Cross-Drilled Rotors

2002 - Volume #26, Issue #6, Page #38

[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story | Read this issue]

Cross-Drilled Rotors "Stop Faster, Last Longer"

If the performance of the brakes in your pickup, SUV, or car is not what you'd like, you might want to take a look at the idea of using cross-drilled - or slotted - rotors.
  Cross-drilled brakes originated in racing to help dissipate heat and gases that build up under brake pads. The theory was that as the pads and rotor heated up, gases would build up under the pads and prevent them from getting a firm grip on the rotor.
  It has since been proven, according to some manufacturers, that cross-drilled rotors run cooler and that both rotors and pads last longer.
  Several manufacturers produce either slotted or cross-drilled rotors.
  Jesse Ramirez, Brembo North America; says brake pads last up to 10 percent longer when used with crossed drilled rotors. The biggest advantage, particularly to people with pickups or SUVs, is the shortened stopping distance which can be decreased by as much as 25 percent, depending on the vehicle application.
  "If you use your brakes a lot while driving, such as in pulling a trailer in rugged terrain or up and down mountain roads, you may have noticed the brakes fading once they get hot," he says. "Heat dissipation with cross drilled rotors means there's less chance of brake failure due to heat buildup."
  Ramirez says cross-drilling doesn't improve braking on drum brakes. He cautions that cross-drilling should not be a do-it-yourself project. "If the rotor is not designed properly, drilling or slotting them can cause brake failure. We've seen cases where pieces of the rotor just break off."
  Brembo's top-of-the-line cross-drilled or slotted cadmium plated rotors range from $129 to $435 per set. Non-plated rotors start at around $100 less. You can order from several manufacturers through the Brake Warehouse at www.brakewarehouse.net or they can be ordered through most auto parts stores.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Follow-up, Jesse Ramirez, Brembo North America 1585 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626 (ph 800 325-3994; Website: www. brembo.com).

Click here to download page story appeared in.

Click here to read entire issue

Cross-Drilled Rotors "Stop Faster, Last Longer" FARM HOME Cars 26-6-38 If the performance of the brakes in your pickup, SUV, or car is not what you'd like, you might want to take a look at the idea of using cross-drilled - or slotted - rotors. Cross-drilled brakes originated in racing to help dissipate heat and gases that build up under brake pads. The theory was that as the pads and rotor heated up, gases would build up under the pads and prevent them from getting a firm grip on the rotor. It has since been proven, according to some manufacturers, that cross-drilled rotors run cooler and that both rotors and pads last longer. Several manufacturers produce either slotted or cross-drilled rotors. Jesse Ramirez, Brembo North America; says brake pads last up to 10 percent longer when used with crossed drilled rotors. The biggest advantage, particularly to people with pickups or SUVs, is the shortened stopping distance which can be decreased by as much as 25 percent, depending on the vehicle application. "If you use your brakes a lot while driving, such as in pulling a trailer in rugged terrain or up and down mountain roads, you may have noticed the brakes fading once they get hot," he says. "Heat dissipation with cross drilled rotors means there's less chance of brake failure due to heat buildup." Ramirez says cross-drilling doesn't improve braking on drum brakes. He cautions that cross-drilling should not be a do-it-yourself project. "If the rotor is not designed properly, drilling or slotting them can cause brake failure. We've seen cases where pieces of the rotor just break off." Brembo's top-of-the-line cross-drilled or slotted cadmium plated rotors range from $129 to $435 per set. Non-plated rotors start at around $100 less. You can order from several manufacturers through the Brake Warehouse at www.brakewarehouse.net or they can be ordered through most auto parts stores. Contact: FARM SHOW Follow-up, Jesse Ramirez, Brembo North America 1585 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626 (ph 800 325-3994; Website: www. brembo.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW NOW