Front rotors warped 4 times.
Gotta love this car, definitely the "best Corvette yet" and every year they come out with a few more additions to the C5 making it even better.
The warped rotors were most likely the result of improper lug bolt torquing. Alloy wheels deform easily and the newer lighter weight braking components will warp with them. Often, the warping is permanent and must be machined out or have the discs replaced. Dealer service techs improperly torquing wheels on Corvettes years ago lead to so many rotor warranty claims that GM revised it's rules across the board. They now only replace rotors which have been machined past their wear limits. When I get tires mounted, I bring my own torque wrench and do the job properly.
I know of someone who bought a '97 vette and right away replaced them with BREMBO brakes. And a good friend of mine had also gotten a 1 year old '97 and already the brakes were warped after a few months of driving. I think the manufacturer should install vented disc brakes.
I currently drive a 99 vette and have had chronic problems with warped rotors. Over the years I've had three sets of new rotors, each of which have been turned once.
As its' been explained to me from a certified, GM employed, vette guru, the problem seems to stem from the calipers. Since the calipers are of the 4 piston design, it is common upon releasing the brake that not all 4 pistons release fully. This puts the pad in light, but constant contact with rotor. The rotor never gets a chance to fully cool while your on the gas and then once you hit the brakes and come to a stop, the calipers act as a heat sink and the rotors cool unevenly. Though the rotors are tough and can handle extreme heat; over time they are not invincible.
Repair protocol dictates a check for this behavior when the dealer fixes this problem. However since the problem is intermittent, it may not be caught.
If anyone knows of a solution, please inform.
Thanks.
Chris.adam@beer.com.
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