Brake Question - uneven wear

[TheV6Bird]

Hey guys,

For some reason, my rotors became warped over the winter (I park my car in the winter and let it sit, and when I took it out there was vibration in the brakes). It vibrates when I brake now.

I was under my car today, and I spotted something interesting. On the outside of my rotors (facing away from the car), the wear looks pretty even. But under the car, I saw the inside of the rotors (facing inside, toward the engine). The brake pad does not look to be hitting the whole rotor! On the outside, it looks normal, like the pad is flat against the rotor and it rubs from top to bottom. On the inside, the pad just seems to rub just inside the surface area.

Any idea what causes this? I guess I need new brake pads, but could I just resurface my rotors?

[BLLDOGG]

i cant say why it happened but i can help you confirm what is the problem. its pretty simple...if the car vibrates but there is no play in the brake pedal...like it pushing back and forth, its uneven pads. but, if the pedal does move, then its your rotors being warped. i hope someone can explain to you why the pads are uneven. good luck [img]smile.gif[/img]

[hockeyman]

The next time you are changing rotor's, look into having your calipers rebuilt too. Over time, they lose their internal lubrication and don't move as freely as they should, sometimes the brake pistons stop moving altogether because of rust. If you were to install new rotors again without a caliper rebuild, then you'll just probably warp another set.

[TheV6Bird]

Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
i cant say why it happened but i can help you confirm what is the problem. its pretty simple...if the car vibrates but there is no play in the brake pedal...like it pushing back and forth, its uneven pads. but, if the pedal does move, then its your rotors being warped. i hope someone can explain to you why the pads are uneven. good luck [img]smile.gif[/img]

The pedal does vibrate back and forth (I dont know what you mean by "if the pedal does move"...side to side? move on its own?) The vibrating happens most at highway speeds.

Rebuilt calipers? Hmmmm...this would make sense because I have been letting it sit in the winter for the past two years and the car has 112K on it. The loss of lubrication could've happened during the winter, hence the problem happening as soon as I took the car out of storage. Is a caliper rebuild hard to do? How much would it cost?

[hockeyman]

Originally posted by TheV6Bird:
Is a caliper rebuild hard to do? How much would it cost?

I think I have the "how to" somewhere in my files, but I have to go to work right now. I'll try to post it tonight when I get home.

[TheV6Bird]

Cool thanks a lot man [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img]

After braking today in traffic without my right shoe on (to get a better feel), it actually feels like the pedal doesn't vibrate that much, but feels that way because the whole car is shaking (especially the steering wheel)

[hockeyman]

Nope...can't find it :mad: I'm almost positive I saw it here once, but it isn't there anymore.

I have a 1993-1998 Camaro/Firebird Chiltons Manual in front of me (book #28284), and on page 9-17 is a walkthrough on rebuilding a front caliper. If you have an Autozone or PepBoys near you, this book is a good investment.

[TheV6Bird]

Did you mean here:

http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...er_rebuild.htm

I did a search and a lot of people posted that site (including you haha). Anyways thanks man, I'll be sure to pick up a Chilton's book if I need it.

I just need the part # for the caliper rebuild kit. I don't know if the kit listed on install university is just an LS1 kit or if it is a generic GM kit.

[hockeyman]

^Yep, that's it! Sorry, it was a loooong week!