[Tech] mazda RX-8 Brake Rotor

[randyrx8]

I am a new Rx-8 owner, only 2 weeks.

I am very disapointed with the front brake rotors, after 200 miles very noticable grooves appeared in the front brake rotors.

I returned it to the dealer and was told this is normal and wil go away. I have never seen grooves in rotors go away, does anyone have experience with this?

The dealer is claiming Mazda refuses to replace them, stating that until there is at least 2000 miles this is considered normal.

I am very concerned at mazda's unwillingness to take resposibilty for defective parts on a NEW car.

I also noticed that all the new mazdas in the lot had extensive rust on the brake rotors. It seems like they are just really low quality, I knw theere is often some surface rust from cars sitting still, but at other manufacture cars there is no where near the amount of rust I am see on all the new mazdas. This seem to be a poor desing especially for a car like the RX-8 with open spoke rims, the front wheels look awful all the time.

Does anyone have any experience with Mazda and thier commitment to warrentee service?

[bencarnut]

Although I don't own an RX-8, I have experience with the service dept of Mazda, being a 6 owner.

The dealerships I visit have always been friendly and willing to explain in depth what occurred and why it occurred. The warranty claims have not been rejected nor have i had to argue with the service managers at the various dealerships. Maybe it is just the dealer you're going to...try taking it somewhere else.

As for the rust problem on the rotors, it's totally normal on any car, like you said. On my car, the rust disappears after driving around town for a few minutes--it doesn't hinder the function of the brakes, only makes them audible the first few times the pads touch the rotors. No big deal imo.

[Rex-8]

I've actually noticed a LOT of rust not just on the rotors themselves, but on the cylinder that the wheel attaches to (sorry about the non-technical description).

I talked to my Mazda dealer about this, and they said that it's "totally normal". I then checked a Mazda 6 at the same lot and it looked like the same parts were painted black with perhaps a thermal paint? Whatever the case is, all the other RX-8's sitting in the lot had TONS of rust on those cylinder things. It is curious as to why they didn't prevent this in the factory for such a flagship sports-car such as this.

I bought a can of engine paint to spray on the affected areas after I clean them... maybe I'll get a Mazda guy to do it. I'm lazy.

As for the groove in the disc, I haven't actually noticed it... I'll check in the morning.

-Rex

[randyrx8]

The grooves I experienced appear to have been abmormal. ALL the 8's I have seen look auwful with rust, but the rotors are smooth where they wear, Mine had significant groves in them from the day a took delivery. Lesson learned "when the salesman say's hey they will go away, and If not theey are warrenteed anyway" don't believe him.

In the end after 3 or 4 visits, and taking it to the district guy I got them replaced for $100, They bought the rotors I had to buy the pads.

my long term concern here is that if I went through this for an obvious defect on delivery, what will happen on somthing else after I have owned that car for 9 months.

Bottom line, this is not the level of service I expected, and not the level of service from a car company that I will purchase another car from.

[eanderson]

I have a 2004 Mazda RX8 with 10,000 miles. I also am having difficulty with my front brakes. I am already getting a vibration when applying the brakes as though the rotors are warped. I have had this occur on other cars (sub's and trucks which pull boat trailers) but not until 20,000+ miles, even under those extreme conditions. I have not had time to contact the dealer towards this issue but it certainly is alarming with such a light car as well as how little I use my brakes (very little hard braking).

I would be curious if anyone has had similar issues as this. If not, look forward to it at the 10k mark.

[crossbow]

Be vary wary about torque specs on the lug nuts. Some dealerships seem to be "over ethusastic" with regards to tighting the lugs. If you push the lugs past torque spec's, it can warp the rotors, as well as if the lug nuts aren't tightened in the proper order (criss-cross star pattern).

If you get your rotors returned, it might be worth while to pick up a nice craftsman torque wrench (they aren't that expensive) and make sure that if you get your tires rotated/balanced, or any type of work done on your wheels, that the lugs are torqued to proper specs. Improper torque spec's on your wheel lugs is one of the #1 causes of rotor warping.

As for the rotor grovings, if they are light surface grooves, I wouldn't think anything of them. These usually exist in the first 2-3k miles, and are gone by 5-10k. Its basically the rotor surface and the pad wearing in together. If you want to see them go away faster, start braking harder .

If the groves are deep enough to be easily felt with a fingernail, thats a totally different problem.

[Rotten42]

I am a new Rx-8 owner, only 2 weeks.

I am very disapointed with the front brake rotors, after 200 miles very noticable grooves appeared in the front brake rotors.

I returned it to the dealer and was told this is normal and wil go away. I have never seen grooves in rotors go away, does anyone have experience with this?

The dealer is claiming Mazda refuses to replace them, stating that until there is at least 2000 miles this is considered normal.

I am very concerned at mazda's unwillingness to take resposibilty for defective parts on a NEW car.

I also noticed that all the new mazdas in the lot had extensive rust on the brake rotors. It seems like they are just really low quality, I knw theere is often some surface rust from cars sitting still, but at other manufacture cars there is no where near the amount of rust I am see on all the new mazdas. This seem to be a poor desing especially for a car like the RX-8 with open spoke rims, the front wheels look awful all the time.

Does anyone have any experience with Mazda and thier commitment to warrentee service?
[/b]

Rust has been a problem and many dealers across North America have been painting the hub and calipers for free. There is also a TSB out there to have the pads replaced for brake squeal. This is the first I have heard for grooves. If this dealer will jot help, either phone Mazda NA of take it to another dealer. So far I have found that Mazda has been quite supportive when dealing with problems. The big problem is that there are a lot of bad dealers out there.

[1979teach]

Rust has been a problem and many dealers across North America have been painting the hub and calipers for free. There is also a TSB out there to have the pads replaced for brake squeal. This is the first I have heard for grooves. If this dealer will jot help, either phone Mazda NA of take it to another dealer. So far I have found that Mazda has been quite supportive when dealing with problems. The big problem is that there are a lot of bad dealers out there.[/b]

I have over 42, 000 miles on my 04 RX-8 and other than some initial squealing of the pads (which the dealer changed) I've had no problems. I painted the non contact parts of my rotors early and this has significantly reduced the rust residue that ends up on my rims. I'm waiting for my pads to wear so I can replace the pads and rotors at the same time. I'm going to replace them with Powerslot rotors which are plated to avoid rusting, and Hawk HPS pads (racingbeat.com) . Mazda just needs to charge a little more for their cars and get some decent rotors.

[millyowner]

The price/performance ratio of the RX-8 is class-leading. Mazda knew a majority of owners would find the factory brakes more than adequate and any more would either come at added cost, weight, noise, etc. The rust thing sounds like a mild oversight that was addressed early on and also an issue that Mazda is willing to rectify on early-production cars at customer request. At least there is strong aftermarket support for the RX-8. So many pad/rotor choices to meet very specific needs.

[Rex]

I'm very deceived by Mazda cars because they have many defects in many parts and Customer service either has no solution or a very poor one. I own a Mazda Rx-8 and I have the same problems as the other owners have, like the brakes. The Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 also have defects. I as a owner do not recommend Mazda's cars. There is one dealer over here and they are very rude and incompetent.