Rotor inspection

[Ron & Dee]

I would like to inspect or have my rotors inspected for cracks. I have 57k miles on the MH and have had two brake failures.

What does it entail to do this?

I will probably have this done by a professional but would like to know what to look for in severe cracking.

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron & Dee]

I would like to inspect or have my rotors inspected for cracks. I have 57k miles on the MH and have had two brake failures.

What does it entail to do this?

I will probably have this done by a professional but would like to know what to look for in severe cracking.

Thanks,

Ron

[DriVer]

There are 2 faces on a rotor as used on your motorhome. The outside face can be observed using a flashlight from the wheel openings on the front axle. It won't be that easy to repeat that on the rear duals without removing the tires.

If you lie down and crawl under the rig you will immediately be able to see the disk rotors. Again using a flashlight you can observe the disk and look for any obvious cracks that could extend from the hub to the periphery of the disk. If such a crack exists your brakes can be considered to be in need of service.

Small heat related stress cracks in the rotor are normal if they do not extend outward to the edge of the rotor. A rotor may exhibit a number of these small cracks however those will not adversely affect the operation of the brakes and can be considered normal wear and tear.

Good luck with your inspection and please let us know the results.

[Ron & Dee]

Thanks Mike,

Trying to get ready for vacation and just want to make sure things are good to go

Ron

[hwybnb]

Inspections are a good thing and I recommend having them done frequently, but they cannot protect you to the extent you might like. There have been reports of failures that occur shortly after a brake service or inspection.

Workhorse seems unable to explain why these things happen, other than to blame the owner for inadequate maintenance or poor braking technique. To me that means it can happen at any time and without warning. That is why after experiencing three cracked rotors I have installed a temperature monitoring system that hopefully will let me know about over-temperature conditions before any damage done.

[angelman]

I just finished inspecting my rotors, The front and right rear have no cracks what so ever. But the left rear had the "so called normal cracks". This was the wheel that started to overheat on me last columbus day. I also pulled all the ABS sensors and cleaned them off.


Hwybnb= can you do a test run with your TMS with the ABS 60amp fuse pulled. I noticed an increase in mpg and lower temp readings from the rotors on my last trip with the fuse pulled. It would give some crutial info. Thanks

[Joe Gilbert]

I have edited my original post as I listed the wrong contact.

I think your problem is the "black cats".

Go the the post "Brake Temperature Monitor Update" by hwybnb. He has great photos of rotors with "normal" heat cracks and also of catastrophic cracks.

I have 39K miles and so far my rotors look fine. Perhaps suspriing as I've driven the Rockies several times.

[Ron & Dee]

Black cats stay

Rotors go

I plan on doing a lot of praying

Ron