Need new rotors - OEM vs AcDelco Severe Duty

[djw88]

On 5/9/2020 at 4:33 PM, dieselfan1 said:

Nobody does that any more do they?

Rotors are fairly cheap .

most reputable parts stores will turn rotors usually about $15 each, much cheaper than a new set of rotors.

[sk]

Just be careful -- not all the OE and ACDelco rotors are FNC.  They sell "standard" ones, "coated" ones (not FNC but it is hard to tell that), and "FNC" ones, both in GM OEM and ACDelco brands.  The FNC ones are actually very hard to come by.  The coated ones are still very good and will last long too just not as long as the FNC ones.

 

As a side note -- FNC rotors should NOT be turned down.  Any shop that is doing that will definitely "smooth" the surface but they are actually removing the FNC (that's where the GM minimum thickness requirement comes in since it relates to the depth of the process into the steel surface).  FNC is not a coating; it actually changes the metal properties to a certain depth in the rotor.  After that layer is removed the rotors are basically just untreated steel and will warp/shred faster than even cheap auto store rotors.

Edited May 21, 2020 by sk

[rav3]

1 hour ago, sk said:

Just be careful -- not all the OE and ACDelco rotors are FNC.  They sell "standard" ones, "coated" ones (not FNC but it is hard to tell that), and "FNC" ones, both in GM OEM and ACDelco brands.  The FNC ones are actually very hard to come by.  The coated ones are still very good and will last long too just not as long as the FNC ones.

 

As a side note -- FNC rotors should NOT be turned down.  Any shop that is doing that will definitely "smooth" the surface but they are actually removing the FNC (that's where the GM minimum thickness requirement comes in since it relates to the depth of the process into the steel surface).  FNC is not a coating; it actually changes the metal properties to a certain depth in the rotor.  After that layer is removed the rotors are basically just untreated steel and will warp/shred faster than even cheap auto store rotors.

@sk......Let me clarify the FNCing. It's not a coating. It's a "Nitriding" process where nitrogen will penetrate the subsurface of the metal about .0002" to .0005 (that's tenths) & makes it about Rc 60-65 on the Rockwell hardness scale. They have found that it provides 'some' benefit to have the rotors last longer & possibly not warp (as much) which led to lesser warranty work/replacements.  You can do this with a gas Nitrating or a solution bath Nitrating. My tool shop had our own heat treat department & we did this all the time until the Liquid nitriding became an environmental issue & the cost to dispose of the material. 

I personally believe the "coated" rotors would resist rusting more, especially on the internal vanes of the rotors, wheather the were nitrided (FNC) or not. Just my .02 worth.

[Joe Dickey]

On 5/12/2020 at 9:08 AM, truckguy82 said:

I’m a big fan of oem

 

I took my truck to the dealer to replace the pads and rotors, stupid me assumed they were using oem. Got some other AC delco brakes. When I came back and confronted them, they said....”they come off the same assembly line”

 

the hub was rusted to ****** in a month, and they squeel in reverse.

 

best of all, it was the first time in my life I decided, “I have enough money, let me pay someone to do my brakes for me.”

 

edit:just realized that was a pretty off topic rant 

2012 Avalanche LTZ. Two yrs ago I found out about the Ferritic nitrocarburized rotors. I thought I bought them (only the front for now) only to find out they weren't. I put them on anyway but, I wanted to know where to get them. I hunted and searched, called parts stores, GM dealer parts, and all of them thought I was talking Chinese. Never heard of them. I finally found articles on a hard to find GM link saying they started being standard equip on some GMs 2014? I think. I called the place that does the Ferritic nitrocarburizing for GM and the head guy told me they never treated one for Avalanches (last Avalanche 2013) I believe he said Silverados got them starting in 2014 but didn't know if they fit. I spent a whole day searching and comparing Part numbers and dimensions at auto part stores because if the generic # fit both vehicles the OEM  Ferritic nitrocarburized ones would. Well GM wasn't having any of that, they put different part # for the Silverado and refused to update the Avalanche even though the front specs out the same. The back has deeper off set but I just found out the 2016 Tahoe is the same dimensions front and back. 

  The back brake rotors are now acting up from retirement lack of use, RUST. I still can't find where to buy the Ferritic nitrocarburized  ones. HELP HELP HELP Parts people aren't friendly help. I remember back when you walked into a parts store threw it down on the counter and he'd say oh that's a .... and go get it or, find one on the shelf to match. I'm going to get a hold of a guy on (no I'm not telling where) he is selling all four for $10 off a 2016 Tahoe with 36,000 miles because he bought a trailer and thinks he's upgrading to slotted rotors. I don't think so and don't care I want those rotors. I still need to know where to buy new ones and GM dealer people never heard of them. So once again HELP HELP for info where to get them. Thank you if you read this far.

