FAQ: Vibration under braking: warped rotors? NO!

[GT2inSeattle]

Thanks for this post! OP might have saved me 1000+ bucks on a rotor replacement. One question: I got rid of the Kia pads in 2020 and replaced them with Kia Stinger 3.3T - Stoptech Performance - Front & Rear Street Ceramic Brake Pads

I only noticed the vibration while breaking within the last few months.. can the stoptech pads also cause this issue? I'd rather not replace the rotors if it isn't needed yet.

thanks.

 

[cLaw]

So I had vibration, replaced the pads all around with ebc red stuff and there is still vibration. What is my next step?

 

[D.J.]

So I had vibration, replaced the pads all around with ebc red stuff and there is still vibration. What is my next step?

Resurface , or replace the rotors.

If you can resurface on car - that GUARANTEES 0 runout.

Cheers

 

[Ron]

Do what I did. I got four brand new rotors and four brand new brake pads and it’s now as smooth as a babies tush… The original rotors and pads are inferior for a car of that quality

 

[stoopid]

So I had vibration, replaced the pads all around with ebc red stuff and there is still vibration. What is my next step?

You can resurface as suggested or perform the bedding process a couple times (follow EBC's instructions closely). If there's heavy deposits on the rotors it might require some extra 'scrubbing' using the new pads on heated rotors to pull the deposits away fully. Depending on how you drive and/or the conditions the rotors have faced, they could be warped and need replacement. Bedding is cheap since it only costs a little bit of time to try.

I noticed vibration mostly at higher speeds when diagnosing the issue was only deposits on the rotors. If you're noticing vibration when braking even at lower speeds (say under 30MPH) and when cool (not downhill/braking frequently), the rotors are more likely warped.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I noticed vibration mostly at higher speeds when diagnosing the issue was only deposits on the rotors. If you're noticing vibration when braking even at lower speeds (say under 30MPH) and when cool (not downhill/braking frequently), the rotors are more likely warped.

Not actually. The rotor is not warped, it is wearing unevenly. Maybe that's an unimportant distinction, since you have to resurface the rotor to cure the problem by starting over.

by the way, the Carroll Smith article link in the OP is broken. Here is another link to it. Myths of the Braking System | Brakes-shop.com

 

[Ron]

I know everybody’s advice is well meant I know everybody’s advice is good d yet. It’s very time-consuming. If you wanna keep it simple rotors new pads and you are done.

 

[stoopid]

I know everybody’s advice is well meant I know everybody’s advice is good d yet. It’s very time-consuming. If you wanna keep it simple rotors new pads and you are done.

He's already done the pads, so he'd have to pull things apart (plus spend hundreds) to swap new rotors. Bedding took me less than 15 minutes, a good mechanic can't swap a single rotor in less time let alone 4. If starting from scratch and money isn't an issue, yes just replacing everything would be ideal. That's isn't the exact situation being discussed here nor does everyone want to spend money they don't necessarily have to.

 

[stoopid]

Not actually. The rotor is not warped, it is wearing unevenly. Maybe that's an unimportant distinction, since you have to resurface the rotor to cure the problem by starting over.

by the way, the Carroll Smith article link in the OP is broken. Here is another link to it. Myths of the Braking System | Brakes-shop.com

You're assuming the rotor isn't warped. It might be. It's a common issue, especially where there's hills and rain (downhill braking plus moisture coming into contact with the hot rotor especially). The thread is about deposits, but a majority of rotor issues is warping. Resurfacing can be a solution to warping, but at the cost to resurface IMHO it's just better to put on new, quality rotors. If you can get the rotors surfaced real cheap (I'm not aware of any cheap means of doing this) then of course reuse/repair what you already have. The cost is the issue.

 

[Ron]

I agree but but you have to put a price on your time and if a good individual shop does the job you have someone to fall back on if it’s not perfect.
Just saying.

 

[Volfy]

The original rotors and pads are inferior for a car of that quality

OEM pads? I agree. OEM rotors are made by Brembo of excellent quality. We do track days on OEM rotors with zero problems.

