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I used to be able to tell, but it is like I have drawn a blank, lol. Correct me if I am wrong. I am getting a shaky car (vibration) when braking down from highway speeds. I KNOW that I have some brake rotors that are out of round. I do not have any shaking in my steering wheel (no side to side shaking) when it does this, so if I remember correctly, this probably means my rear brakes are the culprit? My car has 4-wheel disc brakes (it is a '95 Lincoln Town Car). Is there any way to tell my looking? I guess if the pads are worn, that would be another signal?
As expensive as rotors are, I just don't want to replace wrong ones and still have a shake. Even the cheapest rotors are like $40.00 each. Years ago, I remember having them "resurfaced", but not sure if they do that anymore or not.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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They will resurface as long as there is sufficient meat left on them, usually one time, then they become too thin and need replacing. If it's pads that are worn down to the bare metal on the rear you will have to get new rotors. On the front, that usually makes a horrible scraping sound, but on the back it may not make noise, just vibration until really bad. How many miles on it? Rears commonly go 100,000 miles or more and are often overlooked and not checked until they are completely shot.
I personally have never had my rotors turned. I usually would need to replace my brake pads around 50-60k on a vehicle so I would just buy new pads and rotors. I usually could go to the local parts store and pick up a decent set of ceramic brake pads, and a new set of rotors for under 100 dollars and just be done with it and good to go. I have never had to replace rear pads or shoes for that matter, they usually last a very very long time.
It sounds like you need a complete brake job. Try and find a local general repair shop to do the job. If you car is over five years old have them change the brake fluid as well.
But like others said - rotors are so CHEAP now...
Simply swap them out AND make sure you break them in right away. It is wise to have new pads bedded to new rotors, btw. Or, at least, resurface pads. And don't jam brake pedal into the floor whilst waiting at the red light. You'll create those pad impressions, looking like cracks.
Rotors do not go "out of round." They DO warp, which creates an uneven surface for brake pads to operate against. For front brakes that often causes the steering to shake when braking, especially from higher speeds.
I agree with not resurfacing them. Just replace them, especially if the rotors are many years old.
They will resurface as long as there is sufficient meat left on them, usually one time, then they become too thin and need replacing. If it's pads that are worn down to the bare metal on the rear you will have to get new rotors. On the front, that usually makes a horrible scraping sound, but on the back it may not make noise, just vibration until really bad. How many miles on it? Rears commonly go 100,000 miles or more and are often overlooked and not checked until they are completely shot.
Thanks for ALL of the replies. Well yeah, the car is old, it is a 1995 model, but the brakes are not that old. It does not shake the steering wheel when it does this, so I am thinking it is the rear brakes, but they really do not have that many miles on them considering they are rear brakes. I think we replaced the rotors with new ones about 2 years ago... they may have about 20K miles on them. We pulled the tires off today and the rotors seem smooth. The rear pads are really worn down though, but not all the way gone and not scraping and just started squeaking yesterday. Someone told me to just try new pads and see what that does, but I think that will not stop the unevenness when braking - new pads may make it even worse, lol. If it does, I will get the rotors next week. We were going to go ahead and replace the pads today, but the dumb automaker thought they would make it to where you have to have a "torx head" tool to get the pads off! I had one from the last time, but couldn't find it.
I will check that Rock Auto, because the cheapest ones I have been able to find were like $34.99 each from Advance Auto or O'Reilly.
Thanks again!
*Do you know what is funny... I have never had to replace the brakes on my '73 Pontiac and I drove it for like 7 years until gas went so high, I stopped driving it in 2010.
I used to be able to tell, but it is like I have drawn a blank, lol. Correct me if I am wrong. I am getting a shaky car (vibration) when braking down from highway speeds. I KNOW that I have some brake rotors that are out of round. I do not have any shaking in my steering wheel (no side to side shaking) when it does this, so if I remember correctly, this probably means my rear brakes are the culprit? My car has 4-wheel disc brakes (it is a '95 Lincoln Town Car). Is there any way to tell my looking? I guess if the pads are worn, that would be another signal?
As expensive as rotors are, I just don't want to replace wrong ones and still have a shake. Even the cheapest rotors are like $40.00 each. Years ago, I remember having them "resurfaced", but not sure if they do that anymore or not.
Thanks!
It's almost certainly your front brakes.
Each vehicle has a minimum thickness required for their rotors. You have to know the specs, and run a caliper/micrometer on them. Or you can take them to the auto parts store to have them measured. In my neck of the woods, turning a rotor generally costs $10-$15, and buying a new rotor costs $25-$35.
From my experience, resurfacing does not make any sence - my mechanic charges $35 for resurfacing and new rotor costs exactly the same money, but it's new
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