FAQ: Vibration under braking: warped rotors? NO!

[StingertimeNC]

My 2016 GTI had pulsating brakes within 10k or so miles. never knew anything about bedding process. I replaced them with Stoptech rotors and EBC redstuff pads, within 10 miles of easy driving, I went out and did the bedding in process. Brakes have performed flawlessly for 35k miles now with some pretty heavy use. Unfortunately I'll never know if they are doing well because they are better quality than OEM, or the bedding process was completed early on, or both. Not saying anybody is right or wrong in doing or not doing it, just mentioning my experience. I've had pulsating brakes in almost every car I have owned. Mazda, Infiniti, VW, Acura, Toyota, Honda. GTI is running flawlessly now. Stinger seems to be doing well with the hawk pads as well. One notable exception has been our 2016 Kia Sorento. 70k miles and just replaced the front pads. Never had a single issue with pulsating brakes. I did however do the bedding process with the new pads and they are doing well also. Whether it's necessary or not, I'll be bedding in from now on.

 

[Ron]

Ladies & Gentlemen,
This column about the brakes shuddering and vibrating has been going on since the very first Stinger in 2018.
There have been over 20 suggestions on how to fix this problem from our members.
Dont you think its time enough already for KIA TO FIGURE IT OUT AND PERMANITLY FIX IT?
They know all about this problem.

 

[RogueIV]

They should but they won't and there's not really much we can do here about that. As has been stated before, it's not all the cars that exhibit it either. I'm 16k in now and still haven't had this issue.

What we can do is fix the problem, fairly cheaply, ourselves.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Just get aftermarket pads and rotors that are NOT from Kia or use the Euro-spec. That's it.

Like Ron and RogueIV and many others have said Kia (plus some people on this forum who refuse to accept that there might be something wrong with their "perfect" Stinger) refuses to acknowledge the problem and fix it.

lol my goodness

 

[HDTurbo]

There should be a poll/spreadsheet as to who has had this issue, or not, at what mileage, the owners age, and the exact parts that resolved it. I ain’t gonna start it because I have had no issue with the brakes and am on record with how I treat the braking system and that I have dealt with pad build up on other cars. And has it been established that only the calipers are Brembo? Seems like a perpetual lack of consensus on what are only three basic elements. This can’t be rocket surgery.

 

[D.J.]

There should be a poll/spreadsheet as to who has had this issue, or not, at what mileage, the owners age, and the exact parts that resolved it. I ain’t gonna start it because I have had no issue with the brakes and am on record with how I treat the braking system and that I have dealt with pad build up on other cars. And has it been established that only the calipers are Brembo? Seems like a perpetual lack of consensus on what are only three basic elements. This can’t be rocket surgery.

So much misinformation, I feel your pain. Not sure where it all comes from.

Calipers = Brembo
Pads = Brembo
Rotors = Brembo

Only the pads seem to really suck. But everyone has their own opinion. The OEM rotors work fine for me with aftermarket pads.


Rotor details

Stinger Brembo Rotors Tech Tidbit

I was doing a little research and found a little info on the Brembo rotors that Kia is using on the front and rear of the Stinger GT models. These rotors incorporate Brembos “PVT Vented Disc” design. Basically, the cooling vanes molded into the rotors have a special unique design that...

stingerforum.org

 

[jthrelf]

There should be a poll/spreadsheet as to who has had this issue, or not, at what mileage, the owners age, and the exact parts that resolved it. I ain’t gonna start it because I have had no issue with the brakes and am on record with how I treat the braking system and that I have dealt with pad build up on other cars. And has it been established that only the calipers are Brembo? Seems like a perpetual lack of consensus on what are only three basic elements. This can’t be rocket surgery.

Not quite all those details, but I tried this a few months back.... feel free to bump the thread for more data:

Poll: Have you experienced brake issues with stock pads?

