Drilled and slotted rotors

MacKiNBacK · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-07, 04:05 AM

Does any one have any favorite drilled/slotted rotors? These OEM ones I keep getting are crap! Keep getting warped and figure I need to try something different. I did a quick search on ebay and found R1 concepts and quickly glanced at what they had and only saw 05+ STS setups. But im kind of looking for the zinc plated ones because their supposed to keep the rust off the inner part of the rotor. Also do you have to use pads designed for drilled/slotted?

Thanks,
MacK

EDBSO · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-07, 12:00 PM

You will find some thoughts here. (Your choice ... which pads do you like?)

msta293412 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-07, 10:02 AM

Hey there, I have a 2001 STS, and I have the R1 concept rotors with the zinc coating, only paid about $200 and change shipped. I used stock brake pads and the set up works GREAT!

MacKiNBacK · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-07, 03:14 PM

Not too many thoughts other than pads in that link. With the R1 concept rotors you havent had any warped issues?

MacK

HiTechOilCo · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacKiNBacK

Does any one have any favorite drilled/slotted rotors? These OEM ones I keep getting are crap! Keep getting warped and figure I need to try something different. I did a quick search on ebay and found R1 concepts and quickly glanced at what they had and only saw 05+ STS setups. But im kind of looking for the zinc plated ones because their supposed to keep the rust off the inner part of the rotor. Also do you have to use pads designed for drilled/slotted?

Thanks,
MacK

>>>

Hello Mack.

I hve been in the auto repair business for twenty years plus and drilled/slotted brake rotors were originally designed for race cars where the brake rotors are replaced fairly frequently. A drilled brake rotor can develop cracks in the metal and actually fail, with disastrous results.

I would not recommend this route at all.

Raybestos makes some pretty good quality brake parts.

Steve

chazglenn3 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 10:10 AM

Not to mention how fast the slotted rotors eat brake pads.

chazglenn3 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacKiNBacK

Does any one have any favorite drilled/slotted rotors? These OEM ones I keep getting are crap! Keep getting warped and figure I need to try something different. I did a quick search on ebay and found R1 concepts and quickly glanced at what they had and only saw 05+ STS setups. But im kind of looking for the zinc plated ones because their supposed to keep the rust off the inner part of the rotor. Also do you have to use pads designed for drilled/slotted?

Thanks,
MacK

When you say "OEM ones" you must not be talking about genuine GM parts, but stock replacement rotors from Autozone or some such place. If you want good rotors that won't warp, get real OEM rotors from Rock Auto or Gmotors.

MacKiNBacK · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 01:15 PM

Hmm interesting.. Im almost positive that my Goodyear that I go to uses AC-Delco.. So those would be OEM right? Im very interested in zinc plated rotors so I dont have to see that nasty rust buildup.

MacK

chulman · #9 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 06:53 PM

I purchased AC Delo's Drilled and slotted rotors (fronts) and semi-metallic pads from Rock Auto. They stop awesome, but they are extremely extremely dusty. Also, right before the car comes to full stop, it makes annoying hiqh squeak. My mechanic (who did the install) told me that he only seen drilled rotors on hot rods and people who go racings. When my rotors need to be replaced, I will get a normal one for half the price. Happy shopping!

chazglenn3 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 07:08 PM

The "extremely, extremely dusty" part is why I will not used slotted rotors. They cut the pads to pieces. Then as mentioned above, the drilled holes are prone to cracking. If you are not racing, the negatives outweigh the positives on drilled/slotted rotors. In fact, the only positive I see is the zinc plating, but you can probably find that on an OEM style rotor.

MacKiNBacK · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 09:22 PM

Well Ill have to check around for OEM/zinc plated.. Though I want something better than OEM. The only reason I wanted drilled/slotted is because of the look. Ill see what I come up with. Thanks for the input.

MacK

Raze · #12 (**permalink**) 04-23-07, 10:31 PM

I used to have OEMs, then "upgraded" to premium ACDelco parts with raybestos pads, I have to say that I was not impressed with either combo, I recently put R1 Concepts on after finding a 'chunk' of one of the front rotors missing causing massive vibration. I coupled them with Axxis Metal Masters as my friends all run Axxis Ultimate ceramics and love them. I have to say that these pads are a HUGE step up in stopping power, the only downside which I have documented is that they need to warm up so the first stop is 'squishy' but after that they're much more responsive. My R1 rotors have seen 2500 miles of heavy braking so far and I had the wheels off the other weekend and noticed the origional machine marks are still in place (after wearing off the Zinc and bedding in the pads!). There are 2 'issues' which may or may not be issues to you depending. The first is the drilled and slotted rotors do produce more brake dust but its only noticeable if you never wash your car, I personally wash mine at least once a month or more so my wheels are always clean. Two, they make a chattering sound as the slots pass over the brakepads but you can only hear it with the windows down.

Just do what you like so long as you can afford it, realize that more brake dust means more pad wear, I personally don't care if I have to change my pads every 20,000 miles because I do the work myself, if you don't then it may not be worth it...

HiTechOilCo · #13 (**permalink**) 04-25-07, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacKiNBacK

Hmm interesting.. Im almost positive that my Goodyear that I go to uses AC-Delco.. So those would be OEM right? Im very interested in zinc plated rotors so I dont have to see that nasty rust buildup.

MacK

>>

Hi Mack. Any indepedendent auto center, be it Goodyear, Firestone, or wherever, will generally get their parts from a supplier that provides them the best mark-up. Generally, this points to low cost parts warehouses and in your case, to brake rotors that are lower quality, warp if you look at them, made in China brake rotors. If you get quality AC-Delco brake rotors from a Cadillac/GM dealership you should not have warpage/pulsating brake pedal issues.

Do park your car for long periods of time? I ask because you mention rust build up. If you are not parking your car for long periods of time, the extremely mild rust that occurs is not an issue. But, again, cheap brake rotors may have been installed on your car and they may very well be more likely to rust than quailty AC/Delco brake rotors. To discover exactly what kind of brake rotors were instlled on your car, you are going to have to ask the auto center that installed them. If they are warped and causing brake pulsation, you have a warranty claim.

I have known many indepependent auto centers, (like Goodyear), to use cheap, made in China brake rotors because they get a huge mark-up with them. Yes, they could get the same mark-up with the better quality brake rotors, but then when they quote the high price to the customer, said customer has a coronary, bursts out a few expletives and quickly leaves. Hence, most independent auto centers use the cheaper grade of parts so as not to lose business.

Steve
CEO of Hi-Tech Oil Co.
1999 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
20+ years in the auto repair/maintenance business

codewize · #14 (**permalink**) 04-25-07, 09:06 PM

So we're feeling like R1 Concepts zinc plated solid / vented rotors are the way to go. Slotted wears pads and drilled is prone to cracking.

Is that correct? Other than excessive pad wear, do we feel like slotted rotors provide any better stopping power?

EDBSO · #15 (**permalink**) 04-25-07, 09:13 PM

•
Patented RotorLife wear indicator.
•
Helps technicians and vehicle owners gauge rotor thickness at a glance, and notice when they are due for replacement.
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