Centric rotor has gash from factory! (pics) - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

TNM6i · 10-30-2009, 08:07 AM

I ordered Hawk HPS pads and Centric Premium blank rotors from TireRack. The package arrived yesterday, just in time for my planned brake job this weekend. I took the rotors out of the box, unwrapped the plastic and began cleaning off the coating and inspecting them. I was shocked to find a deep gash on the outer edge of one of the rotors! Clearly this was done during manufacturing and before milling the surface as the black "E-Coating" was applied inside the gash. Here's a pic showing the defect:

Would this gash cause me any problems with pad wear or noise? I'm really dissapointed in the quality of the Centrics based on this. I have to change brakes this weekend since my stock pads are all but gone at 52k. The rotors feel like they are good shape, so I'm thinking about just having them turned and leaving it at that. I'd really like to use the Centrics, but I'm not sure about that gash. Looks like the pad sweep will cover the gash and I'm not sure what problems that may cause. Any input?

MrTea · 10-30-2009, 03:08 PM

tire rack has a great return policy, just contact them and they'll replace it quickstyle. i would imagine a brake job could wait a week of daily driving unless you really have no pad left i guess.

i really don't see the gash being an issue with pad life really, and as you said it looks like it was done at machining, so as long as it's balanced i really doubt there will be an issue. BUT, why chance it? if you can, just get one that you don't have to assume will work.

TNM6i · 10-30-2009, 07:49 PM

They are overnighting me one for Saturday FedEx delivery. They had no issue with replacing it and matching the two-day shipping I originally paid for, but I talked them into overnighting it and sending a call tag for the defective one. I hope this is just a fluke as I've read good reviews of the Centric rotors. I am a bit concerned because, according to the box, these are made in China. I thought they were made elsewhere?? Oh well, they seem like great quality aside from the gash and I think the non-directional, double-disc ground finish will help bed the pads in properly. The brake job shall continue as planned thanks to TireRack's customer service!

MrTea · 10-31-2009, 05:36 AM

Centric is one of the largest brake mfr's in the world, and they get material and produce parts in many different parts of the world. They've been around for a long time, which tends to say something. i'm sure you just got one that made it through the system somehow.

TNM6i · 10-31-2009, 02:17 PM

Yeah, I'm sure they are good quality overall.

Now my next problem is getting the old rotors off. Those retention screws are a major pain! I got an impact driver and beat the ever-loving crap out of it, but the screws won't budge. I don't have access to an oxyacetylene torch, so I tried a small propane torch and heated on the rotor for about 3 minutes. Still nothing! I'm thinking the impact driver I got from Autozone is crap. Not sure what to do now.

jd42 · 10-31-2009, 02:23 PM

QUOTE (TNM6i @ Oct 31 2009, 02:17 PM)

Quote:

Those retention screws are a major pain! I got an impact driver and beat the ever-loving crap out of it, but the screws won't budge.[/b]

Some of mine came out with the impact driver. Those that just rounded out I drilled and used a screw extractor (which worked like a charm).

TNM6i · 10-31-2009, 04:40 PM

Ended up just drilling them out after breaking the bit of the impact driver off in the screw head. Driver side done, now to the passenger side.

Spazdog · 10-31-2009, 06:21 PM

I don't think it would have any negative effect. No difference whatsoever

But you paid for a perfect rotor, not a blemished one. So you deserve a perfect rotor.

the mazda · 12-16-2009, 03:40 AM

how can you tell if its blemished? mines a little rough but i think it's still fine ..

10-30-2009, 08:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
TNM6i Rally Racer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 1,173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I ordered Hawk HPS pads and Centric Premium blank rotors from TireRack. The package arrived yesterday, just in time for my planned brake job this weekend. I took the rotors out of the box, unwrapped the plastic and began cleaning off the coating and inspecting them. I was shocked to find a deep gash on the outer edge of one of the rotors! Clearly this was done during manufacturing and before milling the surface as the black "E-Coating" was applied inside the gash. Here's a pic showing the defect: Would this gash cause me any problems with pad wear or noise? I'm really dissapointed in the quality of the Centrics based on this. I have to change brakes this weekend since my stock pads are all but gone at 52k. The rotors feel like they are good shape, so I'm thinking about just having them turned and leaving it at that. I'd really like to use the Centrics, but I'm not sure about that gash. Looks like the pad sweep will cover the gash and I'm not sure what problems that may cause. Any input? __________________ <span style="font-family:Tahoma">2006 6i Grand Sport \| Glacier Silver Metallic Smoked LED Rear Reflectors \| Smoked LED Sidemarkers \| LED Lighting \| CX-7 Antenna \| Airbox Mod \| 17" Enkei RP03s Future Plans: Window Tint \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| Racing Beat Axle-Back Exhaust</span>

