Warped rotor
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
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From: Central PA
Warped rotor
My front left rotor is warped and makes that annoying chirp chirp chirp sound as I'm driving. I hear it while the truck is driving and also when braking. I jacked up the front left tire under the control arm, removed the tire and caliper/pads, tightened the rotor against the hub with the lug nuts. Watching the bottom of the caliper mount as a reference point, I can clearly see the distance changing between the rotor and the mount as I rotate the rotor. And I feel the resistance as the rotor gets closer in that spot. Is this simply a warped rotor? Or is something else causing this? I replaced the pads, rotors, front brake hoses, front left caliper and , still the chirp remains. The pins are greased and slide nicely. I also bled quite a bit of fluid out, since it was a bit dark compared to the new fluid. I checked for play in the tire, thinking maybe a bad wheel bearing, but found none. No other noises or symptoms in the front end.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
Might try pulling that rotor off.
Be sure the backside of the rotor where it mounts to the hub is clean and free of rust. Also check the surface of the hub where the rotor mounts against the hub.
Can you identify a witness mark from the chirp sound?
Be sure the backside of the rotor where it mounts to the hub is clean and free of rust. Also check the surface of the hub where the rotor mounts against the hub.
Can you identify a witness mark from the chirp sound?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
The rotor can take on a 'wave' in part of it's rotation pad surface.
This is not a difference in disc thickness but a distortion.
It can become temperature sensitive to how much the brakes are used at various times.
This often causes brake pulsing as the wave goes through the pad area.
Often the cause is 'Over torquing" lug nuts.
You see the hub does not have much meat for metal and can be pulled into distortion along with the disc.
Over time this tends to cause the disc to take a set.
To check on this possibilkitry rotate the Lug to wheel position at least two holes then torque to spec and see if there is any change.
If yes, you need to replace the disc even if it is new.
Often a shop will over tighten the wheels and get you into this situation.
Good luck.
This is not a difference in disc thickness but a distortion.
It can become temperature sensitive to how much the brakes are used at various times.
This often causes brake pulsing as the wave goes through the pad area.
Often the cause is 'Over torquing" lug nuts.
You see the hub does not have much meat for metal and can be pulled into distortion along with the disc.
Over time this tends to cause the disc to take a set.
To check on this possibilkitry rotate the Lug to wheel position at least two holes then torque to spec and see if there is any change.
If yes, you need to replace the disc even if it is new.
Often a shop will over tighten the wheels and get you into this situation.
Good luck.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Central PA
Thank you both for you response. Pdqford, you nailed it. I checked the hub to rotor mating surface and the hub had a rusty, scaly spot that was raised slightly. I chipped it off and went over the whole surface with a wire brush. Put it all back together and the noise is gone. I knew it was gonna be some stupid thing that was right there in front of me. And that was it. Thanks again.
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