RIGHT FRONT BLAKE SCORIATED

[K9 EXPERT]

I have a 2019 Raptor that occasionally makes a very slight rumble and steering wheel vibration at slow speeds with and without depressing the brake. I took it to Les Schwab yesterday for a brake inspection (63k on the clock). The technician told be the pads are all smooth and have about 6mm that remain. However the RF rotor has a grove cut into it and he could not determine how it occurred. He recommended the replacement of the front two rotors…..because they should always be replaced in pairs. He wants to replace them with “notched” rotors because the notched rotors dissipate heat “”much better.” I receive the repair estimate Monday. Could the grove in the rotor cause the rumble and vibration? Any feedback on notched rotors? Many thanks!

 

[EricM]

Rumple and vibe at slow speeds with no brakes could be the tire tread. Did you get new tires?

I've noticed that before when going from an all season that most trucks come with, to an all terrain tire with some real tread on it. Right before you come to a stop there is a small rumble- and it's from the bigger tread blocks/voids slowly moving over the road.

 

[blwn]

Most likely the vibration you're feeling is IWE / wheel bearing related.

Depending on how bad the groove is, it's not a bad idea to replace both rotors. Notched rotors don't dissipate heat better

 

[EricM]

Yea, forgot to add- do not run slotted rotors if you do get the brakes done. That is just creating more vibrations. Had them, felt the vibes, would not run again. It's minor, but it's there. You can feel it under high-speed heavy braking. I have no desire to ever run a slotted rotor again. They look cool, but otherwise I'll pass.

 

[smurfslayer]

Could the grove in the rotor cause the rumble and vibration? Any feedback on notched rotors?

I don’t think by itself that’s a cause for a vibration. The vib. is while you are not braking, correct?

what about light, medium and heavy braking, any steering shimmy or pulsing during stopping?

Does the truck pull, either direction under any conditions other than road crown?

I agree with the previous posters here, if you’re not braking while the vibe is occurring, less likely to be brakes... Unless maybe a stuck or bound caliper and I think that would be introducing other symptoms as well - asymmetric brake wear, etc.

I’ve never had slotted rotors or drilled rotors, and am going to defer on that topic.

 

[K9 EXPERT]

Rumple and vibe at slow speeds with no brakes could be the tire tread. Did you get new tires?

I've noticed that before when going from an all season that most trucks come with, to an all terrain tire with some real tread on it. Right before you come to a stop there is a small rumble- and it's from the bigger tread blocks/voids slowly moving over the road.

No, the tires have about 25k miles. intermittently, I feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel, and it occurs exactly at the same time I hear the rumble.

 

[K9 EXPERT]

Most likely the vibration you're feeling is IWE / wheel bearing related.

Depending on how bad the groove is, it's not a bad idea to replace both rotors. Notched rotors don't dissipate heat better

Is there a downside to notched rotors?

 

[K9 EXPERT]

Yea, forgot to add- do not run slotted rotors if you do get the brakes done. That is just creating more vibrations. Had them, felt the vibes, would not run again. It's minor, but it's there. You can feel it under high-speed heavy braking. I have no desire to ever run a slotted rotor again. They look cool, but otherwise I'll pass.

The technician told me the slotted rotors COULD cause a slight sound during light breaking, he never told me about vibrations, that is what I am trying to remedy. Thank you.

 

[K9 EXPERT]

I don’t think by itself that’s a cause for a vibration. The vib. is while you are not braking, correct?

what about light, medium and heavy braking, any steering shimmy or pulsing during stopping?

Does the truck pull, either direction under any conditions other than road crown?

I agree with the previous posters here, if you’re not braking while the vibe is occurring, less likely to be brakes... Unless maybe a stuck or bound caliper and I think that would be introducing other symptoms as well - asymmetric brake wear, etc.

I’ve never had slotted rotors or drilled rotors, and am going to defer on that topic.

That is the difficult part, occasionally I hear the rumble without brake pressure, and it occurs intermittently. However, the vast majority of the time they occur together. Both, cause a slight vibration in the steering wheel. it is funny you mentioned, if it pulled in either direction. Although I cannot say for certain, I believe it recently started to pull to the right when I apply brake pressure and it is the RF rotor that is grooved.
Obviously, I do not know anything about the mechanical function of a vehicle, why would the technician recommend slotted rotors and does anyone have any idea as to the reason a groove occurred on the rotor? The technician also told me that they do not replace brake pads without replacing calipers, is that correct?

 

[Nex]

Swap tires front to rear and see if it changes.