Had warping issues with my TSX since 30k or so. Replaced the original rotors about 3 years ago with slotted EBC. Same issue after 10k or so and impossible to find someone to machine slotted discs in Austin. Lived with it for another year, was driving me nuts. Replaced them again 6 months ago with Centric plain one and good ceramic pads. Same problem after 5k or so.

What's going on? Is something out of alignment with the hub? Are new rotors always warped out of factory? Firestone is offering to machine them for $140 but am I going to have the same issue in 2 months again? I'm not that aggressive driver, just a little sometimes.

 

Mike, sometimes we get confused with warped rotors.

most of the time, its just pad material left on the rotor.
which would make one side more heavy or seem as if its warped.

When you get this set machined, you'll need to do a proper bed in procedure.

 

I agree with the confusion and I'm not expert but on my rotors I clearly see that the top part is really hit by the pads and the lower part still has the criss-cross pattern that the rotors came with.

This is front rotor


Compared to the smooth back rotor

 

I have been having the SAME problem, and did the same fix... with the same results. The new ECB rotors warped after around 10k as well. And the dealer even checked them... badly warped. Have you had any hard breaking? You know, some idiot decided to pull out in front of you and NOT hit the gas... Happened to my wife and that was when I really noticed the warp.

 

Totally agree. I'm convinced that from some to most of the complaints we read here about "warped rotors" are in fact caused by pad built. If you suspect warped rotors, perform the procedure to re-bed the pads, and chances are your problem will be resolved.

 

thank you for providing pictures, as it really shows whats going on with your set up.

as you noticed, the pad is hitting the top part of the rotor but not the bottom half.
is it the same for the other side?




I would want to investigate the pad material and then the piston it self.

 

That wear pattern is normal. Check any TSX and you'll see that the front pads don't contact the full suface of the rotor. The rear ones do, but that should come as no surprise since the rear rotors are so small.

 

Yes, same on both sides. Pads are new too and were high quality ceramic (I want to say Hawk) and I'm fairly happy with them as far as grip and low dust.

I thought about the piston having issues, but on the tsx the caliper is single piston, correct? So why would it push harder on the top of the pad?

 

What is your favorite procedure for bed in? I read so many different techniques?

 

weird about the TSX' characteristics


there's really only one type of bed in procedure.
60-10mph
without coming to a complete stop.
repeat.

if you come to a complete stop, the pad will melt into the rotor. and you dont want that.

 

60 to 10 mph as fast as possible (hard braking at the limit of the ABS) or more moderate braking? How many times?

That's more or less what I did when they were new. The pulsing pretty much started on day 1, but got much worse over time.

 

Hard braking without activating ABS is usually the recommendation. Best to do 5 cycles.