10-30-2009, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrTea Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 8,150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	tire rack has a great return policy, just contact them and they'll replace it quickstyle. i would imagine a brake job could wait a week of daily driving unless you really have no pad left i guess. i really don't see the gash being an issue with pad life really, and as you said it looks like it was done at machining, so as long as it's balanced i really doubt there will be an issue. BUT, why chance it? if you can, just get one that you don't have to assume will work. __________________ '03 Lapis(mostly) 6i...Tranny swap by Gillis Motorsports : MTX-75 5speed tranny, 4.06 gears, Torsen LSD & chromoly axles, Engine build by Gillis Motorsports: 9:1 Supertech Pistons, Crower rods, Supertech valves, springs & retainers, ARP head & main studs, F2 Stage2 Turbo, Custom F2 engine/tranny mounts, 3" Turboback exhaust, Tein Basic Coilovers, Brembo Big Brake Kit and Rotora Rear Rotors, RacingBeat Front & Rear Sways, Seibon OEM hood, VF Engineering rear engine mount, Powdercoated Valvecover, TEIN hood dampers, Some sort of Body Kit from some company usually last dyno 8/23, 10psi...260HP/267TQ Still need: Seat, cage, Gillis suspension...then i'm DONE!!

10-30-2009, 07:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
TNM6i Rally Racer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 1,173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	They are overnighting me one for Saturday FedEx delivery. They had no issue with replacing it and matching the two-day shipping I originally paid for, but I talked them into overnighting it and sending a call tag for the defective one. I hope this is just a fluke as I've read good reviews of the Centric rotors. I am a bit concerned because, according to the box, these are made in China. I thought they were made elsewhere?? Oh well, they seem like great quality aside from the gash and I think the non-directional, double-disc ground finish will help bed the pads in properly. The brake job shall continue as planned thanks to TireRack's customer service! __________________ <span style="font-family:Tahoma">2006 6i Grand Sport \| Glacier Silver Metallic Smoked LED Rear Reflectors \| Smoked LED Sidemarkers \| LED Lighting \| CX-7 Antenna \| Airbox Mod \| 17" Enkei RP03s Future Plans: Window Tint \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| Racing Beat Axle-Back Exhaust</span>

10-31-2009, 05:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
MrTea Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 8,150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Centric is one of the largest brake mfr's in the world, and they get material and produce parts in many different parts of the world. They've been around for a long time, which tends to say something. i'm sure you just got one that made it through the system somehow. __________________ '03 Lapis(mostly) 6i...Tranny swap by Gillis Motorsports : MTX-75 5speed tranny, 4.06 gears, Torsen LSD & chromoly axles, Engine build by Gillis Motorsports: 9:1 Supertech Pistons, Crower rods, Supertech valves, springs & retainers, ARP head & main studs, F2 Stage2 Turbo, Custom F2 engine/tranny mounts, 3" Turboback exhaust, Tein Basic Coilovers, Brembo Big Brake Kit and Rotora Rear Rotors, RacingBeat Front & Rear Sways, Seibon OEM hood, VF Engineering rear engine mount, Powdercoated Valvecover, TEIN hood dampers, Some sort of Body Kit from some company usually last dyno 8/23, 10psi...260HP/267TQ Still need: Seat, cage, Gillis suspension...then i'm DONE!!

10-31-2009, 02:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
TNM6i Rally Racer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 1,173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Yeah, I'm sure they are good quality overall. Now my next problem is getting the old rotors off. Those retention screws are a major pain! I got an impact driver and beat the ever-loving crap out of it, but the screws won't budge. I don't have access to an oxyacetylene torch, so I tried a small propane torch and heated on the rotor for about 3 minutes. Still nothing! I'm thinking the impact driver I got from Autozone is crap. Not sure what to do now. __________________ <span style="font-family:Tahoma">2006 6i Grand Sport \| Glacier Silver Metallic Smoked LED Rear Reflectors \| Smoked LED Sidemarkers \| LED Lighting \| CX-7 Antenna \| Airbox Mod \| 17" Enkei RP03s Future Plans: Window Tint \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| Racing Beat Axle-Back Exhaust</span>

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10-31-2009, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
TNM6i Rally Racer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 1,173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Ended up just drilling them out after breaking the bit of the impact driver off in the screw head. Driver side done, now to the passenger side. __________________ <span style="font-family:Tahoma">2006 6i Grand Sport \| Glacier Silver Metallic Smoked LED Rear Reflectors \| Smoked LED Sidemarkers \| LED Lighting \| CX-7 Antenna \| Airbox Mod \| 17" Enkei RP03s Future Plans: Window Tint \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| Racing Beat Axle-Back Exhaust</span>

10-31-2009, 06:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Spazdog Track Racer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 738 Thanks: 31 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I don't think it would have any negative effect. No difference whatsoever But you paid for a perfect rotor, not a blemished one. So you deserve a perfect rotor. __________________

12-16-2009, 03:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
the mazda Drivers License Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	how can you tell if its blemished? mines a little rough but i think it's still fine ..