Brake rotors are like almost any other vehicle mechanical part in that they are susceptible to damage. Although not a routine source of major mechanical problems, brake rotors can become damaged or warped from a variety of causes. What follows is a brief list of the most common causes of warped brake rotors.
Brake rotors are very susceptible to excessive heat, especially heat related to excessive brake pad friction. If brake rotors are exposed to excessive heat levels for a prolonged period of time, they can become warped and damaged.
Many times brake rotors are damaged during tire changes, especially as the results of a faulty jack stand or hydraulic jack that fails and allows the car and the brake rotor mechanism to fall to the ground, thus severely damaging and/or warping the brake rotor.
Malfunctioning brake pads can severely damage and/or warp a set of brake rotors. Brake pads that are cracked, broken or incorrectly installed can cause physical damage to brake rotors, damage that can include cracks, breaks or warping.
Brake calipers are responsible for squeezing brake pads against spinning brake rotors, a process that produces a vehicle's braking action. Malfunctioning brake calipers can apply abnormal amounts of squeezing action over time, a condition that can seriously warp a set of brake rotors.
Brake rotors spin around a vehicle's hub assembly, which is a long, slender rod that houses the wheel bearings and provides the anchor to which a vehicle's tire affixes to. A bent or damaged hub assembly can cause a rotor to turn abnormally, a condition that can lead to warping of the brake rotor.
