Solution to the SRT8 brake dust, rotor scoring, and squealing problem

[srt42]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Slotted rotors are only there for improved "bite" and to keep a fresh surface on the brake pads. They do not reduce dusting. In fact, they slightly increase dust production and pad wear. They also do not reduce incidence of judder (what you called "warping").

I have no idea how DCX is portraying slotted rotors as a solution to dusting, squealing, or rotor scoring. It's completely unrelated to all three issues. I expect they're planning to come out with a less aggressive pad and, in conjunction, are switching to slotted rotors to regain some of the resulting loss in bite.

Out of curiosity, Dave, are you going to be replacing your rotors with the new slotted rotors via TSB 05-006-06 ? May this new rotor start the dust problem again? Seems like we're going in circles regarding these brake issues.

I'm also curious what to look for on my current rotors to see if they are going to qualify for DCX's replacement? I don't think mine have grooved as bad as some others.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by srt42

Out of curiosity, Dave, are you going to be replacing your rotors with the new slotted rotors via TSB 05-006-06 ?

I am going to replace my rotors with slotted, but not the puny little TSB rotors. I'm putting these bad boys in:

StopTech 380mm x 32mm floating rotors

These won't work with the stock calipers, but are part of the StopTech 6-piston big brake kit. Here's a shot of the StopTech ST-60 caliper, which dwarfs the factory SRT8 Brembo caliper:

StopTech 6-piston caliper

These are the same calipers (different piston sizing) that Lou Gigliotti is using in his C6 Corvette to lead the points standing in the SPEED World Challenge GT class this season. See: http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=356

I'll post some side-by-side photos of the stock and upgraded parts when I do the installation this Sunday.

May this new rotor start the dust problem again? Seems like we're going in circles regarding these brake issues.

If you've got the C-Tek pads installed, the slotted TSB rotors will not make a huge difference in the amount of dust. A 10% increase in virtually zero brake dust is still not a lot of brake dust!

I'm also curious what to look for on my current rotors to see if they are going to qualify for DCX's replacement? I don't think mine have grooved as bad as some others.

If the rotors have worn below minimum thickness, then it's a no brainer that they should be replaced. I can't lay my hands on the minium thickness numbers right now. If I find them, I'll post an update. Also, if the grooving from the OEM pads is dramatic, the dealer may decide to replace the rotors, even if they are above minimum thickness.

[vvv90]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

If you've got the C-Tek pads installed, the slotted TSB rotors will not make a huge difference in the amount of dust. A 10% increase in virtually zero brake dust is still not a lot of brake dust!

Hmmmm...I might put my stock pads back in so I can get new TSB slotted rotors.

[sjz]

Originally Posted by vvv90

Hmmmm...I might put my stock pads back in so I can get new TSB slotted rotors.

Don't laugh, I thinking the same thing!
My rotors look beautiful now, but at one time they were grooved like crazy. Most of the grooves had disappeared BEFORE I put the C-Teks on, but the thought keeps bouncing into my head that for the grooves to be gone, the rotor must have worn beyond the depths of the grooves. This means my rotors must be quite worn.
Since my car is one year old on Sunday, I called the dealer to document that my rotors were grooved, and that I'm concerned about excessive wear. I told him that I want to go on record before the car is 1 year old. In 2 weeks (1st time our schedules mesh) I have an appointment for him to check the wear, but he assured me that I am covered time wise.
I'm thinking about re-installing the OEM pads tomorrow (when the temperatures are supposed to dip below 90*) and use them for the 2 weeks, hoping to get some grooves in them! I'll see what happens.

Minimum rotor thickness:
Front: 1.181"
Rear: 1.024"

[ScottB]

Dave,

Just sent a PM regarding wait list for C-Teks. Thanks!

Scott

[vvv90]

Originally Posted by sjz

Don't laugh, I thinking the same thing!
My rotors look beautiful now, but at one time they were grooved like crazy. Most of the grooves had disappeared BEFORE I put the C-Teks on, but the thought keeps bouncing into my head that for the grooves to be gone, the rotor must have worn beyond the depths of the grooves. This means my rotors must be quite worn.
Since my car is one year old on Sunday, I called the dealer to document that my rotors were grooved, and that I'm concerned about excessive wear. I told him that I want to go on record before the car is 1 year old. In 2 weeks (1st time our schedules mesh) I have an appointment for him to check the wear, but he assured me that I am covered time wise.
I'm thinking about re-installing the OEM pads tomorrow (when the temperatures are supposed to dip below 90*) and use them for the 2 weeks, hoping to get some grooves in them! I'll see what happens.

Minimum rotor thickness:
Front: 1.181"
Rear: 1.024"

As it turns out my dealership will replace my rotors with the slotted ones and not touch my pads (now C-teks)

I actually did notice that my rotors were in the same shape as yours....no scoring after a year. However, when I put the C-teks on I started noticing scoring bad on 3 rotors...I checked last night and I have scoring on only one rotor so it started to go away with the C-teks. Yet, I do still have one bad score and that's why they will be replaced.

I just bring this up so that if you don't have any scoring and the dealership turns you away because of this, try installing the C-teks....Don't bed the brakes....let the scoring return and THEN take the car in for the TSB.

[sjz]

Originally Posted by vvv90

As it turns out my dealership will replace my rotors with the slotted ones and not touch my pads (now C-teks)

I actually did notice that my rotors were in the same shape as yours....no scoring after a year. However, when I put the C-teks on I started noticing scoring bad on 3 rotors...I checked last night and I have scoring on only one rotor so it started to go away with the C-teks. Yet, I do still have one bad score and that's why they will be replaced.

I just bring this up so that if you don't have any scoring and the dealership turns you away because of this, try installing the C-teks....Don't bed the brakes....let the scoring return and THEN take the car in for the TSB.

I put the OEM pads back on last Friday (took an hour total... guess I'm getting good!) & am trying to rack up some miles. With about 150, I'm starting to notice that a few circles in the rotor are getting very shiny. If I get new grooves, I guess this is where they'll start.
-Steve

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by sjz

I put the OEM pads back on last Friday (took an hour total... guess I'm getting good!) & am trying to rack up some miles. With about 150, I'm starting to notice that a few circles in the rotor are getting very shiny. If I get new grooves, I guess this is where they'll start.
-Steve

Don't get behind on cleaning your wheels! Those OEM pads really etch the finish.

On a happy note, it looks like the C-Tek pads will arrive in California on Friday, so I'll be contacting many of you who have been waiting so patiently. The "clean wheel club" is about to get a lot bigger.

[2KWK4U]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Don't get behind on cleaning your wheels! Those OEM pads really etch the finish.

On a happy note, it looks like the C-Tek pads will arrive in California on Friday, so I'll be contacting many of you who have been waiting so patiently. The "clean wheel club" is about to get a lot bigger.

Can I get on the list for a full set of these Pads. I will prepay if necessary.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by 2KWK4U

Can I get on the list for a full set of these Pads. I will prepay if necessary.

No pre-payment is necessary. Just go to: http://www.zeckhausen.com/Chrysler/300C_SRT8.htm and scroll down to the description of the C-Tek pads. Right there, you will find instructions for getting onto the waiting list. It won't be a very long wait, since the pads are due in by the end of this week.