[aroncole]

Friends,

I got the brake rotors and pads replaced on all four wheels last Friday. Went for two-piece Brembo rotors + Akebono ceramic pads with the expectation that they would last several years, given my original ones lasted eight years. Since I got this done in Boston, I traveled about 500 miles back to home in Canada.

While driving, I felt like there was some noise - not too loud but enough to make me visually inspect the rotors upon reaching home. I found that the coating on the front right rotor looked visibly different (discolored/scratched/damaged) along the edges from the rest of the rotor. I checked the other rotors and found varying levels of discoloration/scratches/damage along the edges.

It doesn't seem normal given the variance in discoloration on the rotors. However, is it something that I need to worry about? Does this indicate any mistakes in replacement by the indie shop that did the job? Most importantly, would it ultimately lead to untimely replacement of these new rotors?

Please see the images below to review the different levels of damage on the individual rotors.

Front Right Rotor



As can be seen, the edge of the disc seems to have a pronounced discoloration (about half an inch) when compared to the rest of the disc.

Front Left Rotor



This one has a smaller discolored area along the edge, but still significant.

Rear Right Rotor



This rotor does not seem to have any visible discoloration.

Rear Left Rotor



This one has a tiny but very pronounced discoloration right at the edge.

Since the shop that did the work is in Boston, I can't immediately go back and check with them (this is not to mention the cost of the journey again). I know that I should just have used a local shop. Idiotic decision to get this done while traveling. Hopefully, it will not end up costing me too much!

[Breach]

Uh, maybe I am missing something here, but are you referring to the anti-corrosive coating of the rotors...? This is only supposed to last until they are installed (others come oiled instead). I don't see anything wrong in the pictures - not all pictures open, but it looks like normal bedding in for ceramic pads - from my experience ceramic pads give the rotor a more textured appearance compared to semi-metallic ones.

Also, until they are fully bedded in you may observe uneven bands on the rotor surface.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Breach

Uh, maybe I am missing something here, but are you referring to the anti-corrosive coating of the rotors...? This is only supposed to last until they are installed (others come oiled instead). I don't see anything wrong in the pictures - not all pictures open, but it looks like normal bedding in for ceramic pads - from my experience ceramic pads give the rotor a more textured appearance compared to semi-metallic ones.

Also, until they are fully bedded in you may observe uneven bands on the rotor surface.

While I would generally agree, that edge is way too wide. Granted, the pad doesn't sweep to the edge of the rotor, but it should sweep much closer than that; like a mm or two. The protective coating should wear off in few brake applications.

I don't know how it would be possible, but the pads look too small.

[lsturbointeg]

rule of thumb is the protective coating should be removed before you install your rotors by using brake cleaner. if you don't the coating will cause excessive heating which will than glaze your rotors.