Brake/Rotor Recommendation
 

Hi,

I had my brakes pads replaced around 36k or so. At the time, they turned the rotors. Soon, I found the warped rotor pulsation had returned.

For the next go around, (I'm at about 50k now) I want to find a good aftermarket pad/rotor combination. I've seen some stuff about cross drilled & slotted rotors, but I don't know what to do.

I basically just use my car for commuting. I am not a racer or participate in any competitions. (Although I think I am probably harder on my brakes than most, since I had this problem in my last car - a Saturn SL1). I don't have a lot of money to spend on flashy rotors or racing pads. I just want to put in a set of great pads and rotors which will not warp on me, and I will get decent life out of. (I'm not unhappy with the life - only the annoyance of the warping, really).

Any good advice?

Thanks much for the help,
Eric

Same Problem Here, Twice
 

Hi Eric--

:rant:

Interesting to see your mention of warped rotor pulsation from the brakes. I had that problem with my car and took it to the dealer for analysis, after which they said the rotors were warped and some other part of the system was defective. They replaced components under warranty.

Now, at 20200 miles, I've noticed that damned problem coming back. Again.

I too am a very modest driver. I use my Protege to get around in-- No racing; no aggressive tendencies. Based thereon there should be NO problems with the brake system. Zero, I say you!

I have another year left on my warranty, so I'll take it back to the dealer again to see what they say, but I've become very dubious of their ability to fix the fucking problem once and for all. I won't tolerate poor quality and/or ineptness for any reason, and become very angry when my expectations and trust have been violated, as Mazda has so far delivered. One shouldn't have problems with such a new car as it is, but if something does go wrong I expect it fixed the first time, period.

One possible caveat: Do you have OEM Mazda wheel locks on your car? I've theorized some dumbass at the Mazda dealership might have put mine on too tight, thus causing rotor warping over time. It's either that or Mazda brakes are of poor quality-- Which will ensure this is the last Mazda I'll ever buy.

I didn't buy a Mazda to get ripped off in terms of wasting my time getting the car fixed every 6 months, even if it's covered by a warranty. If I wanted that I would have bought a Dodge or Chevrolet.

God dammit.

:rant: :mach:

It is actually normal to have the rotors warp a little bit, but only around 30k or so (this from a Midas guy that I trust). I don't know if my wife ever actually had the rotors turned, but I just did them for the first time since I started driving the car, and I had 66k at the time.

Rotex pads front and rear from the brake warehouse in SC, and brembo OEM replacement rotors from www.frozenrotors.com

Great combo, and money well spent. I've had the frozen rotors on other cars, and they will last at least 3 times as long, and no warping!!

Put them on my ES about 3 months ago, better braking, and no problems, and I drive the car pretty hard.

I feel stupid, but I can't find either the pads or the rotors for a protege! Am I missing something?? Please help!

Thanks,
Eric

If you pull up frozenrotors' site, call the phone number they provide, they don't list all of the applications for the rotors they carry. Same with the brake warehouse in South Carolina...pull up their site and give them a call.

I hit a curb going about...60mph, i got cut off by some benz...anyways my front rotor warped, so i got brembo driller/slotted rotors. i love them, they look really good too.