By now we've read through the brake vibration FAQ and the 'warped rotor' threads for the stock GT+ Brembos. I'm curious as to how many people eventually saw an issue or didn't see any issue. Caveat, this has nothing to do with brake performance, fading, bite, etc. We all know pads can be...

stingerforum.org

 

[HDTurbo]

Not quite all those details, but I tried this a few months back.... feel free to bump the thread for more data:

Poll: Have you experienced brake issues with stock pads?

By now we've read through the brake vibration FAQ and the 'warped rotor' threads for the stock GT+ Brembos. I'm curious as to how many people eventually saw an issue or didn't see any issue. Caveat, this has nothing to do with brake performance, fading, bite, etc. We all know pads can be...

stingerforum.org

Yup, thanks. I had replied to that one!

 

[SSavage]

I gave up on kia fixing the problem and ordered power stop rotor and pad package on rock auto. What a difference. Way better feel. The new ceramic pads with carbon fibre added don't squeal. They are quiet and don't shed a lot of brake dust.
Really happy with the improved feel. I can finally hit the brakes with confidence at hi speeds and no shaking.

 

[SpaceGhost]

I solved my brake problem.




Didn't realize used car prices were so high until I read that in this thread. I traded in my 2018 GT2 for 34K and got this club Miata for 28K. Most Mazda dealers wouldn't take anything off MSRP but I found one in southern NH that was discounting and got 3,300 off sticker.

It wasn't really because of the brakes. My job is 100% remote now and I also have access to a 2010 Ford Escape. I missed ripping through gears and always wanted a two seat convertible.

Probably wouldn't have if I didn't still have access to a Stinger? My wife's Stinger GT1 is still in the garage. Driving the Stinger now feels like driving a tank. A very fast tank.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I solved my brake problem.

View attachment 63669

View attachment 63670
Didn't realize used car prices were so high until I read that in this thread. I traded in my 2018 GT2 for 34K and got this club Miata for 28K. Most Mazda dealers wouldn't take anything off MSRP but I found one in southern NH that was discounting and got 3,300 off sticker.

It wasn't really because of the brakes. My job is 100% remote now and I also have access to a 2010 Ford Escape. I missed ripping through gears and always wanted a two seat convertible.

Probably wouldn't have if I didn't still have access to a Stinger? My wife's Stinger GT1 is still in the garage. Driving the Stinger now feels like driving a tank. A very fast tank.

nice solution and interesting replacement!

fun little toy for the backroads and tracks!

 

[BR19GT2]

I gave up on kia fixing the problem and ordered power stop rotor and pad package on rock auto. What a difference. Way better feel. The new ceramic pads with carbon fibre added don't squeal. They are quiet and don't shed a lot of brake dust.
Really happy with the improved feel. I can finally hit the brakes with confidence at hi speeds and no shaking.

The k8510 kit? I have that in my shopping cart right now. The z23 Evo pad and rotor kit, front and back. I could probably do with just pads but I love the drilled slotted look. Has anyone in this thread used this specific option with success over a good amount of miles?

 

[SSavage]

The k8510 kit? I have that in my shopping cart right now. The z23 Evo pad and rotor kit, front and back. I could probably do with just pads but I love the drilled slotted look. Has anyone in this thread used this specific option with success over a good amount of miles?

Yes that's the kit I did. I only had them for about a month now but a couple decent road trips.1600km trip and 600km trip with kids and gear and they are great. I did the recommended break in right when I put them on. Drive up to 80 mph and brake hard a few times down to about 30 mph. A few less aggressive ones after then cool down drive for a bit before stopping. After some drive time I noticed they got even better. Love the look too. I do notice the click when going forward to reverse with them but I think any pads with this style caliper.

 

[BR19GT2]

Yes that's the kit I did. I only had them for about a month now but a couple decent road trips.1600km trip and 600km trip with kids and gear and they are great. I did the recommended break in right when I put them on. Drive up to 80 mph and brake hard a few times down to about 30 mph. A few less aggressive ones after then cool down drive for a bit before stopping. After some drive time I noticed they got even better. Love the look too. I do notice the click when going forward to reverse with them but I think any pads with this style caliper.

