Rear Brake Scoring

[BBB]

So I just got my car back from service #2 and in my walk around to check the car over, I noticed that the left rear rotor had 3 scoring lines in it. They aren't deep grooves, but I can definitely feel them when I run my fingernail across. I asked the service guy and he said that it is nothing to worry about unless the groove becomes deeper and more pronounced. The service included a brake check and a brake clean, so I'm assuming if there were problems with my pads/rotors, they would have mentioned something to me right? Should I be concerned of an underlying problem?

 

[eflyguy]

No concern. Very common on motorcycle rotors which are a little more exposed to grit being flung up from the road surface, no impact on performance as the pads will quickly form to the groove unless they are really severe.

 

[SKStinger]

My Audi A4 Avant rear rotors have scored badly over two sets of rotors. It has never caused any brake issues. I wouldn’t sweat it. As said above, road debris collecting on the rotor surface and pads is the cause.

 

[BBB]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[relf218]

Hi,
How exactly would"scored badly" look like, I found out from my car that my rear brake discs also seem to be scored and the the scratches are very noticeable. Are these really okay?

 

[SKStinger]

Hi,
How exactly would"scored badly" look like, I found out from my car that my rear brake discs also seem to be scored and the the scratches are very noticeable. Are these really okay?

Those don’t look like grooves in the rotors. Can you feel ridges on the rotors with your finger?

 

[relf218]

Those don’t look like grooves in the rotors. Can you feel ridges on the rotors with your finger?

Hey thanks for replying.
Yes I can certainly feel the uneven surface with my finger, they are especially bad for the rear discs. But I do not feel any vibration or weird sensation under brake.

 

[SKStinger]

Hey thanks for replying.
Yes I can certainly feel the uneven surface with my finger, they are especially bad for the rear discs. But I do not feel any vibration or weird sensation under brake.

Ok. They don’t look deep and shouldnt cause any issues. The winter is hard on them due to all the gravel in the snow that sticks to them and melts and gets ground into the pads.

My A4 is way worse than that as you can actually see the grooves. Audi says it’s nothing to worry about and my braking feels and sounds normal.

 

[relf218]

Ok. They don’t look deep and shouldnt cause any issues. The winter is hard on them due to all the gravel in the snow that sticks to them and melts and gets ground into the pads.

My A4 is way worse than that as you can actually see the grooves. Audi says it’s nothing to worry about and my braking feels and sounds normal.

Oh ok, that's reassuring to hear. Thanks !

 

[SKStinger]

Oh ok, that's reassuring to hear. Thanks !

Here’s a photo

 

[eflyguy]

Roughly how many miles and how many winters on those, SK?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Hi,
How exactly would"scored badly" look like, I found out from my car that my rear brake discs also seem to be scored and the the scratches are very noticeable. Are these really okay?

I am not freaked out by the "streaks" going around your rotors: but the RUST, man, the RUST! Driving in Canada winters must be positively hellish on all the ferrous metal parts.

Is there a rotor that is alloy that won't rust like that?

 

[SKStinger]

Roughly how many miles and how many winters on those, SK?

Good question. I installed these 2 years ago along with new pads so I’d say at most 15,000 miles.

Only took 1 winter to start looking this way. These are EBC rotors. The OEM rotors did the exact same thing.

 

[SKStinger]

I am not freaked out by the "streaks" going around your rotors: but the RUST, man, the RUST! Driving in Canada winters must be positively hellish on all the ferrous metal parts.

Is there a rotor that is alloy that won't rust like that?

Mine were black 2 years ago... Don’t think there is any way to escape the rust on the rotors.

This is why I summer drive my Stinger!

 

[eflyguy]

My rotors are covered in rust just from getting wet - no salt on the roads here. It's not causing any harm.

 

[MerlintheMad]

My rotors are covered in rust just from getting wet - no salt on the roads here. It's not causing any harm.

But, but RUST! I hate the way it looks. Brakes can perform 100% with rotors "covered in rust" and it just looks bad. Do higher end cars' rotors rust like this? That's why I asked my question about alloy rotors. I'm not talking about the rotor surface itself; that gets constantly scrubbed off by the pads. The edges, crevices and holes are where the rust accumulates. I suppose that drilled and/or slotted rotors would show rust there, am I right about that?

 

[Not Here Anymore]

But, but RUST! I hate the way it looks. Brakes can perform 100% with rotors "covered in rust" and it just looks bad. Do higher end cars' rotors rust like this? That's why I asked my question about alloy rotors. I'm not talking about the rotor surface itself; that gets constantly scrubbed off by the pads. The edges, crevices and holes are where the rust accumulates. I suppose that drilled and/or slotted rotors would show rust there, am I right about that?

So far my brakes look ok as I only have 8k on the my Stinger GT but it am a bit careful with the braking for now ,, just hope they last ok down the road

 

[Rango]

But, but RUST! I hate the way it looks. Brakes can perform 100% with rotors "covered in rust" and it just looks bad. Do higher end cars' rotors rust like this? That's why I asked my question about alloy rotors. I'm not talking about the rotor surface itself; that gets constantly scrubbed off by the pads. The edges, crevices and holes are where the rust accumulates. I suppose that drilled and/or slotted rotors would show rust there, am I right about that?

Any thoughts on these rotors? Gearheads chime in please.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

I like the look of those performance brakes for sure ,, drilled and slotted should enable better heat dissipation cool

 

[SKStinger]

Personally I’d go with a reputable brand like EBC or Stoptech etc.

The zinc coating doesn’t last in harsh environments. My EBC rear rotors above are zinc coated.