Wilwood 11.75 Rotor Defect
 

Up until recently I have been running the inexpensive Wilwood rotors for 5 years without incident. After two track days on a new set of rotors I discovered a substantial crack. I inspected the failed rotor and something did not seem right inside the vented area. In order to get a better view I cut away the opposite surface. What I discovered was that the rotor was literally missing material which I believe to be the result of a defect when the rotor was cast.

I shipped the rotor to Wilwood for inspection and they maintain that the crack is the result of "excessive heat" which was caused by track use or the fact that I cut away the opposite side. I find their explanation to be complete and utter bravo sierra.

Just thought I'd share in the name of safety. I'll be sure to inspect every part that goes on my car more thoroughly in the future.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1467246644

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1467246644

the area that cracked seems thinner and the two circular pieces seem out of place. My guess is that the people at wilwood are high.

I'd agree the rotor is suspect due to what we're seeing after you cut it away.

But in their defense; you pretty much lost me here: "I have been running the inexpensive Wilwood rotors for 5 years without incident. After two track days....."

Knowingly running the "inexpensive" rotors was a choice. And you got 5yrs out of them. Seems every expectation has been met. Make the move to the GT castings and be done with it.

this is why my car has no wilwood products.... except for the master cylinder reservoir. how do you screw up a plastic bottle.

You've told me that many times Johnny...and I'm sure I'll be the first to hear of it when somehow it does fail you!. LOL!

Have a great weekend, and if you're racing; shiny side up!

you if they mess up a little plastic container i will let you know haha.

[QUOTE=Todd TCE;1342882]I'd agree the rotor is suspect due to what we're seeing after you cut it away.

But in their defense; you pretty much lost me here: "I have been running the inexpensive Wilwood rotors for 5 years without incident. After two track days....."

Knowingly running the "inexpensive" rotors was a choice. And you got 5yrs out of them. Seems every expectation has been met. Make the move to the GT castings and be done with it.[/QU

I typically replace my rotors every 2-3 sets of pads since they are so inexpensive. So I've gone through quite a few in my time. No issue with the value. Just letting folks know in case they're using the same bits.

The plan is to go with a different manufacturer in the future. I don't think I can handle another game of run around with Wilwood.

The nice thing about the standard 11.75" .810"-thick 8x7.00" rotors is that you can buy high-quality ones from several manufacturers (including Wilwood - their directional castings are higher quality than the inexpensive straight-vanes).

The Willwood econo line of rotors are made in Mexico. The rest of their line is US made. The commonly used Miata 11" is the 160-5840, the 11.75 is the 160-0471, both Mexico. Fine for street or autocross use but we have always recommended a US made rotor for track use. We have our own US made Supermiata versions of these which are left and right directional. The 11.75 econo wilwood retails for $36 IRC. You get what you pay for.

To be fair, there was no runaround. You bought a cheap rotor for the wrong application and it failed. Real race brakes aren't always cheap. Consider yourself thusly educated :)

Well I guess I'm just the odd ball as I switched from running the straight vein 11.75 rotors, which I've run for 3 or 4 yrs without issue changing them out about twice a yr.. I installed a new set of the directionals this last winter thinking they would help extent pad life and the right front did the same wide crack that the op's did with 4 track days on them. I just ordered a set of the cheapo's again from Andrew since I've never had an issue with them. Guess I'm just lucky.