Warped MTB Discs?

Retrogamer

Hi all,

Currently getting back into some off road cycling again on my mountain bike and hitting a few problems on my disc brakes (first bike with them)
It's a GT Avalanche with shimano hydraulic calipers (M445 IIRC)

Anyway, i do a bit of downhill but nothing too intense and i'm on the heavy side at approx 185lbs

I've noticed both brakes are rubbing badly now and the front wheel doesn't turn smoothly.
I've tried realligning the pads by loosening the caliper and wheel and pulling the brakes then tightening but no joy.
It's 1 piece low range shimano rotors on it - 180mm front and 160mm rear

I think my mass, and the downhill caused them to heat up too much and have warped over time.
Does this sound likely?

If so, has anyone tried the Shimano XT 2 piece floating rotor discs> I heard the 2 piece rotors are more rigid and stay a lot cooler during downhill sections

Norman_Castle

I would check the pads, pistons and calipers are free to move as intended.

molerat

Slightly warped discs can often be adjusted, adjustable spanner over the disc and tweak in the required direction.

glasgowdan

Floating rotors etc won't solve your problem. It is most likely calliper allignment. Are the pads new? They may be rubbing if there's too much fluid in the system.

Is the rubbing uneven as you spin the wheel? If so I would suggest buying new discs (cheap avid ones are good). Bending discs never gets them perfect.

Retrogamer

Sorry to update this so late. Found the issue now.
When i was trying to re-allign my caliper i was doing it wrong. I loosened off the carrier to fork bolts, pulled brake in and re-tightened the bolts.
This didn't help anything.

Done the same as above, but loosened the bolts from the carrier to caliper and this re-alligned everything nicely. Nice smooth roll with no scuffing or binding.

I'm really new with disc brakes