Drilled/Slotted Rotors

[Marcus018]

Everyone,

 

Im looking into getting drilled/slotted rotors for my 2010 se due to getting new rims that show more of the rotor and not wanting to see the brown the OEM rotors turned to. Any suggestions on brands and or whether they would be worth it?

 

Thanks!

[xmech2k]

Of course other than looks, those rotors are pretty much wasted money unless you're doing some real hot laps at a race track, but you got me wondering, won't they just get rusty and discolored as well? Are they made of a different steel that won't rust? I'm off to do a little investigating...

[xmech2k]

Here's a little debate..

 

Drilled/slotted vs standard

 

Someone mentions they're prone to cracking.

 

And here's one from a Corvette forum with pics.

 

Drilled rotors vs slotted

 

They look brown and rusty, too. Maybe high temp paint on the non braking surfaces would help?

Edited October 31, 2010 by xmech2k

[Marcus018]

Thanks for the info xmech2k... i didn't think they turned brown like that. Some of the one's I found said they are coated with Zinc to prevent turning brown but common sense tells me they can't stay silver forever. Plus I would be pretty ticked if they cracked too! May just put up with the OEM ones.

Edited October 31, 2010 by Marcus018

[xmech2k]

Well I found these...

 

Brake dust shields

 

They're for 08-09, but I guess that might change when you have aftermarket rims. Only thing is, I wonder how they would look, and then wouldn't they kind of keep some cooling air off the brakes? I'm thinking they might look funny on really open rims, but it's just a thought.

 

I also had another thought on those drilled rotors on the Corvette site. i wonder if those were just standard rotors and someone went at them on a drill press and didn't bother deburring the holes. Don't know if that's a big factor on those, but not deburring could make cracking easier.

Edited October 31, 2010 by xmech2k

[NHFocus]

If you were still considering this- I'd recommend staying away from drilled/slotted. Drilled rotors are prone to cracking, and slotted rotors cause a lot of vibration, as well as pad wear. They typically cut the brake pd life in half, and your wheels will be constantly covered in brake dust.

 

I'd get a quality rotor from an aftermarket manufactured, preferably just vented. Any of the higher end setups shouldn't turn brown/rust except after sitting or after a rainstorm. My SVT brakes on the Focus are never brown...always shiny silver, as such:

 

Edited November 24, 2010 by NHFocus

[2010SEL]

...but you got me wondering, won't they just get rusty and discolored as well? Are they made of a different steel that won't rust? I'm off to do a little investigating...

 

Obviously the swept area will still rust. But the edges and the center hub can be plated, usually with nickel or cad. When you buy the aftermarket rotors it is usually an option to get the plating. I can't recall the brand of rotors I bought but they are drilled and slotted, as well as being nickel plated. No problems in over a year and they still look good. I can look tomorrow and see what kind they are if anyone's interested.

Edited November 24, 2010 by 2010SEL

[Dyoct]

Approx. 7K on my rears. No problems thus far. Haven't noticed if wheels are dirtier or not. Shouldn't be, went with Ford OEM pads since they lasted so long to begin with.