ER34 front rotors warped again....

After I got my front rotors skimmed and slotted back in August 2006, the car feels great. No more shuddering upon hard braking. However, it only lasts me for 2 weeks (!!!) before I managed to get 'em rotors warped again.

Sigh......I seriously hope it's just uneven rotors and not associated with other more minute details concerning the braking system. I had lived with it for close to 4 months now and it's beginning to irritate me badly. I can't drive hard with confidence knowing the car will vibrate upon hard utilization of the STOP pedal.

Pic 1: Brembo F50 brake kit

There are indeed many stock replacement rotors out there as with a total big brake upgrade kits. If one have the budget (> JPY 800,000), the Brembo F50 brake kit with 15" rotors seems to be like the big daddy of brake kit for the Skyline.

However, back to reality, I have tried the budget way, that is to skim and reuse back the OE units. Now, it's perhaps time to go aftermarket and opt for a replacement unit. I have surveyed around for the available models that I would consider. Looked at offerings from Dixcel, Project Mu and also Endless.

Pic 2: Project Mu's SCR Pro

Pic 3: Endless' 24 Slit Rotors

In the end, I narrowed down my choice to either Project Mu's SCR Pro or Endless' 24 Slit Rotors. Just wire transferred the cash to my contact in Japan yesterday and would hope to get it delivered via EMS as soon as possible over here.

Which rotors did I ordered? Will let you all know once it arrives..... :P

Waits in glee!!!

Slotted Rotors and Endless Brake Pads

If you have read my post on "ER34 goes corner carving in Cameron Highlands", you would have noted me mentioning about the front rotors on the ER34. Well, they are in dire need of some doctoring. The car judders a LOT during hard braking up to the point of me losing confidence on the effectiveness of the brakes.

Pic 1: 310mm rotors in pretty bad shape

Finally today I took the car to a workshop and got the rotors removed. I've decided to skim the rotors, get it balanced and slotted at the same time. With the rotors removed, it is apparent on how bad it is. The surface are no longer smooth and the contact patch with the brake pads are uneven. It's also a good opportunity to inspect the piston rubber seals on 4 pot calipers. So far so good. Looks like they don't need replacing. :P

Pic 2: Skimming the rotors

Pic 3: Newly skimmed rotors

After the rotors are removed, it is sent to the machine shop for skimming. Over in the machine shop, it is then meticulously measured and slotted. I had 5 slots done per side of the rotors.

Pic 4: Slotting the rotors

With 'new' rotors, the old pads need to be ditched. It comes from the factory with Hitachi pads (Part No. HP57H FF). These were replaced with Endless Vita Nuova VN9500 (Part No. EP230VN) brake pads.

Pic 5: Endless Vita Nuova VN9500

Pic 6: Part No. EP230VN

Pic 7: Endless brake pads

After everything was done and put back in place, I did a couple runs to bed in the new brake pads. After which, tried some hard braking and the juddering is gone. Woohoo!!

The whole darn process took 5 bloody hours to complete. Can't imagine how I hung around while it is being done. :O

Pic 8: Completed!!