How to Install Performance Brake Rotors
There are several different types of performance brake rotors that can be installed to upgrade a vehicle's braking, all of which have features that improve the rotor's ability to dissipate heat during repeated and aggressive braking. Slotted rotors have slots machined into their face that help dissipate heat during aggressive braking. Cross-drilled rotors have holes drilled through the rotor for heat dissipation, while vented rotors have vents in the edge of the rotor between the front and back surfaces. Some rotors have all three of these features.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack and jack stands
- Brake cleaner
- Rags
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Socket set and ratchet
- Torx bits (some cars)
- Allen wrenches (some cars)
- Wire or string
Instructions
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1
Loosen the wheel's lug nuts. Jack up the vehicle and place it securely on jack stands. If you have access to a vehicle lift, raise the vehicle to a level where the brakes are easily accessible. Remove the wheels and set them aside.
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2
Spray the brakes liberally with brake cleaner. Using a clean, dry rag wipe the brake components with a rag until they are free of any dirt, oil and potential contaminants.
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3
Inspect the back of the caliper where the caliper is bolted to the caliper mounting bracket. The caliper will be held on with two bolts, which may have a spring clip fastened to them. If there is a spring clip, pry it off with a flat-head screwdriver, taking care not to bend it. The bolts themselves can either be conventional bolts, allen bolts or a star-shaped Torx bolt. Remove the bolts with the socket, ratchet and a breaker bar and set them aside.
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4
Slide the caliper off of the rotor. Since the caliper will still be attached to the brake line, you will need to support the brake line so that the weight of it is not on the brake line, which could potentially damage the line. One way to support the caliper is to tie it to the suspension upright with a zip-tie or a piece of wire.
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5
Remove the caliper mounting bracket with a socket and the ratchet if it prevents the rotor from being removed. This will not be necessary on all vehicles. Inspect the bracket or consult your workshop manual for this step.
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6
Pull the rotor off of the hub. Some rotors are held on with a larger center nut that needs to be removed with a socket, while others are held on with two set screws that recess into the face of the rotor. Some rotors simply slide off. If the rotor is frozen on from moisture and rust, tap it from the back with a rubber mallet.
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7
Clean the mounting surface where the rotor is installed. If you like, you can also place some anti-seize compound on the mounting surface to ease future rotor removal.
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8
Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner and dry it with a clean, dry, oil-free rag. Slide the new rotor onto the hub. If it was removed, bolt the caliper bracket back on. Slide the caliper over the rotor and reinstall the caliper bolts with the socket.
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9
Repeat the above steps for the other three corners of the car. Reinstall the wheels and lower the car back to the ground.
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Tips & Warnings
When installing performance brake rotors, this is also a great time to upgrade the rest of the brake system with performance brake pads and braided-steel lines.
