How to Determine Which Rotor Is Warped
- 1). Stay alert when braking. If the steering wheel shudders or vibrates, you rotors may be warped.
- 2). Jack up your vehicle so you can take a closer look at the rotors. With some vehicles, you may be able to see the rotors without removing the wheels. It can be difficult to see if the rotors are warped, however, from this perspective.
- 3). Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with a socket wrench so you can access the rotor and get a better view. Pull the wheel off and set it aside.
- 4). Look at the rotor from the side so you can see the space between the rotor and the brake pad. Slowly spin the wheel while watching the space to check for noticeable differences. If there are slight differences, you may not be able to see them.
- 5). Clean off the rotor with brake cleaning fluid in case the vibration problem is due to residue build-up.
- 6). Check each rotor on your vehicle until you find the one that is warped or eliminate each one. If none of the rotors are warped, see a mechanic to further diagnose the issue.