Questions and Answers
Mitsubishi Rotor Warping
Q. I have had numerous rotor warping problems with the car. For the first 10,000 miles, no problems existed. At 10,000 miles, we had a major repair. The computer was replaced, as well as injector #4. The spark plugs were also replaced. Ever since then, the front rotors have warped approximately every 2,500 miles. The rear drums have also begun to warp as well at the same interval. We have replaced the front rotors 3X, resurfaced 2X; replaced the rear drums 2X, resurfaced 1X, all in the past 14,000 miles (10,000 miles to present). All the brake problems began after the major repair at the 10,000 mile point.
* Year, make and model : 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS
* Engine size: approx. 2 L
* Manual or automatic transmission: Automatic
* Mileage : 24,000 miles
* Carb or Fuel Injection: Fuel
* ABS brakes: yes
* P/S - A/C - Cruise control: Has Power steering Air conditioning and cruise controlCould the on board computer be causing the bakes to be applied incorrectly and cause premature warping? Could it be a failure with the ABS system causing the rotor warping? Could it be tightening problem of the lug nuts? Any other theories? If it is any of these, how would I know? The dealership cannot find a root cause (and I am not sure how hard they are looking).
I don't think it is me via the way I drive causing the premature warping since I had 10,000 miles of brake free problems (and I have had no other problem with the other cars I have driven).
Thank you for time and quick assistance in this matter ( I have an appointment this Wednesday for the brake problem again; I had the front rotors replaced at 21,800 and the back drums resurfaced at 22,800 so I am due for the front rotors to be warped again!!).
Any questions, please let me know.
Julie and PaulA. I don't see how the computer can be causing this problem Paul. If the brake pads are wearing out at the same time, I would say the problem is with the master cylinder. If they aren't wearing out, then I would look at the wheels. If they are using an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts, then they are probably over tightening them and that's causing the rotors to warp. I would suggest using a torque wrench to tighten the wheels to 55 foot pounds. I would also make sure the air flow around the brakes is unobstructed. If air can't get to the brakes, excessive heat can build up and cause the warpage. The two main causes of this are aftermarket wheels and those dust shields that are supposed to keep the wheels clean of brake dust.
