Wilwood Technical Information
| Housing
End Dimensions Check here to help determine the correct rear brake kit to purchase |
Disc
Brake Calipers and Dimensions Images of various calipers and their dimensions |
| Rotor Bedding | |
| Caliper Mounting | Rotor Runout |
| Rotor Performance | Rotor Wear |
| Rotor Pre-Bedding Service | Calculating Caliper Piston Area |
Wilwood Engineering produces over 80 different types of high performance rotors designed specifically for racing applications. Although a rotors basic function is to disburse energy (in the form of heat) created by the brake pads clamping onto the rapidly rotating rotor, how well a rotor performs this job under the extremes of racing is why Wilwood rotors are considered the best in the industry.
The key elements involved in a high performance rotor are:
Wilwood engineers address these critical questions and others when designing rotors. Because race cars differ in their braking requirements, Wilwood has developed both specific designs and specialized materials and manufacturing techniques to accommodate different performance criteria.
Typical GT Vented Rotor
Wilwood vented rotors are designed for maximum cooling. The internal vanes pump cool air from the center of the wheel and take heat away from the rotor, allowing rotor temperatures to decrease. Wilwood has designed special curved vane and straight vane rotors to effectively pump large volumes of air to rapidly disburse this heat (energy). Specially formulated iron is used to enhance the stability of the rotor while allowing difficult castings in complex vane configurations to be produced. Wilwood’s proprietary casting techniques are the result of over 20 years of vented rotor research and development. All rotors are then Blanchard ground to assure parallel rotor faces, and high performance heavy duty rotors are grooved to improve cleaning of the pads and allow hot gases built up from pad materials operating at high temperatures to vent.
Wilwood specialty solid steel rotors are used when rapid thermal cycles occur and material stability is required (for example, when a high speed dragster running cool brakes must quickly brake from 300 mph). Under such conditions specialty steels are used, often cross drilled to reduce rotational weight. Wilwood also manufactures special street rod and pro series solid rotors where performance requirements are not as strenuous.
For all rotor designs, Wilwood conducts extensive in-house dynamometer testing to measure results of rotors under the most demanding conditions, This unique testing, teamed with extensive research and development and track testing assure the racer of the best quality high performance rotors available.
New Rotor Bedding-in Procedure:
All new iron and steel rotors should be bedded in before being used under racing conditions. Proper bedding in will prolong the rotors life and make it more resistant to thermal checking or cracking under severe braking conditions. The following procedures should always be followed when bedding in rotors:
Rotor run out should be adjusted as soon as you receive your Wilwood components. Wilwood rotors are Blanchard ground to ensure the rotor surfaces are flat and parallel. Sometimes hubs, bearings or other components have run out that cause the rotor to run out. Allowable run out is .005 – .008. Adjust the run out by placing shims between the rotor and hub, or hat. Run out should be rechecked every week. You can assume the run out to be acceptable as long as you are not experiencing brake drag, pedal oscillation or piston knock back.
Rotors will eventually start to show signs of wear; how fast depends on the type of racing, the frequency, and the brake usage. Grooving and/or cracking due to severe heat and thermal cycling indicate the rotor should be replaced. Note that surface checking itself is not a sign a rotor needs replacing as this can occur on iron rotors. Always replace rotor mounting bolts and lock wire whenever replacing rotors, taking care to inspect mounting hats or hubs for signs of abuse.
Wilwood offers many of their rotors available "PRE" bedded-in at the factory utilizing a computerized brake dynamometer that ensures a consistent "bed" from rotor to rotor. This yields "ready-to-race" rotors which eliminates valuable practice laps when time is at a premium.
Calculating Caliper Piston Area
Telephone
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408-559-6633
FAX
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408-559-5283
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Postal
Address
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1436 White Oaks Rd. #7 Campbell CA. 95008
ACCEPTED Send E-mail to gofast@magnumforce.com
Return Policy: We here at Magnum Force will make every effort possible to ensure all of our customers get the correct and highest quality components with the best advice available. In the event an item still needs to be returned please take note of these considerations.
Please call or e-mail us first for a return authorization number. (Perhaps we can find you the correct item instead). Packages will not be delivered without this number present.
No returns on special order or custom fabricated parts. Such as, but not limited to rearend assemblies, etc.
Returns must be in as new condition in original packaging.
No returns after 30 days. Items that have been used, installed, modified, or altered cannot be returned. Items subject up to 30% re-boxing or re-stocking fee and shipping costs cannot be refunded.