Rotor Troubles

[retro]

Hi,

This is my first post although I've been around for a while. I've done a search on this topic previously but thought I would add my own troubles.

My p5 is a 2002. It has 23000km's on it. A few months ago I took it in because of a seized caliper and they did some servicing. I pointed out the rotors but they said they were ok. Since then everything has gotten worse. The rotors on both the front wheels look like, and feel like, krap. I don't brake hard, the car is standard.

I'm trying to get this fixed under warranty but they aren't too cooperative. This is really starting to get to me as I feel there is no way there should be this sort of wear on a 23000km car.

Any opinions? I've attached a picture of one of the rotors.

Btw... they put the wheels back on so tight I couldn't budge them with the tire iron and an extension! Needless to say I'm not impressed.

Thanks for any help! Other than this problem I love the car!!

 

[Steve89GTA]

Wow, I thought mine looked like s***. It must be that they've supplied us with crap equipment from the get-go. Even when my protege had around 8,000kms I could see the rotors deteriorating.
Now at just over 30,000kms, my brakes pulse a little but braking is still very good.

 

[Cadmonkey]

There is definately something wrong here. My advice would be to go to any mechanic that you know and have them write up a statement that the rotors are, obviously, bad. Take that to the pice of s*** dealership you're dealing with and see what they say. If they still don't do anything, take it up with Mazda Corporate. There is just no excuse for that. A 4 yr old can tell that there is something wrong with your breaks. As for putting the wheels on too tight. Just go to that mechanic and have him put an impact wrench to the lugs. Then do the tightning yourself. Then beat the crap outta the fool that put the tires on before.

 

[ARD MP5]

We've got replacements for ya, aftermarket slotted ecoated to prevent corrosion like that. Black painted hats too. I don't believe they will warranty brakes. Would be nice though. Must be a lot of snow and salt up there.

Rishie

 

[Enthusiast]

Sorry to hear about your brake trouble. What you see on the braking surface may not all be rust. It looks like rust but it can also be what is known as a 'glazed' rotor. This can happen several ways and will definitely affect the brake performance. If your caliber is seized one of the pads could easily have been touching the rotor thereby getting hot and deposit brake pad material. It can also happen if you ride the brake. By that I mean you brake easy but longer, this will cause the rotors to get real hot. If you've ever done any track events either lapping or real racing you'll know the problem.

You can solve the problem by either having the rotors turned or by taking some emerald paper and then sand each side of the rotors brake surface. Using circular motion. I'd check the pads too for any glazing. If they are real shiny you have the answer to the problem.

Most common mistake with new brake pads is not to bed them in. Drive 60+ mh or 100'ish km/hour and then apply the brakes hard. Get down to about 20 mph and then repeat. Do this around 3-4 times and you should be golden.
What this does is to bake the pads a bit so any gasses in them are burned off.

Since one of your calibers was seized I'd bleed the brakes too. This will give fresh fluid to the caliber and any over heating effect on the brake fluid will be removed. Of course this isn't needed if they replaced the caliber, which I doubt.

Hope this helps.

 

[grishulia]

Send a complaint to Office of Defects Investigation

 

[retro]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm going to keep at the dealer although they seem pretty incompetent. I still believe it is a warranty issue but from my past experience I'm not too sure they are going to act. If they don't I will sure let the appropriate people know. Sometimes the noise from the calipers is so bad its embarrassing to drive the car... this is just ridiculous for a relatively new car.

Thanks enthusiast for the info. Didn't know that about bedding them in. I'll do that.

 

[ottawaP5]

retro,

I know of a guy at my work who got his calipers changed under warranty because they were seized. He has a 2002 as well.

 

[*SpLiT*]

hey man be carefull with that, if the nutz are on too tight it can sometimes warm the rotor, be careful!

