The better the metallurgy in the rotor, the better it will perform on the vehicle. Economy rotors are typically made from the cheapest scrap iron. Quality can be very inconsistent from batch to batch and even from one rotor to the next. This can create hard spots that lead to warping and pedal pulsation problems later on as the rotors wear.
Rotors that are too soft may wear quickly, while rotors that are too hard may increase pad wear or be noisy. Poor-quality castings that lack the proper hardness and strength are also more likely to warp or crack at high temperature. An economy rotor may appear to be nearly identical to a premium-quality rotor, but the metallurgy is often far different. There are many different grades of cast iron, and some make much better brake rotors than others.
The caliper is an assembly mounted to the vehicle with a bracket so it frames the rotor. It looks and functions like a c-clamp. It contains:. When you step on the brakes, pressurized brake fluid pushes against the pistons inside the caliper, forcing the brake pads against the rotor. Rotors can either be solid or vented. Vented ones have more surface area and can more easily dissipate heat. There are two types of disc brakes, named after the type of brake caliper used: floating and fixed.
A floating caliper also called sliding is the most common type. It has one or two pistons. When the brakes are applied, the inner brake pad is forced against the disc while, at the same time, the caliper body moves closer to the rotor. This action forces the outer brake pad against the rotor. The fixed caliper design has one or more pistons mounted on each side of the rotor.
When the brakes are applied, only the caliper pistons move, pressing the brake pads against the disc. When they are used it is only on the rear axle. Instead of a caliper that clamps brake pads against a rotor, a drum brake system has a wheel cylinder with pistons that push brake shoes out against the inside of a spinning drum. This contact slows and stops the rotation of the brake drum and the wheel. Although they both operate with the same basic hydraulics, the two types of brakes perform differently.
Disc brakes are more efficient, provide better stopping power, dissipate heat easier and work better in wet conditions, all while being less complex. Some base models have disc on the front axle and drum on the rear, to keep costs down.
In these models, why are disc put on the front and drum on the rear? A typical, unloaded vehicle is already about 10 percent heavier in front due to the engine.
Then when you hit the brakes, the weight of the car transfers to the front. More braking power is needed there, making it a job for disc brakes. Stopping power. Disc brakes apply more braking force faster, resulting in shorter stopping distances. Heat management. Since they are exposed to air, disc brakes cool better. In fact, there are four different types to choose from, so before replacing your vehicle's rotors, make sure you're choosing the right one for your needs.
The four different rotor types are:. Luckily, choosing the right rotor for your vehicle is as simple as viewing the existing rotors on your vehicle. Another thing to keep in mind when replacing your vehicle's rotors is that the rotors on your family sedan probably won't work on your pickup truck, and vice versa.
Now, let's take a look at the different rotors, what they look like, and their respective applications. As stated above, blank and smooth rotors are what you'll commonly find on most new passenger vehicles.
Keep in mind that oe-specific rotors have a basic and premium option, and it all has to do with how they're manufactured. Unless you're a super aggressive driver or you're driving a luxury vehicle, blank rotors are a great choice for your vehicle.
Basic oe-specific rotors are traditionally made from recycled steel and a lot of times don't perform as well as your original equipment manufacturer OEM rotors due to thicker internal fins, which in turn impact the cooling abilities of your rotors. If you're going to use premium ceramic brake pads with your new rotors, don't pair them with a basic set of rotors.
Basic rotors will also end up reducing the life of your new pads, as they'll wear down quicker due to the increased heat. As the name suggests, drilled rotors have holes drilled throughout the surface. Probably the most common type of disc fitted to modern cars. These allow heat to escape, preventing the disc from getting too hot and cracking, while also increasing the life of the pads. Originally featuring straight channels, ventilated discs have evolved through the years to improve airflow.
When a brake pad is put to heavy use, it releases gases and particles, forming a layer that prevents the pad from touching the disc as effectively - this is otherwise known as brake fade. Holes can be drilled through the disc to give the gas somewhere to escape while also reducing weight of the part, but in the process, the rotor is compromised.
Plus, those holes can become stress points, potentially leading to cracking during heavy braking. Plus, they can be manufactured strong enough to make fracturing a rare occurrence. This slotted design attempts to answer the same question in a different way. Slots or grooves in the surface of the disc allow gases to escape, and there are additional benefits.
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