Stock 1991 Honda Civic Si

Ok. i have a vibration that i can't figure out. it's been slowly getting worse. when i hit the brakes, i get a bad, BAD vibration through both the steering wheel AND the brake pedal. i've already replaced my shoes/drums previously due to other reasons. tonight i jacked up the car and replaced the front pads and rotors. while i was at it, i decided to check the ball joints, tie rods, steering rack bushing, and the wheel bearings. all seem tight. the only thing that i noticed was that maybe the front radius bar bushings. i guess that's what you'd call them? anyways, i've thought of everything that it could be and that's all i've got. any more ideas??? thanks.

192,5xx on the odo and most of the factory items are untouched.

also, it happens with EVERY set of wheels i put on, so it's not a bent wheel, and i don't get a bad vibration while just driving, just braking. thanks!

btw, ordered poly radius arm bushings last night. $18 won't kill me if it's not the fix, but it will eliminate one possibility.

 

Uneven brake wear, and warped rotors is most likely your problem. Get some new pads ands rotors and you should be all set.

 

did that einstein.

 

On the old front pads, are they worn evenly? I've had a problem before where one caliper was only clamping on one end of the pad.

 

^what he said.

 

youve got play in your suspension and steering.

look up rack end bushing.

 

i know what the rack end bushing is. i've already looked at that. i actually have all the parts for that in house for my 88 sedan because that is the problem with that car. there is no play on the rack end bushing on my 91 though.

pads that came off were a-ok for wear, but i replaced them anyways. calipers move/slide freely. everything greased properly.

 

kinda sounds like the same syptoms as your tires not bein torqued correctly

 

try torquing them down to 85 foot pounds and see if that helps

 

i always torque my tires using my Snap on Torque wrench. did it just after i changed the rotors and pads.

 

u know i have the same exact problem with my 88 crx, rebuilt the steering rack, new tie rods inner and outer, new pads and rotors and calipers. still have a horrible shaking in the steering wheel and in the pedal. seems me and you are in the same boat lol you replace the upper and lower ball joints?

 

Deff take Tyson's advice and check out the rack end bushings and pop in those new radius arm bushings.

 

haven't had a chance to play with mine recently. i'm going to measure my hubs and see if they are warped. the strangest thing is i feel the pedal kicking back like the rotors are warped, even at very very slow speeds. leads me to believe it is more in the brakes rather than the radius bushings or rack end bushing.. i'll let everyone know if i find a fix.

 

CAn you try jacking up the car, run it and see if you can replicate the vibration? Of course, while someone checking... Also, do you have good brake pedal pressure? Wondering if there's a leak on your brake lines that may cause uneven braking...and maybe cause the brake pads and rotors to have uneven wear over time... Did it still vibrate right after you replaced your pads and rotors?

 

yes, it did vibrate exactly the same amount after replacing pads and rotors. yeah, i was planning on jacking the car and using some assistance to see what i can see with the wheels off.

 

found some knuckles with hubs/bearings for cheap. i will be able to look at everything when i swap them. i will update once complete. although, i will be doing the radius bushings first. one thing at a time till i find the problem.

 

Did you find a solution. I have the exact same problem and have done everything you have done except the radius bushings..

1990 Civic DX

New rotors
pads
inner/outer tie rod
rack bushing
new flexible brake lines..

tired of spending money on the old car..except it gets almost 40 mpg.

Thanks in advance..