Braking Problems

[kpszar]

Well, It is my third time fixing this problem. The first time they resurfaced the routers and drums. The 2nd time they could not find the problem. Now the third time, It happened twice this week! The brakes were warped out, so I did a whole new break set up. New routers, drums, pads, full cleaning and checked brake lines and etc. The brakes are about 4 months. Some times the car would not stop, the brake pedal starts be be choppy, grinding noise begins and the car would not stop at all. I pushed the pedal all the way to the floor and tried pumping it and nothing helps. It happens most of the time when I stop at a stop sign while turning or in the parking lot. My suspension is about 7 months old, Monroe Sensa trac struts and springs, new Oem strut mounts etc. Any body else had this problem. Last night was horrible, I tried stopping at a stop sign while it was dark out, the road had little view and It would not stopped. It stopped in the middle of the road, good the road was not heavily driven at that time.

[ShawnM]

When you say its grinding, do you mean the ABS is actuating? It can feel like a grinding sort of vibration in the pedal. If thats the case and your abs is kicking on at times then was it happening before you had the struts done? Im thinking maybe an ABS sensor or the sensor reluctor wheel on the axle got damaged. Generally when that happens the ABS kicks on at times and it dosent always set a code or turn on the ABS light in the dash.

[kpszar]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

When you say its grinding, do you mean the ABS is actuating? It can feel like a grinding sort of vibration in the pedal. If thats the case and your abs is kicking on at times then was it happening before you had the struts done? Im thinking maybe an ABS sensor or the sensor reluctor wheel on the axle got damaged. Generally when that happens the ABS kicks on at times and it dosent always set a code or turn on the ABS light in the dash.

When I first go the car it was fine. And then about a year after It was starting to do this. I can feel the grinding and vibration of the pedal and some grinding noise at the brakes. I had A guy look at it today and could not find it. It happens rarely, but at the most baddest times, middle of the road type of things. It usually happens when I turn and stop at the same time. I have not seen any "ABS Light" come up on the dash or anything strange. Tomorrow I have to check it out, Well got to go to work tell you guys If it is that or something else. Many pl;aces are telling me thats odd because I have new brakes and etc. Well just have to find out.

[ROBS]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

When you say its grinding, do you mean the ABS is actuating? It can feel like a grinding sort of vibration in the pedal. If thats the case and your abs is kicking on at times then was it happening before you had the struts done? Im thinking maybe an ABS sensor or the sensor reluctor wheel on the axle got damaged. Generally when that happens the ABS kicks on at times and it dosent always set a code or turn on the ABS light in the dash.

^^I second that

I was thinking "ABS" the whole time I was reading the original post. I think you need to look at your ABS system or have it checked out.

[kpszar]

UPDATE: M**ro Muffler checked the ABS said nothing wrong with it. M**ro Muffler and Sunoco test drove they car said they did not notice anything. They only test drive it for 15 min and the problem does not happens all the time. So If it does it more times, I am going to show them where and when It happens even if it takes an hour.This is a common problem with my car, it does not depends on the temperature of the brakes, temperature outside, how long it was driven.

[Kep]

How often does this happen? ie, once an hour, once a day, once a month?

Kep

[kpszar]

Originally Posted by Kep

How often does this happen? ie, once an hour, once a day, once a month?

Kep

Well its about once in two/three days but the last two days it happened twice each day. I had this problem for about 2 years. When It first happened it rarely happened, as the time went by it occurs more often. When I get my car bake, I am going to bleed the brakes and see if that do anything. It mostly does this while braking and turning at a stop sign or at the parking lot.

[Kep]

Read up on bleeding ABS systems. They are more complicated than the old style. Also, never force brake fluid back into the reservoir when changing pads. Always allow the fluid out of the bleeding valve so you don't damage the ABS system.

Kep

[Mike Gerber]

Does this problem happen after driving the car for a while? If so, I have a hunch on what may be happening. Check the rear emergency brake cables for sticking and not releasing. This could casue the emergency brake on one or both sides to drag. This would result in the rear brakes heating up and if the car is driven long enough, could eventually boil the brake fluid back there. This would result in the brake pedal going to the floor with no stopping action. Also, check the front calipers for sticking after driving the car for a while. This could result in the same thing happening and also explain the warping of the front rotors. When the problem is happening, jack up the front of the car and try to rotate the front wheels by hand. See if one is noticeably harder to rotate than the other. If one is, you have found a sticking caliper. Occasionally they will stick only after heating up.

Mike

[Kep]

^+1 on what Mike said. If you had moisture in the brake fluid this would apply doubly.

Kep

[kpszar]

It happens any time driven, The last two days were about 10 min of riding and then happens again at 30 min.

[Novice_cardude]

From what i've heard, a sticking caliper or other source of heat is most likely. Sounds like a case of boiling brake fluid.

However there is another possibility. You say this happens when you're turning mostly. Look on the caliper housing for any signs of rubbing against suspension parts. If the caliper rubs in the right way, it can twist enough on the slide pins and force the piston back into the caliper, making the pedal low. If this was the problem, pumping the brakes would help though. So i'm not sure. I have seen it happen before though.

[Dave's]

When I purchased my brand new '92 I was complaining about occasional brake grinding/noise and 'grabby' stopping. Finally got it to happen with their service guy in it. They said it was normal because of the pad material. They were extended life (100K) pads which were hard and sometimes some of the harder material would 'catch' until it wore off. Had the same thing happen with my '93. Replacing the pads with softer ones solved the problem but they don't last as long. Can't say this is your problem or if they even make those pads anymore but thought I'd mention it.

[Kep]

An extension on what Mike said about the calipers sticking, there are slide bolts (usually covered with rubber bellows) that allow the pads to move in and out. Sometimes these get in a bind. They should move smoothly by hand.

Kep

[kpszar]

Originally Posted by Novice_cardude

From what i've heard, a sticking caliper or other source of heat is most likely. Sounds like a case of boiling brake fluid.

However there is another possibility. You say this happens when you're turning mostly. Look on the caliper housing for any signs of rubbing against suspension parts. If the caliper rubs in the right way, it can twist enough on the slide pins and force the piston back into the caliper, making the pedal low. If this was the problem, pumping the brakes would help though. So i'm not sure. I have seen it happen before though.

I have to look at the suspension parts. The problem happens way to fast and don't have enough time to pump the brakes.