place as they can cause judder if loos/diffy which is a disc killer !!

[jamespayne]

Hey Gaz. I know on a car when discs are first replaced, they must be be treated carefully when braking, especially in the first 100 miles, as the sudden impact of pads to "new" steel disc causes huge temp increases, which wont always show up straight away, but will eventually warp discs. The answer is to cadance brake (pumping the pedal/lever in quick succession)(dont do it with ABS) to avoid the heat building up. Keeping the brake on while stopped forces hot pads against discs and causes hot spots, which again will warp discs. I assume you are fitting new pads with the discs?

[russh]

Check the mating face of the disc with the hub, I had a problem on a car where there has been the slightest bit of crud on the face causing the disc to not sit totally square. over time this caused the disc to start to wear unevenly causing pulsing to be felt through the brake pedal.

Just a thought.