I've often heard that drilled/cross-drilled rotors are more susceptible to CRACKING. (...Your opinion??) Why is it then that most "high-performance" brake kits (companies like Baer, Brembo, KVR, etc.) offer CROSS-DRILLED rotors? I see a lot of people using cross-drilled, yet from what I've read, ...slotted may be a better way to go. The added stopping ability without increasing the potential of cracking. Curious on your opinions... Thanks
Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
We have the dimpled, GT Rotors. When we bought them, they were supposedly better because they wouldn't crack. I have heard rumors of drilled rotors cracking, but have not seen any photographic evidence from a fellow enthusiast that it's really happened to them.
I think a lot of the problem with cross-drilled rotors cracking is the quality of the engineering behind them. I would feel more confident if the Eradispeeds were warranted against cracking but they are designed to minimize the possibility: the holes are located directly behind the vane structure instead of through it. They are warranted against warping, though
The only real benefits to cross-drilled rotors are reduced weight, outgassing (usually only encountered with new brake pads) and looks. If you're only after better performance, I'd say go with slotted...you can find them for a lot less.
Teri - No kidding...that's why I said if I found them for that price, I'd have to get 'em.
Posted by DROPTAWP (Member # 865) on :
If you do alot of auto-xing, you might run into a cracked cross-drilled rotor occasionally. For a daily driver, I can't see it happening. I have a set of KVR cross-drilled rotors on my 2000 SS 'Vert. No cracks so far!
Slotted rotors, although less prone to cracking, will eat up your pads in a hurry!
DT
Posted by SS3756 (Member # 601) on :
Cross drilled rotors do tend to crack. It really is a question of how hard you are on brakes and how much heat you put into them. Or get them hot and drive through water, they most likely will crack. The best cross drilled rotors are the ones used by Porsche, the holes are not drilled they are in fact cast into the rotor so they are less prone th cracking. Outgassing is not really an issue in modern brake pads like it once was,this was the original reason for the drilling, to allow the gas to escape. Most modern race cars have moved away from drilled to slotted, longer life and just as efficient. One a street car solid rotors will perform just as well as drilled rotors. There is alot of myth in the whole rotor issue, the factory warping problem has not help this but i think most of the warping occured in auto trans cars so it is a hot spot issue cause by people letting the hot pad sit on the rotor after they come to a stop. The cross drilled have the look people are after, the race car look. Are they worth the extra money? I really doubt it, but if YOU like them you should buy them.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Baer states that one of things that make their eradispeeds different is that they are specifically designed to be cross drilled, with thicker discs and internal vanes positioned to strengthen the rotors and protect from cracking.
Posted by KevinK (Member # 1127) on :
Thanks for the feedback everyone...
Posted by DROPTAWP (Member # 865) on :
Posted by Zach Miller (Member # 1530) on :
I have the baer eradispeed rotors that are slotted and cross drilled they are very good and look darn cool too.
