modifications > Rotora Front Brake Rotors

Why did you put Rotora front brake rotors on your RS?

As you may have read in previous modifications on this site, the Focus RS is quite heavy for what it is. Every little bit of weight reduction helps unless you choose to add power/torque instead. I plan to keep doing both. :) Weight reduction aids in performance. In drag racing for every 100 lbs removed your ET drops by 0.1 seconds. I will continue to race my RS more at local autocrosses and a few road course tracks, and removing this weight will help in quicker acceleration, shorter braking distance, and easier rotation for cornering.

The Rotora front brake rotors remove 15.20 lb off the front of the nose heavy RS. As an added benefit they are beautiful! They work with the factory RS pads, or you can install more aggressive pads depending on your use.

Date Completed:

02/10/18, 02/16/18

Materials:

- Rotora front brake rotors (FocusRS.org group purchase)
- Masking tape, sheets, cardboard, sandpaper/Scotch-Brite pad and paint for painting front hubs
- Permatex/Loctite blue for caliper bolts
- WD-40 to spray OE rotors for long term storage
- Antiseize for lugs

Tools:

- 3/8" drive ratchet, various sockets (18mm, 19mm)
- 1/2" breaker bar and 1/2" to 3/8" socket adapter
- Factory RS wheel lock key (in glove box?)
- 18mm combination wrench + sledge hammer for caliper bolts
- 8mm combination wrench for brake line bracket bolt
- Jack + jack stands
- Rags/towels/etc. to protect rotors while disassembly/re-assembly of caliper components
- Small hammer + punch for caliper disassembly/re-assembly
- (2) bungee cords to support calipers from front springs to protect brake lines from stretching
- 3/8" Torque wrench (20 lb-ft)
- 1/2" Torque wrench (85 lb-ft, 100 lb-ft)
*A friend for moral support is always optional. If friend isn't available Pandora will suffice.

Notes:

1. Install takes about 3-4 hours or so (if you don't paint your hubs). I took my time because of taking pictures for this website, and I painted my front hubs.
2. No undertray removal. That's a win in my book any day.
3. No wiring plugs need to be disconnected for this swap.
4. Follow along in the pictures for removal/replacement process.
5. Loosen lug nuts before jacking up your RS. Jack up your RS. Remove everything. Paint if you want. Replace rotors. Push caliper pistons in. Reinstall everything.
6. Torque specs = 85 lb-ft for (2) caliper bolts each side, 100 lb-ft for (5) lug nuts each side, 20 lb-ft for (1) caliper pin bolt each side.
     *Note: I put anti-seize on my front lugs. Reduced my torque to 75 lb-ft (25% reduction due to lubricated threads).
7. Due to the Rotora rotors being 28mm thick (stock 25mm thick), all (8) front caliper pistons need to be pushed in. Remove pads, push pistons, reinstall pads/pins/etc.
8. I followed the Rotora bedding procedure after installing their rotors. See picture #83 for more details.
9. Leftover parts = factory front rotors.
10. Doesn't look stock! :)
11. Easily reversible back to stock.
12. Weights:
       OE front rotors = 23.00 lb each.
       Rotora front rotors = 15.40 lb each.
       Total weight removed = (23.00 - 15.40) x 2 = 15.20 lb.
13. I weighed my RS on the same set of certified scales as before. Weight now = 3220 lb (17 miles to empty).