 

[Ron]

Thank you… I’m just sharing my experiences with the forum

 

[cLaw]

You can resurface as suggested or perform the bedding process a couple times (follow EBC's instructions closely). If there's heavy deposits on the rotors it might require some extra 'scrubbing' using the new pads on heated rotors to pull the deposits away fully. Depending on how you drive and/or the conditions the rotors have faced, they could be warped and need replacement. Bedding is cheap since it only costs a little bit of time to try.

I noticed vibration mostly at higher speeds when diagnosing the issue was only deposits on the rotors. If you're noticing vibration when braking even at lower speeds (say under 30MPH) and when cool (not downhill/braking frequently), the rotors are more likely warped.

No, only higher speeds. Never vibration after starting the car fresh or daily driving. Maybe after 10-15 min of highway driving I start to feel the vibration creep in

 

[Kiteflygolfdrive]

Driving home the other day I realized I needed to work on my brakes. After reading much of this thread I decided to replace the rotors and pads. With so many folks going back and forth with KIA multipile times I decided I didn't want to deal with the dealer. I decided on R1 concepts. I used their website link to the amazon page. I ordered the front and rear rotors. Thus far I've only received the rear set. The only description of the rotors on each box is a sticker on the side which states Disc Brake Rotors 604-21039, replaces 125.50041, UPC 190920542657. I searched the web for 604-21039 and it comes up with

Dynamic Friction 604-21039 - Rear Geospec Coated Smooth Brake Rotor for 2022 Kia Stinger GT2​

Dynamic Friction 604-21039 - Geospec Coated Smooth Brake Rotor

DFC GEOSPEC Coated Rotor - Blank

www.buybrakes.com

On the R1concepts site it lists the following part number WDPN2-21015. But the Dynamic site doesn't mention this part number. Did I get what I ordered? I haven't been able to determine I I actually received what I thought I was ordering. I didn't realize R1 is a Dynamic brake rotor.

 

[G-771441]

Smart move! the only way to get smooth and reliable braking is to totally replace the rotors and the pads. The originals are so bad and what makes it worse is that Kia doesn't get it what everyone is complaining about. The original rotors and pads suck.

 

[Ron]

Smart move changing all rotors and pads.
Original ones are inferior.

 

[Skibum]

Hey y’all,
Just wanted to share my experiences here. When I started getting the vibration under braking I installed the EBC Redstuff pads with stock rotors (about 15k miles) and the vibration went away. Redstuff did not recommend a bed procedure and to just drive normal. I’m now at 28k and vibration came back. Instead of changing everything again, I decided to do a formal bed procedure and the vibration is gone. Having said all this, I do a lot of highway driving and try not to tailgate and slam on brakes (more downshifting) and hence my brakes get baby’d. Since I starting making my brakes work more, I don’t get the vibrations. Hope my input helps others.

 

[Ron]

Thanks for this post! OP might have saved me 1000+ bucks on a rotor replacement. One question: I got rid of the Kia pads in 2020 and replaced them with Kia Stinger 3.3T - Stoptech Performance - Front & Rear Street Ceramic Brake Pads

I only noticed the vibration while breaking within the last few months.. can the stoptech pads also cause this issue? I'd rather not replace the rotors if it isn't needed yet.

thanks.

The only way you are going to eliminate the shuddering brake problem is by replacing all 4 rotors and all the pads.
I have continually repeated this comment and yet every one has a different opinion.
This is my 3rd Stinger GT2AWD and had to do it on all of them.

 

[Blueangel]

The only way you are going to eliminate the shuddering brake problem is by replacing all 4 rotors and all the pads.
I have continually repeated this comment and yet every one has a different opinion.
This is my 3rd Stinger GT2AWD and had to do it on all of them.

I concur

 

[Volfy]

The only way you are going to eliminate the shuddering brake problem is by replacing all 4 rotors and all the pads.
I have continually repeated this comment and yet every one has a different opinion.
This is my 3rd Stinger GT2AWD and had to do it on all of them.

The reason not everybody agrees with you is because not everyone needed to change both pads and rotors. I've had zero problems with OEM rotors across our 3 Stingers/G70. And we put ours through their proper paces.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the OEM rotors, made by Brembo. OEM pads are the culprit.