I figured I would post here, or in tech support, this question is pretty general. I am not sure what brake "fade" is, but when I decelerate rapidly using my brakes I get really bad shaking from the front on the car (i.e. front brakes).

Does this mean that the front brake pads need replacing, or is there a problem with the brake rotors? I haven't heard the brake pads hissing or squealing ... but that doesn't mean they are not wore out I guess.

I am going to pull everything off this weekend and have a look, but I am not sure how to diagnose this . I will replace the front brake pads while I am in there, and I can drag the discs off to be resurfaced if nessecary ... I really don't want to buy new ones if I don't have to.

Thanks!

 

your rotors are most likely warped, take them to a shop and have them turned...its usually like $10 a rotor

 

Thanks junglist ... does that necessarily mean that the brake pads are shot too?

 

no, it does not. just check how much material you have left on the pads

 

If you don't buy new rotors, this will happen again, usually soon.

Turned rotors, which really should be done on the car, have less metal to absorb heat

Less metal = greater likelihood of warpage.

Be gentle to you rotors the first 100 or so miles, then heat'em up with a half dozen or more stops with a 40-50 MPH differential in speed (e.g., 70-30MPH).

When they smell, do a 15 minute or more cool off lap on the road, staying off the brakes.

Repeat.

 

most likely your rotors are warped..i had the same thing happen to me.. instead of having a shop turn them to make them straight again.. and take off material (making them thinner).. i just got new brembo blanks for $28/ea ($10/ea shipping) at http://www.collettimotorsports.com... and started off w/ new rotors since i had the wheels off, calipers off, etc.. i decided to change the pads too.. went w/ Hawk HPS's.. i like this set up a lot.. works great for me... the pads were about $60... and i installed everything myself so labor was $0..

 

why can't it just be ABS

 

ABS doesnt shake the whole front end of the car like he described.. you might feel a little pulsating of the pedal and such when the ABS is activated.. but it wont shake the whole front end of the car like he said.. plus his s/n is 95GSR.. so im asusming he's had the car for a while (unless its used and recently acquired).. so im assuming he knows what ABS feels like.. and how the car normally feels when braking..


[Modified by GSRaCeRbOI, 2:27 AM 3/6/2002]

 

oh, thanks

 

what do u mean by "brakes balanced out" like you had the rotors turned so they are straight/true again? got the pads changed? or do you mean you had the tires balanced?