That's great, thank you for the insight. Have never heard about a "click" but I've found that, even tho this is a tourer, I've settle into the fact that this is just not as smooth/quiet a ride as a higher end car in the same class would be. And I'm cool with it because I love this car.

Any hardware/fitment and/or install issues? I know the kit comes with replacement hardware, did you use the new hardware or original?

 

[SSavage]

That's great, thank you for the insight. Have never heard about a "click" but I've found that, even tho this is a tourer, I've settle into the fact that this is just not as smooth/quiet a ride as a higher end car in the same class would be. And I'm cool with it because I love this car.

Any hardware/fitment and/or install issues? I know the kit comes with replacement hardware, did you use the new hardware or original?

No issues with install. Went pretty smooth. I did use the new hardware.
With the way the caliper is built and the way the hardware is, there is play in the pads to rotor up and down. So when you change direction you hear the pads shift in the caliper. But with this style you drive the pins out and slide the pads out. Nice and easy. I just used a pry bar to push the pistons back in with the old pad before taking them out. After you take the screws out that hold the rotor on to the hub, There are threads on the rotor to use as jack bolts to push the rotor off the hub.

 

[stoopid]

Only recently (around 9,000 miles) did I start to notice anything similar to what others have described on the forum as shaking when braking. It was very subtle, and mostly after long brakes or very hot days. Fast forward a few months and I decided to get out in front of the issue and swapped the pads (technically I paid a friend of a friend $100 to come over and swap them since I don't have a good jack or stands). I also bought the red can of CRC brake cleaner and he carefully went to town on the discs and calipers.

Anyway, sharing the links to the pads I bought and will report back after I've had some time on the road. Only bedded them today as the instructions outlined and by the end of the bedding process the pedal was feeling silky smooth again like new. Slight relief and confirmation it wasn't the rotors at all.

Rear: More Information for POWER STOP Z262144
Front: More Information for POWER STOP Z266012

After tax $171 shipped

I like the idea of supporting our forum vendors and I'm sure the vendor's pads are good, but I don't track the car and really just wanted the cheapest option that will get the job done.

**Edit -- update 1, next day after a full commute and the braking is smooth as silk again.

 

[7Andrei7]

Quick question: when are rotors considered too hot for your car to be washed? I know that sudden changes in temperature can cause warping?
If I can touch and keep my hand on the (warm) rotor, is it fine to pressure wash the wheel? Or should pressure washing the wheel be totally avoided?
Thanks!

 

[MerlintheMad]

The rotor would have to be glowing hot, pushing 1500F, for any warping to ever occur.

 

[RedCal]

Quick question: when are rotors considered too hot for your car to be washed? I know that sudden changes in temperature can cause warping?
If I can touch and keep my hand on the (warm) rotor, is it fine to pressure wash the wheel? Or should pressure washing the wheel be totally avoided?
Thanks!

If you can keep your hand on it you will be fine, if you are using chemicals (other than soap & water) I would rinse them a few times or wait until they are cold / ambient temp

 

[laynevans]

I've been having fun trying to find discs and pads that don't get warped after track days. Have some RDA 4000 series slotted front discs and replacement rear discs with HD pads. Used some EBC yellow stuff pads on the front and they barely lasted one track session, about 25 laps, 5 sessions of 5 laps. Had to have the discs skimmed flat again. Then tried some Project MU pads on the front. Was a little better, got 2 track days in, but discs are warped again. I think the 4 pot brakes just maybe aren't enough to pull up such a heavy car in a track scenario. Tempted to upgrade to some even better brakes, something 2 piece but not sure the extra expense will fix the problem and I've spent waaay too much on new pads/disc skimming already really. Would be interested to hear if anyone else is doing a lot of track work and what brakes solutions they've come up with.
The annoying thing is I've put all the 'standard' discs/pads back on that have never seen a race track and I still have vibrations or pulsing under braking! Haven't done many kms/miles since putting them back on so hoping it's just everything bedding back in maybe. I tried to keep the discs and pads locations all the same but may have got the rear discs wrong way around.
Might like into a on car disc machining, always done skimming with the discs off previously. Would also like a way to test the discs for warpage.