Brake Disc Care: Expert Advice from Leading Brake Disc Manufacturers

Drivers may experience vibration while using the steering wheel or braking the pedals. Do you know why it happens? If you don’t have any ideas, you can consult with an expert for guidance. Professionals can offer valuable insights into the cause of the issue and its solution. Brake disc manufacturers have years of experience in the industry. Therefore, they are well aware of these issues. Due to their awareness of the situation, they can quickly offer effective strategies and prevention methods to deal with it. 

Common Brake Disc Issues and Solutions

Overheated Brake Discs

One of the most common issues related to the brake disc is overheating, which can be destructive to the vehicle. The structure of the cast iron may change when the temperature reaches 650°C. At this temperature, the brake disc usually takes time to cool down after repeated braking at high speed. Overheating can also occur due to excessive friction resulting from using inadequate bedding with new pads.

Intense overheating can lead to a crystalline structure of the cementite present on the disc brake surface, causing a change to the geometry. Both the driver and disc drives feel the runout. On occasion, it is possible to notice a crack of 25mm to 30mm in length. Cracks longer than this can impact the disc geometry. Overheating of the disc may cause the edge of the pad to crumble.

Solution

Following the brake bedding rule during the first 200 miles, it is better to brake moderately. Heavy braking should be avoided to prevent overheating. Therefore, there will be no risk of overheating the brakes. Professionals recommend keeping the calliper guide as clean as possible. Otherwise, the calliper may not open properly. Constant friction may lead to overheating of the disc brake.

Worn-out or Damaged Discs

When a brake disc becomes old and worn out, it may overheat. If the replacement is overdue, issues may arise. According to experts, it is better to replace the brake disc when its thickness has reached its minimum value. On occasion, the thickness of the brake pads may not be a factor.

Solution

If the use of the new brake pad cannot improve the solution, it is better to replace it. The lifespan of a brake disc is usually shorter than that of new brake pads. When the thickness is close to the minimum, replacement is the best solution when installing a new brake pad.

Dirt Between Brake Disc and Hub

Hub space and inner surface contamination of the disc brake are often overlooked.  A layer of rust on the surface is not acceptable. If there is dirt, it is better to clean or replace the parts with a new one.

Solution

When replacing the brake disc, it is crucial to clean the hub surface thoroughly. A small grain of 0.5 mm can cause the steering wheel to vibrate. Between the disc surface and the pad, the average clearance needs to be 0.1 mm. 

Choose one of the leading disc brake manufacturers that offer high-quality parts. Additionally, professionals can help repair parts. If you need assistance or advice regarding these parts, please don't hesitate to contact us at your convenience.