 

[Enthusiast]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm going to keep at the dealer although they seem pretty incompetent. I still believe it is a warranty issue but from my past experience I'm not too sure they are going to act. If they don't I will sure let the appropriate people know. Sometimes the noise from the calipers is so bad its embarrassing to drive the car... this is just ridiculous for a relatively new car.

Thanks enthusiast for the info. Didn't know that about bedding them in. I'll do that.

You mentioned 'noice from the calipers' ? Could you be a bit more specific ?

Like is the noice there all the time ?
Only when applying force with the brake pedal ?
In straight line or when you turn ?

My immediate guess would be that the pads are trying to scuff off the rust/pads material on the rotor. If you do a couple of the 60-20 mph brake tests I mentioned earlier then it should go away. Rember that the caliper now may work as intended so it will clamp the rotor and the rust will be scuffed off. Before it was hung/stuck and didn't why the rotor may have rusted.

Most cars can have brake noice if the car has just been washed and put away with wet brakes. This noice should disappear after a few good stops. Don't be afraid of using them You can use the emergency lane on the highway for your 'test', make sure no one is behind you.

Some extra brake tests would be to jack up a corner of the car and then have a friend step on the brake pedal while you try to turn the wheel. Quick way to see if the caliper still is 'hung' (has to be a bad caliper though).

It could also be the emergency brake that is dragging. Check if it's releasing completely.

Brakes are quite easy to maintain and service, and since they are an important safety feature on our cars I'd have them checked out by a professional if you don't feel comfortable. A good mechanic can explain it in 'human' terms so see if you can talk with the mechanic and not the 'supervisor'.

"More gas, less brakes - Fagio (F1 driver)"

 

[*SpLiT*]

noice = noise?

 

[retro]

The noise gradually comes after driving for about 10 minutes. It's squeeking and it gets very loud after a while. It is worse in right turns, and it is coming mostly from the front right wheel. When the breaks are applied it goes away. It sounds like the wear indicators rubbing but that doesn't make sense really to me.

I will try a couple of those break tests and see what happens. I don't think the emergency break is sticking as it is a front end problem I'm pretty sure. The rotors in the back aren't bad really.

I'm going to take it in next week and demand that they fix it as it is just getting ridiculous.

When I took the car in for an oil change the guy leading me into the bay looked like he was in pain from the terribly loud squeeking noise.

Thanks again,

 

[talon4x4]

Good luck with the brakes. Mine look exactly like that, and pulse like you wouldn't believe when I brake and I only have 20k on the odometer.

Took it to the dealer and they said "sorry, no warrant on the brakes." Basically he said they don't know what kind of driver I am and plus the winters up here are harsh on cars.

 

[Joe PR5]

The 10min noise..... I had that also on one rear brake.. its from your caliper sticking, your bads may be worn down so much that it is stuck out.. if you dont knowhow to work on you brakes bring it to the dealer asap.. Im like 98% sure thats what it is,,after u drive for a while,stop and put your hand on that rim, then the others, the sticking rim should be ALOT hotter than the other 3..good luck. let me know if you need more info .

 

[PA_MP3_Man]

huh,

I just took my MP3 to the dealership last friday. My front was pulsating very badly under heavy braking and when you would come to a complete stop you could hear a clicking like sound as the tire rotated slower and slower. I took it in to the dealer fully expecting to pay for new rotors since I didn't think they were covered under warranty. But they just Machined them and said that it was covered under my warranty and I didn't have to pay a dime. I like my dealership. Ask your's to cut your rotors. Couldn't hurt.

 

[retro]

I'm going to take it in for service tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[retro]

I just got my car back from the service dept. at the dealership.

They replaced all four rotors and brake pads and serviced the calipers as per a bulletin (don't have the sheet in front of me) under warranty.

Needless to say I am impressed with the service, even surprised. They called and said my car was ready and I was all ready to get into an argument about the warranty until they said they replaced everything...

I'm happy, and wow, what a difference... people don't cover their ears anymore when I drive by.

For anyone in Ottawa I was dealing with Carling Motors.