brakes

[albertmdh]

ok, so my brakes failed yesterday, i took the car for a cruise around the neighborhood, and as i started towards home, i noticed brake smell, so i tried some hard braking, and the car didnt want to stop. The brakes have been squeaking at stop lights since i got it, and supposedly had new front brakes when i bought it, the invoice was in the car, i can only assume someone installed them wrong, because when i stopped in the driveway, they were smoking. So, could my rotors be damaged? or should i basically just need new shoes, properly installed?

[damone]

pull your front wheels off and have a look.. If your brakes all out failed (as in, wouldnt work at all) Ide say you blew a brake line.. But if they just werent very effective, and they were smoking as you say, than your pads AND rotors are probably shot.. Just run your finger along the front and back surface of the rotor.. If you feel grooves or distortion, you probably need your rotors turned, (or maybe replaced) Make sure you replace your brake pads anytime you replace your rotors.. they'l probably need it anyway if they were smoking

[damone]

BTW, its a good idea to fab up some type of brake booster brace.. very in-expensive and effective brake mod.. Lots of threads about it at Supraforums.com..

its just something that will bolt onto the strut tower mount and hold the brake booster from pushing forward while braking (because the firewall is so thin)

[repinS]

Or seized a caliper(s) causing horrible brake fade?

[albertmdh]

repin: thats kinda what my dead thinks might have happened, seeing as they work again today, only not as well as a week ago, when they worked great. Supposedly the rotors were turned and new pads done in november, shouldnt be fubared yet, i found that invoice in the glove box. Previous owner neglected to give me the wheel lock keys and isnt returning my calls, i got one off with a socket wrench but the socket got stuckon it, so i cant do the rest, tire shop wants 5 a lug to knock em off, plus 5 a lug for new lugs, it sucks, i have to pay 35$ just to even take a look at my damn brakes! the brake shop said it may be the master cyllinder going, or maybe the brakes just need to be bled, but want 20$ just to take a look, gah! i am broke!

[Acroth]

heh... sorry to say, but if you can't afford $35 or $20 for minor repairs your in more trouble than you think... wait till you need a new 02 sensor, or exhaust manifold repair... or hell, a headgasket replacement :P ...

those three things alone (if not done yourself) will run about $1000-2500 the high end on that would be if you took it to a dealership for a fix.... NEVER take your car to a dealership for repairs :P

[albertmdh]

yeah i know, im praying nothing like that happens, haha. i mean, i can afford the 40$ I just thinki ts ridiculous for the work being done...

[repinS]

A Supra isn't a good car to have when you're broke :\

[damone]

Your tellin me!!

especially if you plan on bringin it to a stealership or mechanic

[albertmdh]

i think maybe one of the calipers is loose in some way, made a shaky sort of noise while braking, that would probably mean the rotor is pretty bad off right? meaning expensive ass turning?

[repinS]

Having rotors machined is expensive for you? Should you even *have* a car? :\

You gotta be ready for shit like this. Also expains why I don't have a car atm.

[Ne0z31]

also... the person who did your brakes last... did they by chance remember shims
?

[albertmdh]

hehe, i dont make enough money for this car huh. how much would it be for turning rotors then? the invoice from when the previous people did it said 189$ which to me, is alot of cash to have to spend right now, i only get about 200-250 every two weeks.

[Ne0z31]

hehe, ur car looks identicle to mine :P... lol, but anyways... new rotors and pads if u need to go cheap and if u do it urself (which u should) shouldnt cost over 150

[albertmdh]

sounds good, where from? getting the wheel locks knocked off later today, then putting in new spark plugs, and shimming the wastegate. finally, progress!