Rusty Brake Rotors

[Ironworker40]

My truck sits a lot because I carpool to work. Brake rotors are always getting rust and now the vibrate because of the pitting. Has anyone used coated rotors? There are several options out there with a wide range of prices. Just want to here from people that have used them. Thanks in advanced.

 

[reserved50]

Expensive rotors dont rust as much. I'm assuming it rains quite a bit, could try using tire bags or car cover over the entire vehicle.
On other vehicles I've actually taken the old rotors and placed them in a sealed plastic container submerged in white vinegar for a few days. They come out like new after being washed, spraying several coats of high heat paint trying to avoid the part that contacts the pads kept them looking new for over a year or two. It also helps to keep them from warping when rusted, the white vinegar dissolves the rust build up inside the vented rotors.

 

[Mlarv5]

Take it out and seat the rotors and pads. Take a drive in it get on an empty stretch of road and get up above 60MPH . Slam on the brakes but don't stop get to 20 mph or so then speed up to 60 again and do the same thing. Do it three maybe four times. After the last one drive about ten minutes or so to cool them down. Try this before replacing them.

 

[Mlarv5]

I went to CA for three weeks and got back last Friday. My wife drove the EX a few times while I was gone. I live near Cleveland OH. When she picked me up at the airport I noticed a grinding noise coming from the brakes. I asked her about it and she said it just started the day before. I got to the dealer this morning and added the brakes to the list. The service writer came and told me my rotors where so rusted they were pitted. They replaced both the rear rotors and pads.

Has anybody else had this happen? Both the brakes from sitting for a few weeks. I am glad it is covered under warranty but wow it seems strange.

I guess I should say I did not try and seat them because of the grinding noise and I did not look for any rust on the rotors. I just drove it back from the airport and parked it until this morning..

 

[PapaGary]

I went to CA for three weeks and got back last Friday. My wife drove the EX a few times while I was gone. I live near Cleveland OH. When she picked me up at the airport I noticed a grinding noise coming from the brakes. I asked her about it and she said it just started the day before. I got to the dealer this morning and added the brakes to the list. The service writer came and told me my rotors where so rusted they were pitted. They replaced both the rear rotors and pads.

Has anybody else had this happen? Both the brakes from sitting for a few weeks. I am glad it is covered under warranty but wow it seems strange.

I guess I should say I did not try and seat them because of the grinding noise and I did not look for any rust on the rotors. I just drove it back from the airport and parked it until this morning..

Wow. I've been messing around with cars for 55+ years and have never heard of rust "pitting" rotors. I presently own three cars and it is not uncommon for one of them to not get driven for several months (my Mazda Miata convertible for instance) and have never seen this. Learn something new every day I guess.

 

[Odrapnew]

That does sound odd and the fact that it only happened on the rear. Maybe a bad batch of rotors were made.
I also have a vehicle that sits for months and never had issues with rotor pitting. The rotors will get a layer of rust on them, but that's wiped away within the first few stops(from 30mph or less). These are cheap rotors from the local parts store.

 

[KayGee]

Wow. I've been messing around with cars for 55+ years and have never heard of rust "pitting" rotors. I presently own three cars and it is not uncommon for one of them to not get driven for several months (my Mazda Miata convertible for instance) and have never seen this. Learn something new every day I guess.

I am in MI and can confirm that any vehicle I leave sitting outside will get rusty rotors within a day. The longer they sit, the worse they get - once they get really rusty and start pitting, they can take a long time to smooth back out and can make a lot of noise along the way. Been happening for the last 30 years I've owned vehicles that have been parked outside in the elements - doesn't matter if GM, MB, Mazda, or Ford.

That does sound odd and the fact that it only happened on the rear. Maybe a bad batch of rotors were made.
I also have a vehicle that sits for months and never had issues with rotor pitting. The rotors will get a layer of rust on them, but that's wiped away within the first few stops(from 30mph or less). These are cheap rotors from the local parts store.

My 17 has been sitting for the last few months and I had to move it over the weekend. Rotors didn't look that bad, but sounded terrible. Fronts cleared themselves pretty quickly, but the rears typically take a lot longer to clear - rears sounded like I was dragging a sled across gravel... 14 Fusion was the same way. Must be a regional thing?