Edited July 17, 2020 by Joe Dickey
Trying to find check box to be notified of replys. FAIL

[Canadian GM Guy]

2012 Avalanche LTZ. Two yrs ago I found out about the Ferritic nitrocarburized rotors. I thought I bought them (only the front for now) only to find out they weren't. I put them on anyway but, I wanted to know where to get them. I hunted and searched, called parts stores, GM dealer parts, and all of them thought I was talking Chinese. Never heard of them. I finally found articles on a hard to find GM link saying they started being standard equip on some GMs 2014? I think. I called the place that does the Ferritic nitrocarburizing for GM and the head guy told me they never treated one for Avalanches (last Avalanche 2013) I believe he said Silverados got them starting in 2014 but didn't know if they fit. I spent a whole day searching and comparing Part numbers and dimensions at auto part stores because if the generic # fit both vehicles the OEM  Ferritic nitrocarburized ones would. Well GM wasn't having any of that, they put different part # for the Silverado and refused to update the Avalanche even though the front specs out the same. The back has deeper off set but I just found out the 2016 Tahoe is the same dimensions front and back. 
  The back brake rotors are now acting up from retirement lack of use, RUST. I still can't find where to buy the Ferritic nitrocarburized  ones. HELP HELP HELP Parts people aren't friendly help. I remember back when you walked into a parts store threw it down on the counter and he'd say oh that's a .... and go get it or, find one on the shelf to match. I'm going to get a hold of a guy on (no I'm not telling where) he is selling all four for $10 off a 2016 Tahoe with 36,000 miles because he bought a trailer and thinks he's upgrading to slotted rotors. I don't think so and don't care I want those rotors. I still need to know where to buy new ones and GM dealer people never heard of them. So once again HELP HELP for info where to get them. Thank you if you read this far.

Where do you live? Up here in BC Canada I ordered them through Lordco. Lordco has exclusive rights on AcDelco and can order OEM parts from gm through Delco.

Sent from my Samsung using Tapatalk

[Joe Dickey]

On 5/21/2020 at 4:11 PM, sk said:

Just be careful -- not all the OE and ACDelco rotors are FNC.  They sell "standard" ones, "coated" ones (not FNC but it is hard to tell that), and "FNC" ones, both in GM OEM and ACDelco brands.  The FNC ones are actually very hard to come by.  The coated ones are still very good and will last long too just not as long as the FNC ones.

 

As a side note -- FNC rotors should NOT be turned down.  Any shop that is doing that will definitely "smooth" the surface but they are actually removing the FNC (that's where the GM minimum thickness requirement comes in since it relates to the depth of the process into the steel surface).  FNC is not a coating; it actually changes the metal properties to a certain depth in the rotor.  After that layer is removed the rotors are basically just untreated steel and will warp/shred faster than even cheap auto store rotors.

I web browse all the time and find it very hard to navigate your forum, especially replying. 

Has anyone found a source to buy FNC rotors? I called Kelly Chevy and Baglier Buick In Butler,Pa and got the same response that I've gotten every time I've ever called. They don't want to talk to the customers that bought their cars. The have their own click with other dealers and garages. GM has had FNC rotors for 7 years and every parts BOY I talk to never heard of them.

 I think GM puts them on the new cars to cut down on warranty work because they found out they cut off their own source and PUT OUT OF BUSINESS  manufacturers of good rotors and it came back to bit them in the ass in warranty work. So they put them on new cars to cut down on repairs but you and me can't buy them because they make money selling junk rotors after the warranty is gone.

When a new Chevy comes new with NFC rotors shouldn't it be against the law to sell an OEM rotor that's not REALLY OEM?

[Joe Dickey]

On 7/17/2020 at 4:35 AM, Joe Dickey said:

2012 Avalanche LTZ. Two yrs ago I found out about the Ferritic nitrocarburized rotors. I thought I bought them (only the front for now) only to find out they weren't. I put them on anyway but, I wanted to know where to get them. I hunted and searched, called parts stores, GM dealer parts, and all of them thought I was talking Chinese. Never heard of them. I finally found articles on a hard to find GM link saying they started being standard equip on some GMs 2014? I think. I called the place that does the Ferritic nitrocarburizing for GM and the head guy told me they never treated one for Avalanches (last Avalanche 2013) I believe he said Silverados got them starting in 2014 but didn't know if they fit. I spent a whole day searching and comparing Part numbers and dimensions at auto part stores because if the generic # fit both vehicles the OEM  Ferritic nitrocarburized ones would. Well GM wasn't having any of that, they put different part # for the Silverado and refused to update the Avalanche even though the front specs out the same. The back has deeper off set but I just found out the 2016 Tahoe is the same dimensions front and back. 

  The back brake rotors are now acting up from retirement lack of use, RUST. I still can't find where to buy the Ferritic nitrocarburized  ones. HELP HELP HELP Parts people aren't friendly help. I remember back when you walked into a parts store threw it down on the counter and he'd say oh that's a .... and go get it or, find one on the shelf to match. I'm going to get a hold of a guy on (no I'm not telling where) he is selling all four for $10 off a 2016 Tahoe with 36,000 miles because he bought a trailer and thinks he's upgrading to slotted rotors. I don't think so and don't care I want those rotors. I still need to know where to buy new ones and GM dealer people never heard of them. So once again HELP HELP for info where to get them. Thank you if you read this far.

I spent all night on the computer and found the NFC rotors I was looking for. They are making them for the 2012 Avalanche now, for the back anyway. Now the pads are $38 to $50 unless you want the OEMs and they're $94 to $160 WTF?? There are 3 ACDELCO ceramics and the other two are $39 and $41. The description is identical except the high priced say OEM. What the heck? The OEM NFC rotors are ball park with all the others. $71