Shaky Brake

Hello, i have noticed that my brake pedal sort of vibrates when braking, and even more when i brake faster. I have abs, and i think it may be that, but i'm not sure. i only have 28000 on it. Thanks.

Hi,

Possibly warped rotors?

If you're stopping with moderate pedal pressure and not in a panic stop mode, it's either ABS kicking in too early, or warped rotors. I'd recommend having a dealer check it. The ABS is capable of malfunctioning and coming on when it's not needed.

However, it's much more likely to be warped rotors. How many miles on the car, and have the rotors ever been turned? Also, how worn are the brake pads? Once you get beloe 1/3 of the pad, their ability to dissipate heat is considerably reduced (less mass to absorb heat) and they tend to let the rotors run hotter, which makes warping more likely.

You can always jack up the front end (do it safely!) rotate the wheels one at a time and see if the wheel alternately drags and releases. If so, warped rotors are the first place I'd look.

Its most likely warped rotors, had the same thing with mine last year. Bought some new rotors, fixed the problem. You could also have a bent front wheel, one being slightly out of round can do the same thing. Most likely to be the rotors though, since it varies with the braking pressure.

Yeah, I'm with the rest of the votes. Add a wheel bearing check to that too. I think the word might be "pulsate"? With abs and low mileage, I think the suggestion to go to the dealer is a good one.

Can you tell which wheel might be the reason? If you can; then taking a hard look is not that tough. Be sure to grab wheel firmly at the 3 and 9 positions and force it back and forth. A wobble right there may indicate a bearing letting go.

Are your tires good? Are they the right size? With abs this CAN sometimes cause problems. Wearing evenly? No shock problems?

if it were the abs, wouldn't it be making the distinct abs noise?

^^^^^ Yep. When the ABS kicks on you should hear it.

Warped rotros are cuased from hard fast stops, expecailly from high speeds. Racing from light to light in city stop and go traffic is extremely rough on brakes.

Well, as i said, it's only got 28G, but my dad's jeep had the same problem. I have a full warranty on the car, anybody know if it covers brakes? i'm not sure. I have had to make some quick stops (caused by dumbass drivers(not me)). I haven't heard the abs noise, and i suspected warped rotors myself, so i think i'll look into that. Thanks you so much guys.

Edit: if it's not a warranted thing, or i just decide to do it myself, what's a good rotor? I would like brembos, but they are a bit pricy, i've seen baer, bosche(which i know some members are partial against), and delco, given my experience, i'm gonna have to cross delco off the list. thanks.

I would bet on your rotors "warped". .
You would hear the ABS if that was the problem.
My brakes were pulsating last week, but I changed the pads and rotors, and It's all better now.
Good luck.

I am not found of performance brake parts on a stock rig. I like Raybestos brake pads, and buy your rotors from NAPA. Fork out the money for the better ones, they are thicker and can be turned. Don't buy composite rotors, they cannot be turned. Altough most rotors will work just fine. The key is avoiding those hard fast stops. They can warp even brand new rotors.

thanks for the input, i have seen those pads. I also don't want performance ones on my truck. Unfortunately, sometimes, those stops can't be avoided sometimes.

I don't think the dealer will cover it under warrenty, its a normal wear and tear item.

Update.

I put new rotors and pads on the truck, and it is smooooooth as silk. I know its been a while, but i'm just so happy to have smooth brakes for once. Does anybody know a break-in procedure for new rotors and pads? I know that you have to go light on them for a little while, but for how many miles?

Actually as far as break-in proceedure, I have gone by one that I remember from way back until recently. With the newer pad materials and rotor finishes, you really don't have to bed them in. Just don't go auto-crossing it and you should be fine.

The old proceedure involved 5-6 stops from 30mph with enough time to cool the brakes between stops, then 5-6 from 45 with time to cool between, finally 5-6 from 60 with time to cool. That was all. Now the stops weren't panic stops by any means, but normal stops. Not too light, but don't slam on them. And this should have been done right after installing the brakes, no time in-between.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canadian88
I have a full warranty on the car, anybody know if it covers brakes? i'm not sure.

probably not since it's wear-and-tear... But if you do buy a set, they usually come with a lifetime warranty, or a few years... and then you're covered for future events.

It's so much cheaper to replace break pads too early, then to wait longer and have to swap rotors too.  Rotors are $50+ a piece, pads are what, $20 for your whole front end?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canadian88
I have had to make some quick stops (caused by dumbass drivers(not me)).

that's what brakes are for... it wont lessen the normal life.  maybe you're a "dumb ass drivers" after all for following too close?

Such intelligence...  Would have thought maybe you'd look at the age of the thread and decided better...  Oh well...  Last comment shows some class though...  Geez.

i have a 2002 blazer extreme and i replaced the rotors and pads and i still have that problem of pulsating brakes and it has to be the VSS sensor or ABS computer...
 
walt

I moved your thread into a new topic instead of dragging up this ancient topic!

You can find it by CLICKING HERE.