I have a wobble in the front when i slightly hit the brakes like i have a warped rotor. Is it worth spending the money on slotted and drilled rotors? 2001 F350 dually 7.3 auto. Owner of Outlaw Motorsports. That also means the disadvantages of both drilled and slotted rotors apply to this product. If you’re thinking about a disc replacement today, then here are the pros and cons of drilled and slotted rotors to think about. List of the Pros of Drilled and Slotted Rotors. They work better in wet climates when frequent precipitation occurs. The following terms apply to all bonuses offered on 777.com (including the Welcome Bonus): Currencies: 777.com offers play in one of the five following currencies in accordance with the member's personal preference: US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, GBP, Are Drilled And Slotted Rotors Worth The Money SEK or Euros. Whenever a currency is mentioned (in connection with bonuses, deposit eligibility. This front and rear brake kit includes drilled/slotted brake rotors and ceramic brake pads. It's designed for a variety of Dodge Ram 1500 pickups, Chrysler Aspens, and Dodge Durangos. Its dual-layer, high-temperature rubberized shims promote near-silent braking, while the drilled and slotted rotors are designed to be a cooling element. The decision as to whether your discs should be slotted or cross drilled depends on the vehicle use, performance aspirations and vehicle style. “If your brakes are working hard for their money and you want nothing but the best, invest in T3 slotted rotors.

Unless you’re driving a high-end sports car, your car’s brake system is mostly likely equipped with blank brake rotors. Also called smooth or plain rotors, blank rotors work well for most of the driving population, so there’s little reason for most drivers to consider anything else, like slotted rotors. So, what are slotted rotors good for?

For most drivers, blank rotors offer the right mix of braking efficiency and thermal efficiency. If you’re a spirited driver, spend weekends at the track, or tow or haul regularly, slotted rotors can be an improvement. Most slotted rotors feature straight grooves crossing the brake pad path, usually at a tangent to the hub circle. Some slotted rotors also feature curved grooves.

Energy Conversion in the Brake System

The brake system is an energy conversion device. Using friction, the brakes convert kinetic energy (the momentum of your vehicle) into thermal energy (heat), which is absorbed by the brake pads and rotors. The heat eventually radiates to the air or is conducted to other parts of the vehicle, like the wheels, axles, bearings and knuckles. For the average driver, automakers build brake systems to handle a certain amount of heat, how much can be absorbed by the system and how fast it dissipates.

Heat Absorption: Because 70% of braking occurs in the vehicle’s front end, front brakes are heavier than rear brakes, enabling them to absorb more heat. Rear brakes don’t need to absorb as much heat, so solid rear rotors are still common on many vehicles. Some use old-style rear drum brakes for that reason.
Heat Dissipation: To dissipate heat faster, most vehicles are equipped with ventilated front rotors, using airflow to transfer heat to the air. For even more heat dissipation, heavy vehicles, sports cars and work trucks may also be equipped with ventilated rear rotors.

What Are Slotted Rotors’ Advantages and Disadvantages?

Slotted rotors are superior to blank rotors in some ways. Slotted rotor grooves offer two distinct benefits under heavy braking: brake fade, from high-temperature brake pad outgassing, can be significantly reduced, allowing gases to escape through the slots; and the grooves shave off thin layers of brake pad material, reducing glazing and improving braking consistency.

Still, slotted rotors have some disadvantages. Depending on the type of grooving, noises and vibrations are par for the course. The brakes are functioning properly, but their aggressive nature may be off-putting to some drivers. And because of the constant shaving action, brake pad life may be shorter than if they were mated with blank rotors. You may also have a hard time finding someone to machine slotted rotors, even if they’re thick enough to resurface. Some urban legends die hard — they’re just not as forgiving as blank rotors.

Drilled And Slotted Rotors

Slotted rotors are available for many vehicle types, even economy vehicles. If you’re hard on your brakes and you can stand to give up a little comfort and longevity, slotted brakes could be your ticket to better braking.

Check out all the brake system parts and accessories available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on slotted rotors, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Are Slotted Rotors Worth The Money

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Benjamin Jerew View All

Ebc Slotted Rotors

Ben has been taking things apart since he was 5, and putting them back together again since he was 8. After dabbling in DIY repairs at home and on the farm, he found his calling in the CGCC Automobile Repair program. After he held his ASE CMAT for 10 years, Ben decided he needed a change. Now, he writes on automotive topics across the web and around the world, including new automotive technology, transportation legislation, emissions, fuel economy and auto repair.

July 02, 2020

Drilled And Slotted Brake Rotors Vs Plain

Blank/Standard/Smooth/Plain Rotors

The majority of cars come standard with so called Blank rotors, with the obvious exception of luxury or sport vehicles. Blank rotors have plain and smooth braking surfaces without any elaborate features such as machined grooves or drilled holes. Factory plain rotors are designed to provide a reliable performance under all normal circumstances of your daily commuting. These rotors are often uncoated, and can be either solid or vented depending on position and application.

Quality blanks from AllRotors come in two options: Uncoated (Steel) and Coated with Geomet for protection from rust. Both rotors are designed to match or exceed the OEM performance providing excellent stopping power under normal conditions. Blank rotors are simple but robust, and unlike cheap no-name drilled & slotted rotors, our blank rotors are not prone to cracking under heavier applications. Some of our customers are even using AllRotors blanks for recreational track racing by pairing them with our semi-metallic braking pads. The uninterrupted precision-ground braking surface provides structural integrity and reliability, and metallic pad compound provides high breaking power and better heat removal to lower the chance of warping. This combo is very cost-effective and can be replaced frequently without breaking the bank.
Drilled & Slotted Rotors

These rotors have drilled holes and machined grooves cut in the braking surfaces where the pad makes contact. The through-holes are designed to evacuate the braking dust, offset gasses, and moisture that prevent good contact between pads and rotor during breaking. The slots are design to constantly shave off the low-friction glazing layer that is produced on pads due to overheating. Together holes and slots enhance the contact friction between the pad and the rotor, providing superior braking power in harsher conditions. Two things are worth noting. Firstly, these features come at a cost, as the production of the rotor becomes more complex and time consuming. Secondly, a performance rotor will not reduce your car’s original stopping distance, as this is mostly influenced by your tire bite and brake pad material.

Which rotor type is right for you?

Are Slotted Rotors Worth The Extra Money

Your driving style and conditions are two biggest factors in determining which rotor style is best suited for you. For a commuter vehicle all rotor styles will perform similarly well, considering that the rotors are of good quality from a reputable manufacturer. However, if you live in a wet climate or have a demanding application such towing, you may consider upgrading to our Drilled & Slotted performance rotors to enhance your braking performance.