I got new rotors and pads about 5000 miles ago. now everytime I stop above about 50 MPH the steering wheel with shake until I get to 50mph. Im not sure what the problem is because they should be lasting MUCH longer than this. I work my brakes out everynow and then, but nothing that would deteriorate them this quickly.

 

up

 

Maybe you didn't break the pads in properly? If so, then your rotors are glazed unevenly.

 

so does that mean that I will need to get new pads and rotors?

 

well. i had these problems. could be your tire balance or uneven tread. could be sticky brake caliper. possibly a defection in the rotor's metal where a portion wears unevenly- happened once to me. I'd say prob break caliper or tire balance, that was my problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95integrags-r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so does that mean that I will need to get new pads and rotors?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've had some luck roughening up the glazed surface of the pads with sandpaper. I've also used a belt sander (carefully) to break the glaze on the rotors. If you're not careful with the rotors you'll make them more uneven; then you'll need new rotors.

Every time I've bought new rotors, they come with some oily greasy coating so they don't rust in the box. You cleaned that off, didn't you?

PS... YES you're supposed to clean it off.



Modified by JimBlake at 1:35 PM 7/22/2003

 

I remember the greasy looking stuff, but I dont remember if I took it off...

 

Brake cleaner will remove the oil. Otherwise, it'll take longer to stop and to seat the pads properly.

 

so I will probably need only new calipers then? or do I need to replace everything? thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95integrags-r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so I will probably need only new calipers then? or do I need to replace everything? thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>
Calipers? Who said calipers? Maybe their slide pins don't slide real good, but then maybe they'd just drag.

You need to clean the rotors & pads, if they have any greasy stuff left on them.

If the pad surface is glazed, you need to roughen it up a bit with sandpaper. Same with your rotors. Then take it easy for a week so the pads & rotors wear into a perfect fit with each other. I was guessing that your problem was that they got glazed unevenly.

If that doesn't work, get your rotors resurfaced. Maybe your problem is warped rotors, not just uneven glazing. If they're warped bad enough, you'll need new rotors.

Inspect your wheels & tires for out-of-round or bent wheels, bulging tires, just to rule out stuff like that.

 

I meant rotors not calipers

 

I think the guy who said balance is the right one. with out looking at the car. Because you will tipically feel a shake from bad wheel balance at around 60mph so that sounds about right.

 

When was the last time you got the car aligned?

 

last summer. around this time

 

Might be the problem...