New Brake Rotor Warp, 3 times?

So I think the calipers have it. Bought a cheepo temperature gun and drove 20 minutes stopped for gas, I was at 110C adn 106C in the front, something like 60C 80C in the rear. Leaving the station and driving home the dragging started - noted that it started after the brakes got hot - and then measured at home. Fronts were like 190C left rear was 260C I think the right rear was 300C and smelled burnt. So now at least I have something to take to a mechanic, and I'll mention the upside down caliper possibility. Also it doesn't pull when braking which should have made me think of the back discs, I guess I'm used to worthless drums barely contributing in back, haha.

Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas, I'll follow up with what happens from here.

 

years if driving doesnt equal more experience or knowledge over another person.

Your “trusted” mechanic is a joke and did nothing to diagnose the underlying issue, which was the calipers, after you brought it back 3 times. All he did was throw parts at it, fed you some BS lines and crossed his fingers it would work. Time for a new mechanic…

 

That would make you about 90 yo.

 

heat and smell with definitel raise some red flags. Nice work with thermal gun!

 

Good job diagnosing your problem. Now, fire that mechanic!

 

I don't know how old either of you are, but I have known people who have driven a long time and are still bad drivers with bad habits. Age and time behind the wheel aren't guarantees of good driving.

 

A person I knew who once worked at a car rental counter explicitly told customers who were renting brand new vehicles that the brakes require a careful bedding-in procedure.

 

I just replaced a rear caliper that was sticking. I don’t think it’s possible to install it upside down.
Find a new mechanic that doesn’t just swap out parts without knowing the problem and also doesn’t blame asbestos regulations from 30 years ago.

 

I'm gonna go with "things that never happened" for $1000, Alex.

 

Not sure if its been said, but check the run out on the disc. Its possible the idiot who installed the discs didnt clean the hub correctly and the resulting run out being out of tolerance is causing wobble or vibrations. Hub needs to be chrome like clean! That said many new rotors need to be moved around abit after cleaning on the hub as sometimes when you move them say clockwise to a different stud the run out can get better or worse.

Get AKebono pads. Break in is driving off the jackstands... thats it..thats all.

Also on the caliper if its newish, install new slider pins and rubber boots. Grease correctly with right stuff. I had a partially stuck rear slider pin, just needed cleaning and new grease, was able to reuse the old boot.

Sorry last edit

When the retard did your rear discs, did he back off the E brake, release inside cab then adjust star wheel to ensure rear parking brake pad which is internal on both rear discs was free and clear so the disc just pops off? Or did the oxygen thief just pop off the lugs hammering the disc free resulting in possibly seized and or damaged E brake drum shoes in the hub. They are easy to adjust.

Basically take off wheel. Put lug on hub to retain disc. Go to access port which should be turned to 6 o clock position, look into little hole with flash light you will see a little gear like cog. Adjust down wiht flat head of screw driver to release tension and up to tighten.

So do this

Pop console dash by shift, check vids online, its easy. Disengage retaining nut for E brake. Remove rear tires, put on lug to retain disc. Rotate disc if possible to line up access hole. Adjust star gear with flat head of screwdriver downwards. Disc should freely spin by hand now..barring any seized caliper or pad. Now you can once caliper is off carefully pop off disc and check drum pads. Maybe he broke it.. or maybe its no even a factor. But check it. To redo, its easy. Push upwards with disc back on on star gear. Go so you cant turn disc by hand...drum pads engaged... now back wheel gear off maybe 3 clicks or so now it will spin freely. Retighten set nut in console. Aim for rear parking brake when depressed to have maybe 5-8 clicks to full engagement. Its very easy.. pro tip.. get a mini ratch with swivel head for easy of use on P brake adjustment nut in center console.. or get some bandaids

 

3 million miles and 25 vehicles and this is my first abnormal (not from wear) brake problem? Yeah it's probably my bad driving.

Which would make you 75 and mean you grew up with leaded gas at the pump. Neat.

 

Wow. What did you do for a living?

 

There may be be more than 1 thing causing your rotor issue.
Bedding in new brakes is important (lots of specific techniques on line) especially if new pads and new rotors are installed.

I agree calipers -sticky piston or pins- can explain a lot. Put #1 as cause.

The warpage can be due to heat only or pad material uneven build up or both.
Hard stops are to be avoided, where runner comes to complete stop with full foot pressure on brake pedal after wheels stop turning.

I agree new mechanic should be considered.

 

The diagnosis was a bad caliper and I don't know how a mechanic missed it, it was leaking like a sieve. Threw shocks at the rear too since they were obviously blown too. Mobile mechanic was $420 (ouch) and parts were $350 on top of that. He's buttoning it up now.

Small update: well anybody who has the REAS is probably laughing so the caliper is fixed and I'll update next week after driving and with the shocks of which a pair of shocks actually ported for the REAS are coming.

 

I hope it wasn’t the same mechanic.
I hope you find a reputable mechanic that is qualified and does quality work.

Edit: Run away from your original mechanic, fast!

 

jesus!

 

One of my favourite days was taking bolt cutters to my XREAS lines... then switching to KING. The proper removal is laughable if you live in the rust belt... where as bolt cutters... make it very quick. Not like anybody would reuse these POS anyhow. Mine didnt leak..they just were shit. I got sick of the snap snap over tar strips..drove me nuts. The KINGs are much better on everything.