I just replaced the pads (Hawk HPS), rotors (4 Brembo Blanks) and calipers (DORMAN, all 4 new) and the braking is better than ever. However, I have noticed that the rotor surface is quite a bit darker than expected. I keep comparing to other cars, and mine seems to be darker by quite a bit.

I am wondering (for those who have the same combo of pads/rotors) if you noticed a darker rotor surface as well?

Is it most likely just the material from the pad? The rotor seems to have a dark blue cast all around the very corner of the circumference.

Input anyone?

 

are you talking about dust? You cleaned everything correctly before installing yes?

 

Dust may accumulate but I am not certain it will color my rotor so dark. I have not tried cleaning since install, but all parts were BRAND NEW before install, so no cleaning was necessary (I did clean rotor surface, yes).

 

ok well as long as you cleaned the rotors they should be fine. My guess is that it is the dust. You didn't have any problem when you installed right? Only after driving and breaking them in?

 

i think hes talking about the surface of the rotor...which shouldnt get too dusty.

you should try to take a picture if you can. i remember my old rotors had a dark tint to them too. but i dont know what kinda they were as i was not the owner when they were put on. if they seem to be working fine, and the darkness is not in a certain spot (which would indicate sticking caliper, although all 4 are new) than i probably wouldnt worry about it too much.

 

Oh if you did mean the surface then yeah it's probably just the rotor. If nothing is sticking or anything you should be fine.

 

It's probably the transfer layer. Higher temp brake pads actually transfer and embed pad material into the cast iron rotor surface. This should be noticeable after bedding in.

Dave

 

Sound like you should have gotten some cross-drilled rotors for those high temp pads

 

???

10char

 

Better heat dissipation and gas venting, might cut down on material transfer?

 

You WANT some material transfer on the higher temp pads. That's the point of the whole bedding in process.

Dave

 

Funny you should say. I just had some Brembo blanks tossed on my car too and noticed the darker surface as well. Like degeesaman said, it's most likely the initial pad transfer that happens during the bedding process. I've noticed the rotor getting lighter as I go though, and expect them to be all shiny and pretty after the process is over (bout 500 or so miles) We'll see.......

 

I too agree that it is material transfer. My fear was that the rotor was heating too much, but I realized that it would take much longer than a few weeks to be darkening due to overheating...and don't get me started on cross-drilled rotors...

 

I had that combo on my last car, never noticed that, just break the pads in according to the directions and you should be allset