I purchased a set of rotors, Ceramic pads and new bearings from NAPA and installed them on my 1991 Z-28 with standard brakes, the problem I have had is I have had two sets of bearings go bad they appear to be over heating. The rotors are slotted and drilled and stopped great but in 500 miles or so the bearings become loose and burnt. The rotors are mark right and left, I have always known the right to be Pass and the left to be driver but the angle of the slots and drilled holes are backward to what I believe to be proper. I have worked on cars for over 35 years and have never had a problem like this. NAPA warranted them but has insisted that I am installing them wrong? I have included a picture of the Pass side so you can see how they are installed. Need input on this one doesn’t seem to make since.
Thanks
John

 

The rotor appears to be turning in the correct direction. Did you check inside the bearing area to see if something in there wasn't the problem like the races being installed just a bit off?

 

The races and bearings were changed both times, and I dont believe there was a problem there. At both Baer and Bermbo they state that the outer end of the slot should hit the brake pad first, these the inner part hits the pad first.

 

I'd measure the rotor thickness at several points from the hub to the outer edge, sounds like there may be a manufacturing defect in the rotor.

 

Your setup is correct.Looks like your rotors are Raybestos ones? I had the same setup.Had no probs at all.WHat are the bearing numbers you were given?How are you tightening the spindle nuts also?

 

Olmos sounds too tight, but if you have been spinning wrenches so long you should know better.

 

I tightened them 12 ft lbs while spinning the wheel forward and than back them off untill loose and than put the cotter in in the nearest slot. That is the way I have allways done them and the way the service manual states. The bearings # are BR6 & BR34.
The wheels turn smoothly.
Thanks
John

 

did you grease the bearings properly?

 

Hand packed them as I have many times before I would normally spend several minutes on each bearing until they are full than I roll them in grease in the palm of my hand as I hold the inner bearing still so they roll, then I make sure there is plenty of grease in the race so when they are tightened it forces grease in again. I would think you would have to really put a small amount of grease in them to have them fail in less than 500 miles. I used Valvoline Muti-Purpose #614 grease.

 

hey, you never know, just figured i'd ask

 

Thanks for the reply I am looking for any and all feedback.
John

 

i dont use a touq wrench just feel of the hand, not loose but not to tight, just like my ladies.

 

How are the spindles? Might be time to measure them up and do a visual check and see if they're ok. I've noticed more than a few that wore down the area where the rear bearing cup sits against the back of the spindle. Only other thing I can think of is calipers hanging up but then you'd be burning up pads and rotors too.

For what its worth, I've heard ceramic pads tend to run really hot. Might try different pads.

 

Did the bearings have plastic or nylon on the outer part of the bearing? I put drilled and slotted rotors on my Z28 about a year and a half ago and the new outer bearings were half plastic. I packed them full of grease, installed them, and in less than 10 minutes on the road, they were junk. I went back to the parts store and picked up the cheaper bearings and they were all steel. I haven't had any problems since.

 

no they were all steel, this last itme I changed them out I went back to oem rotors and havnt had a problem will check them this weekend to make sure, we drove it to Michigan to the NASCAr race and back 1300 miles and dont seem to be having the same Problem???
Thanks
John

 

drilled rotors dont help at all, slotted is the way to go, drilled can crack and their goes ur money down the drain

 

which direction are teh slotted rotors supposed to be facing?

 

Brembo and Baer on their web sites say the out side of the drilled or slotted should hit the pads first. The ones I have are opposite the bottom or inside hit the pad first. On the Raybestos site it says the complete opposite????? I am at a loss I have 1400 miles on the OME type that I replaced them with and no problems???
Thanks
John
replacements

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have the rotors on the wrong sides.

From this pic on the brembo website, they're facing the other way.

http://www.brembo.com/NR/rdonlyres/4...5981/rover.jpg

Different companies/products withing a company may be different, though.

 

I think there on opposite sides, If u think about it the slot is supposed to help with brake cooling?

If so then id imagine that they would want the slot facing outwards as it came to the pad, * as the website stated*

I put drilled and slotted rotors on a honda last year and i had the slots the opposite way u do, and they havent had a problem * that was a pita btw*

 

I agree BUT if you go tot the Raybestos web site
http://www.raybestos.com/wps/portal/...pe=Brake+Rotor
it shows the left or Drivers side is correctly installed. So Baer and Brembo are one way and the Raybestos is the other.
Just not sure???
Thanks for all the feedback as I sure would like to know what is going on.
JOHN