Brake Problems?

[Valkyrie90AE92]

Hi
I just noticed I have that familiar feeling of rotors getting warped on my 1990 AE92 sedan (that vibration when you press the brakes). Normally, this wouldn't really bother me, except for the fact I changed the brakes and resurfaced the rotors at most 6K ago. Is this reasonable, or is there a possibility there might be something else amiss with her? As far as pads and rotors, I just use the cheap ones from Autozone or Advanced Autoparts (can't remember which). I kinda thought these things should go about 30K before needing to be checked or changed, so this bothers me a bit. If it just the cheap stuff, then I'll spend a bit more. Just thought I'd get some ideas so I don't start throwing money all over the place, lol. Trying to save up for some Eibachs

Thanks!

[toyotaspeed90]

have you recently pulled any of the wheels off? It isn't uncommon to overtorque the lug-nuts which can aid in warping the rotors or making them feel warped.

[Valkyrie90AE92]

Actually, yeah, not that long ago. Will check in the morning. Usually torque them to about 80 ft/lbs, but I might have gone a bit over the top there. Hadn't thought of that one....

[SCT]

Autozone? There's your problem. Their pads (low price "cheap" pads) are all semi-metallics. They heat up too quickly and don't disperse the heat very well nor fast enough. Then it causes your rotors to warp (and vibrate). Your brakes/ wheels will lock up very easily, too, which is not ideal during wet weather.

Use ceramic brake pads. They're the best thing. They disperse heat very well for the car and they don't lock up unless you're really all the way down on the brakes if they lock up at all.

I met the curb thanks to autozones cheap pads. Skidded during rain. With the ceramics now, omg, they're well worth it all. My corolla is still on factory struts!

[Valkyrie90AE92]

Originally Posted by SCT

Autozone? There's your problem. Their pads (low price "cheap" pads) are all semi-metallics. They heat up too quickly and don't disperse the heat very well nor fast enough. Then it causes your rotors to warp (and vibrate). Your brakes/ wheels will lock up very easily, too, which is not ideal during wet weather.

Use ceramic brake pads. They're the best thing. They disperse heat very well for the car and they don't lock up unless you're really all the way down on the brakes if they lock up at all.

I met the curb thanks to autozones cheap pads. Skidded during rain. With the ceramics now, omg, they're well worth it all. My corolla is still on factory struts!

I thought all cars came with semi metallic pads from the factory. I mean, it could be that mine were too cheap, but I thought semi metallics were standard for a car that wasn't a racing machine or track monster....

[SCT]

Most race cars use ceramics.

Semi-metallics are easier to manufacture, reason why they're cheaper in price.

Semi-metallics are more for the heavier cars I guess full size model vehicles like Lincoln Town Cars and such. Not compact sedans and other light vehicles like the Corolla. These pads will try to stop the corolla as if you ran into a 15ft thick metal wall, metaphorically speaking because the corolla is light. And the heat it creates, the rotors on a corolla is ever so thin for the amount heat created by these.

Ceramics and organics are, IMO, better both on and off the track in nice to brutal weather. Besides disippating heat very well, stops are more gently smooth for light vehicles.

Believe me, try ceramics. I think they're $30 to $40 from a brand called Prostop from Pepboys. Autozone may have it, too.

One time, running behind my friend in a 89 Mustang racing a BMW M3 (I guess mid 90's) last year, I had to blow through a red light. The damn semi-mets brought my car down from 100MPH to 60MPH and after that it felt like I let up on the brake though the pedal was literally floored with the red light a few hundred yards. It wouldn't stop. The ceramics, having almost t-boning a cab that ran a stop last week, performed too good.

[retiredat44]

I have really been impressed by the OEM Metallic brake pads sold by Carquest. and they are only $50.00. They last a long time and do a fine job on my old 1989 Corolla SR5. Car is stock.

[Flashmn]

Before we go into that "you bought cheap pads from autozone, you shoulda gotten OEM" arguement, check the slide bushings from the calipers. Chances are they are frozen, thus your caliper is braking with one side more than the other = warps the disk.
Material failures are almost instantly noticable, not after 6k miles.

[freakinbox]

yeah I always clean the sliders every time I change the brakes. I also pull the brakes apart now and then just to clean them out, usually in the spring and fall.