Braking Vibration

[Strum]

I am getting a vibration when I brake, especially when breaking at high speeds and going down hill. Talking to people at work I have one telling me it's bad pads, one telling me it's bad rotors. Once I have the wheel removed I will replace the pads since winter is growing near and I hate cold weather repairs. Is the vibration the result of the rotor and if so is there any way to tell by looking at them.

I figure I would throw new ones on since they are so cheap, but I don't want to make an unnecessary purchase.

Also, maybe related or unrelated. When I go over a bumpy road at low speeds (5 to 10 mph) I hear a clanking noise (metal on metal) that seems to be coming from the front. I don't have any adverse issues with steering, the steering seems as tight as normal.

[new echo owner]

Warped rotors can cause vibration or pulsation when braking, especially at high speed. Depending on the thickness of your rotors, they can machined most of the times. The only way to tell if they are the cause is by doing a run-out check with a dial indicator. Replacement rotors maybe cheap but it is difficult to tell of the quality of the material used.

The clanking noise from the front-end are most likely from your upper strut mounts, but it may also be from your swaybar bushings. Strut mount noise is usually noticeable when you going over speed bumpers straight on, both wheel traveling up and down at the same rate. Sway-bar noise, on the other hand, will be more noticeable when there is a differences between one side to the other, like one wheel going over a pothole and not the other.

N.E.O.

[BamZipPow]

Have you had a tire repair/replacement/rotation lately? The tech could've over-torqued the lugnuts...a common mistake that can lead to warped rotors.