2011 Civic LX... why I love this car? Many reasons but one that might sound silly but it's true, it's the first car I've owned in about 30 years where the front rotors didn't warp. I'm very easy on brakes but maybe it's the winter climate or something. Every car gets that shake after a year or two and the local mechanics don't turn rotors they just replace them for $$$. So then I'm stuck driving with brake shake for years.

So now at 80k miles with the factory rotors/pads still on, the wear indicators started making noise and I need brake pads and am wondering, should I just get pads done and skip the rotors because I don't want some cheap aftermarket junk rotor that warps 6 months down the road. If I have to do a rotor is a Honda OEM or some other specific brand part more likely to not warp? The Honda dealer whom I'd rather not deal with wants to turn them, the local wrench who is an honest and inexpensive guy but has sort of the cheap parts are fine mentality that I have to fight a bit at times says that's a waste of money. But he will put whatever rotor I specify on if I request and pay for it. Any input appreciated.

 

Whenever you have warped rotors, it's best to do a lateral run out test on the hub to make sure the hub isn't distorted. I've found most of the time the hub is warped which is going to cause any rotor on there to warp almost immediately as well. When they use the machine to turn the rotors while they are still on the car then the machine will account for the warpage which is why they do a decent job but when a rotor is warped eventually it will find a way to get it to warp, causing the brake pulsation issues eventually, within a certain amount of time.

So just find a mechanic that knows how to do a proper brake lateral run out test and ask them to test the hubs first. If the hub is good then you know almost any new rotor, no matter what brand, will be fine.

 

Well if I have to replace them is there a brand that is better quality? The Honda OEM's seem to cost triple or more the off market brands and I can't find any discussion of why they might be better.

 

I use Honda OEM S2000 front rotors on my Civic Si ( replaced stock front callipers with Civic Type R Brembo four piston mono bloc calipers from Japan ) and I brake hard often to ensure that they are used well. No rotor warp or shudder detected so far. I can attest that Honda OEM parts are best because you are paying for quality and proper fitment, not generic stuff for fleet cars and such.

My 2 cents, but I suggest you pony up the bucks for OEM parts.

 

Leave em. If they aren't in bad shape don't even turn them.

when you put the wheels back on you gotta torque down the lug nuts to 80ft lbs. if you over torque, you warp the rotors when you heat them up. It's worse on the 4 lug style than the 5 lug but it happens.