Is rotor warping a big issue?

chris d · Postby **chris d** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:31 pm

My 18 month old 'RDA' rotors have warped.
Took them to the brake specialists and was told that if I drive the Putty Rd the way I described then I would probably warp whatever rotor I had.
I'm sure I don't drive as hard as some.
I have a '93 Clubman with 14" standard wheels.
Any suggestions for a rotor which won't warp?
Thanks
Chris

CT · Postby CT » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:23 pm

That's BS from your brake guy. I would not purchase anything but DBA discs for my MX5. Why are they warping...is the piston not fully retracting causing a heat buildup, does it need a rebuild - or are the brake pads wildly out of spec (highly unlikely). Maybe the rotors are not high enough in iron to resist heat and they aren't made to similar specs as DBA rotors for example. I have only two reasons for my recommendation:

1. I use them on the race car and there is no warpage issues whatsoever. Never have asd never expect to see warpage on a DBA rotor. I use stock rotors.

2. They sponsor me. BUT, I would use their rotors regardless (shhh, don't tell them I said that). Some of us have toured their facility at Silverwater and have seen their quality checks first hand. I reckon when the local product is better and well priced, we should use it. Plus, I did some development work for them on the NB8B 275mm rotors and was pretty impressed with how they go about it. Needless to say we can buy 4000 series rotors for the 275mm rotor'ed cars now.

Actually that's a few more reasons but you'll get my drift.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:56 pm

Brake warping can also happen if they get a tad toasty and you leave your foot on the brake for a while whilst stopped. We get told at every Wakefield Park session to just leave the car in gear and not apply the handbrake or sit on the brakes after racing. Been there and done a set of rotors myself this way.

chris d · Postby **chris d** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:05 pm

Thanks for your replies.
They told me that these rotors are also made by 'dba'.
They suggested I try the 'Kangaroo' dba's if I want to upgrade. Any experience with these?
Chris

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:57 pm

Interesting article posted on the RealBig list a week or so ago.

"Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking

Daz · Postby **Daz** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:57 pm

I have the DBA4000 slotted rotors with the kangaroo paw 'feature'. They are the ducks nuts. They have seen plenty of supersprint action and take it really well... the SP really hurts brakes too, since it is heavier and has more power than most 5's.

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:09 pm

Washing the car right after driving can cause warping by cooling only part of the rotor while the caliper keeps part of it hot. This happened a few times on my Pug until I realised whatg I was doing. :oops:

chris d · Postby **chris d** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:54 pm

Okibi wrote:Interesting article posted on the RealBig list a week or so ago.

"Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking

Interesting indeed.
The strange thing for me was that when it first occurred (the steering vibration), it was very bad. Now, sometimes it is bad and mostly not so bad! A warped disc should always feel bad, shouldn't it? Maybe he's right!!
I think I'll have to study this article some more.
Chris

CT · Postby CT » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:06 pm

RDA = Chinese made. DBA = Australian made. They are not the same rotors or the same company.

kula · Postby **kula** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:26 pm

AFAIK DBA is an australian company who makes their product OS.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:43 pm

They produce some of their products in Sydney to be exported O/S.

Slammer kindly organised an informative tech night tour through their Sydney factory for us a few years ago.

chris d · Postby **chris d** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:06 pm

CT wrote:RDA = Chinese made. DBA = Australian made. They are not the same rotors or the same company.

Just looked them up at

http://www.rdabrakes.com.au/about.htm

They appear to be Australian.
RDA=Rotors and Drums Australia. DBA=Disc Brakes Australia
There appears to be no association with DBA.

Chris

chris d · Postby **chris d** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:20 pm

kula wrote:AFAIK DBA is an australian company who makes their product OS.

According to DBA, they manufacture in Silverwater, NSW.

http://www.dba.com.au/profile.asp

Chris

rain902 · Postby **rain902** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:02 pm

i have been rummaging around for a link that i saw here somewhere - someone sells dba rotors etc via their website in aus - cant find it anywhere...

anyone know the one I am thinking of???

smiles · Postby **smiles** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:19 pm

rain902 wrote:i have been rummaging around for a link that i saw here somewhere - someone sells dba rotors etc via their website in aus - cant find it anywhere...

anyone know the one I am thinking of???

I know of http://www.discpads.com.au that sell dba rotors but seriously don't know if they're still in business, last time I tried to get in touch I got no reply (emails & phone).

Also try http://www.vsport.com.au run by Steve who used to work for dba and he's awesome for advice.

Or Trevor at http://www.brakedistributors.com.au