Prevent Brake Rotor Warping Before Mountain Driving

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Inspect rotor surfaces for blue spots or micro-cracks from past overheating.
• Measure rotor thickness at several points to check for even wear.
• Check for excess brake pad material on rotors and clean if present.
• Clean rotor faces with brake cleaner to remove dust buildup.
• Verify caliper slide pins move freely and are properly lubricated.
• Test brake fluid for moisture to reduce risk of fade on descents.
• Ensure wheel lug nuts are torqued evenly to prevent rotor distortion.
• Check brake pad thickness and replace pads if below minimum.
• Spin each wheel after releasing the brake to check for dragging calipers.
• Confirm that wheels do not block airflow to rotors.
• Plan descent routes with stops to allow brake cooling.
• Document rotor condition with photos for post-trip comparison.