Warped car rotors?

[frop]

That is a ridiculous statement. If the front rotors are warped, turning them down (even if machineable) will generally result in them rewarping rather quickly. It does not take a mic to tell someone that, and a trained technician can generally glance at rotors and see if they are grooved or not. There is very little machineable distance on current GM rotors, light scarring is about all that you can get out. Just because someone does not mic a rotor does not mean they are trying to screw you... honest. I mic some rotors, the questionable ones, but for a lot of them its a waste of time.

Easy there. I get where you're coming from, I just feel that at 21k miles even w/ a kid driving, the rotors ought to be machineable. But hey, what do I know, I'm going for makin em faster, not fixing grandma's old wagon.


All the ABS systems I've had the misfortune to test have a very distinctive feedback in the pedal, and is easily distinguished from warped rotors.

[Lohman446]

Easy there. I get where you're coming from, I just feel that at 21k miles even w/ a kid driving, the rotors ought to be machineable. But hey, what do I know, I'm going for makin em faster, not fixing grandma's old wagon.


All the ABS systems I've had the misfortune to test have a very distinctive feedback in the pedal, and is easily distinguished from warped rotors.

I may overreact slightly. As a general rule my shop tries to provide a service to the community in a fair and honest manor. I think there are many many shops out there that are tying to do this, they are not trying to screw you. There are shady shops. Do I make good money at what I do? Yes. Could you do it much cheaper (both parts and labor) if you did it yourself? Yes. Am I honest and upfront with my customers about prices and charges, as well as the need for repairs? Yes.

Obviously there are those that are not, but the shop I manage now has been here for over 50 years, you don't do that by screwing customers - and I don't mic every rotor, there are a lot that are not miced at all.

And yes, any decent tech should be able to tell between rotor vibration and ABS feedback.

[WickeDKlowN]

[random abs/brake related story]
About a month ago it was raining and my friend was going to turn into the mall(he drives a 95 Mustang GT). I guess he hydroplaned and his ABS freaked out or locked up ot something and he ended up doing a 180 and jumping a median. Took a nice chunk out of one of his rims and bent the hell out of another.
[/random abs/brake related story]

[SlartyBartFast]

[random abs/brake related story]
About a month ago it was raining and my friend was going to turn into the mall(he drives a 95 Mustang GT). I guess he hydroplaned and his ABS freaked out or locked up ot something and he ended up doing a 180 and jumping a median. Took a nice chunk out of one of his rims and bent the hell out of another.
[/random abs/brake related story]

Not the ABS's fault.

Automatic systems can't compensate for bad drivers.

Define "freaked out ". If he was going fast enough to "hydoplane" he had no business being anywhere near a parking lot.

You need to know how to drive with an ABS system. Could very well be that he paniced, tryed to pump the brakes himself, and possibly over compensated in steering. ABS helps you keep the car straight. If you put it sideways, you're on your own.

In fact that's probably what happened. Instead of keeping steady pressure on the brakes while turning, they were released when the abs engaged. In that case, when the brakes are reapplied there isn't sufficient traction to turn and brake.

To maintain sufficient traction to do both, you MUST let the ABS do its job. Solid constant pressure on the pedal while turning.

But even then ABS can't perform miracles if you're simply going too fast for the conditions.

[frop]

[random abs/brake related story]
About a month ago it was raining and my friend was going to turn into the mall(he drives a 95 Mustang GT). I guess he hydroplaned and his ABS freaked out or locked up ot something and he ended up doing a 180 and jumping a median. Took a nice chunk out of one of his rims and bent the hell out of another.
[/random abs/brake related story]

My gut feeling is that had little to do w/ ABS. There isn't enough details for me to comfortably say what the cause was.

[frop]

But even then ABS can't perform miracles if you're simply going too fast for the conditions.

Ssshhhhhh! Don't tell them! Soccer moms all over America will be so disappointed when they find out that ABS & 4WD doesn't make them invincible in their SUVs.

[Lohman446]

[random abs/brake related story]
About a month ago it was raining and my friend was going to turn into the mall(he drives a 95 Mustang GT). I guess he hydroplaned and his ABS freaked out or locked up ot something and he ended up doing a 180 and jumping a median. Took a nice chunk out of one of his rims and bent the hell out of another.
[/random abs/brake related story]

I highlighted the contributing factors Add to that tires (maybe) and poor driver input and you have the likely cause.

[frop]

I highlighted the contributing factors Add to that tires (maybe) and poor driver input and you have the likely cause.

Well, duh, it's never the driver's fault, it's always the car that messed up.

[SlartyBartFast]

Ssshhhhhh! Don't tell them! Soccer moms all over America will be so disappointed when they find out that ABS & 4WD doesn't make them invincible in their SUVs.

I've exhausted myself trying to explain to idjits that while 4x4's might be able to ACCELERATE better than 2 wheel drive, you're just as helpless as everyone else when it comes to stopping.

But, I have great joy laughing at the 4x4s off the road in winter storms that previously shot past me.

[WickeDKlowN]

I highlighted the contributing factors Add to that tires (maybe) and poor driver input and you have the likely cause.

You're probobly right.

That's just how I remember the story, his driving probobly was to blame, but I remember him saying the abs didn't work and the tires just locked up or something.

[frop]

I've exhausted myself trying to explain to idjits that while 4x4's might be able to ACCELERATE better than 2 wheel drive, you're just as helpless as everyone else when it comes to stopping.

But, I have great joy laughing at the 4x4s off the road in winter storms that previously shot past me.

Don't tell them their open diff 4WDs are really 2WD/1WD either

[MadPSIence]

I just do my own work.. you guys should learn to as well. In the end you save a lot of money and avoid problems.

Do your own oil changes... you save a lot. It's easy.. you just need a set of wrenches.. 15-21mm and an oil pan. Always pre-lube the ring of a new oil filter. Doing your own oil will make sure you always have the correct amount of oil in, your drain cap is tightened properaly, and your oil filter is tight an not leaking.

Do your own tire rotations .. if you buy a car take it home and re-torque them all. All you need is a torque wrench and a jack (tire iron too, duh). This way you know they have the proper torque on them.

People are just so effin lazy though. If people had some motivation or desire to do something themselves they'd see how rewarding it is.

I've worked at 2 tire-shops. 1 being at a wal-mart. They do NOT always properly install wheels and they are anal about it here. So I imagine in the USA the standards are even lower for wal-mart. So I'll stress IF YOU DON'T DO YOUR OWN WORK.. WATCH THE PERSON WHO IS DOING IT. WAL-MART AND EXPRESS SHOPS OFTEN INSTALL ALLOY WHEELS IMPROPERLY

That's my 2 cents for the day.

Oh.. your brakes? Don't go OEM to replace.. there's aftermarket that will cost less and work better. Wilwood = yum.

[PyRo]

Do your own oil changes... you save a lot. It's easy.. you just need a set of wrenches.. 15-21mm and an oil pan

Then why is my car 9/16 and my jeep 1/2in?
An oil filter wrench is nice to have as well although if you want to save $6 and its stuck punch a screwdriver through it.

[thecavemankevin]

But, I have great joy laughing at the 4x4s off the road in winter storms that previously shot past me.

me too, i love it

[bofh]

Then why is my car 9/16 and my jeep 1/2in?
An oil filter wrench is nice to have as well although if you want to save $6 and its stuck punch a screwdriver through it.

I just want to clarify for everyone else....

when putting on a new filter, it's hand tightening. No punching with a screwdriver :0