Rotor wear on 20k mile car - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BASSTUB · 08-19-2015, 01:22 AM

I'm in the market and actively searching for a used ZL1. I found a decent car with 20k miles, but uncovered that the brake rotors had already been replaced due to wear.

To me this indicates that the car was tracked pretty hard. Is that a safe assumption? Or is rotor replacement at 20k miles "normal"? What else could cause the rotors to be worn through in 20k?

The car appears to be all stock, with the exception of a catch can.

I already walked away from the deal, but the car is still available.

Thanks in advance for the info!

mmarx82 · 08-19-2015, 10:03 AM

Go with your gut feeling. There are plenty of ZL1's available. I'm at 37K miles, track my car a good bit and do autocross and DD my car. My rotors are fine and just now needing OEM brake pads replaced.

ZL1DropTop · 08-19-2015, 03:42 PM

I replaced my brakes at around 20k and the shop was able to turn the rotors, but said I was really close to the minimum and that I certainly wouldn't be able to turn them again. at that time I had never tracked the car either. The factory rotors don't have much extra material on them, and I was lucky I was able to turn mine once, so I would say it's not out of the ordinary to have to replace the rotors after 20k even without tracking the car.

z28lt1 · 08-19-2015, 04:12 PM

Rotors are finicky. My daily driver SUV developed a "warped" rotor (yes, likely really uneven pad wear or something similar) within the first 5k and was replaced. While rotor replacement could be indicative of heavy track use, i don't think it is the only reason for it.

If all 4 rotors were replaced, it might be more likely track use, but still not for certain. Also, I'd say it is rare that a completely stock car would be heavily tracked, but it does happen.

mrshanes · 08-20-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z28lt1

If all 4 rotors were replaced, it might be more likely track use, but still not for certain. Also, I'd say it is rare that a completely stock car would be heavily tracked, but it does happen.

It could have been returned to stock before being traded in.

BASSTUB · 08-20-2015, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I will be patient and wait for "the one"!

I simply don't trust this car, and it is not worth the risk.....

08-19-2015, 01:22 AM	#1
BASSTUB Drives: ISO ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 8	Rotor wear on 20k mile car I'm in the market and actively searching for a used ZL1. I found a decent car with 20k miles, but uncovered that the brake rotors had already been replaced due to wear. To me this indicates that the car was tracked pretty hard. Is that a safe assumption? Or is rotor replacement at 20k miles "normal"? What else could cause the rotors to be worn through in 20k? The car appears to be all stock, with the exception of a catch can. I already walked away from the deal, but the car is still available. Thanks in advance for the info!

08-19-2015, 10:03 AM	#2
mmarx82 Drives: '12 ZL1 #1609 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,762	Go with your gut feeling. There are plenty of ZL1's available. I'm at 37K miles, track my car a good bit and do autocross and DD my car. My rotors are fine and just now needing OEM brake pads replaced. __________________ Life is too short to drive cars that suck. My build Thread

08-19-2015, 03:42 PM	#3
ZL1DropTop Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 94	I replaced my brakes at around 20k and the shop was able to turn the rotors, but said I was really close to the minimum and that I certainly wouldn't be able to turn them again. at that time I had never tracked the car either. The factory rotors don't have much extra material on them, and I was lucky I was able to turn mine once, so I would say it's not out of the ordinary to have to replace the rotors after 20k even without tracking the car.

08-19-2015, 04:12 PM	#4
z28lt1 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 289	Rotors are finicky. My daily driver SUV developed a "warped" rotor (yes, likely really uneven pad wear or something similar) within the first 5k and was replaced. While rotor replacement could be indicative of heavy track use, i don't think it is the only reason for it. If all 4 rotors were replaced, it might be more likely track use, but still not for certain. Also, I'd say it is rare that a completely stock car would be heavily tracked, but it does happen.

08-20-2015, 08:42 PM	#6
BASSTUB Drives: ISO ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 8	Thanks for the replies guys. I will be patient and wait for "the one"! I simply don't trust this car, and it is not worth the risk.....