1996 2.2 153k, uneven braking??

When I press the brake pedal slowing and not hard, which means I give myself plenty of room when I am trying to stop the car it acts fine. But when I have those unexpected things like having to slam on brakes, just pressing alittle harder then normal on the brake the drivers side front brake seems to work just fine, but the passenger front seems to grab and let go, repeatedly. This didn't start happening till my Farther-in-Law helped me change my front break pads and rotors. Could it be something binding or a caliper gone bad?

Thanks,
Bcubed

When I press the brake pedal slowing and not hard, which means I give myself plenty of room when I am trying to stop the car it acts fine. But when I have those unexpected things like having to slam on brakes, just pressing alittle harder then normal on the brake the drivers side front brake seems to work just fine, but the passenger front seems to grab and let go, repeatedly. This didn't start happening till my Farther-in-Law helped me change my front break pads and rotors. Could it be something binding or a caliper gone bad?

Thanks,
Bcubed

questions. Did you inspect the calipes to see if they needed overhauling? Do you have ABS, (not abdominals before anyone else on this forum thinks he's funny!) It may be that the sensors have something going on! Did you follow the proper 'bedding in' procedure? I would bet that it's the calipers needing to be rebuilt!

Did you grease the slider bolts? Did you clean off the new rotors with brake cleaner? Did you have grease on your hands while you touched the pads? Did you over torque the lugs when you put your tires back on? Did you seen wet brake dust around the piston?... all possibilites..

We did not inspect the calipers. It does have ABS. We followed the proper bedding procedure. We cleaned off the new rotors, the people at Advanced told us that they did not need to be turned, but gave us this spray stuff to use to clean them off before putting them on. No wet brake dust. I bought a haynes book today. Here is what Haynes says about it:

# 64 Grabbing or uneven braking action

1 Malfunctioning of proportioning valve
2 Malfunctioning of power brake booster unit
3 Binding brake pedal mechanism

I know there is nothing binding on the brake pedal itself. So I guess it might be one of the first 2. Which one is the least costly to repair. This car is not for show and I am not trying to win over the ladies(already have a wife). It is just to get me back and to, to work, for atleast another year.

Thanks for your advice!
Bcubed

Isn't that book worth the investment? No the rotors now a days do not have to be turned unless specified. I usually shop at advance myself and because i get a perferred customer discount. NEVER BUY WEAREVER SILVER OR GOLD BRAKES!!! They are garbage and are very cheaply made. Get the..... ah crap what are they called.................... Bendix i think its what they sell thats OEM quality or better. I run ceramic pads in the front and Bendix in my rear drums. When i tried the wearever i had binding problems. But do check the seal around the piston.

We did not inspect the calipers. It does have ABS. We followed the proper bedding procedure. We cleaned off the new rotors, the people at Advanced told us that they did not need to be turned, but gave us this spray stuff to use to clean them off before putting them on. No wet brake dust. I bought a haynes book today. Here is what Haynes says about it:

# 64 Grabbing or uneven braking action

1 Malfunctioning of proportioning valve
2 Malfunctioning of power brake booster unit
3 Binding brake pedal mechanism

I know there is nothing binding on the brake pedal itself. So I guess it might be one of the first 2. Which one is the least costly to repair. This car is not for show and I am not trying to win over the ladies(already have a wife). It is just to get me back and to, to work, for atleast another year.

Thanks for your advice!
Bcubed

Out of the two I'd say 1. but neither cheap! Booster is some good money right there!

Rubber flexible hose bad. I would replace both of them.

Make sure you didn't spray your rotors with Pam! I've gotten bad advice from an otherwise good source before. Check the rotors to make sure it has dried properly.

It sounds ABS related to me. When the pedal grabs and lets go do you feel the pedal kicking back? I would make sure the VSS hasn't gotten any crap in it like rust when you took off the old rotor, or dirt.

It sounds ABS related to me. When the pedal grabs and lets go do you feel the pedal kicking back? I would make sure the VSS hasn't gotten any crap in it like rust when you took off the old rotor, or dirt.

VSS is in the trans and tell the speedo what to say! You mean ABS sensors! Right?

The problem didn't start till after I installed the new brake pads and I think they were wearever silver or gold, from advance. Do you think I should try replacing the brake pads first, with a better brake pad? Kinda makes since that this didn't start till after I put the new pads on there...


Thanks,
Bcubed

No. The pads aren't the problem. I would put money on a flexible hose problem. If the car pulls to the right, replace the left flexible hose. Better to go ahead and replace both though. Then bleed thoroughly and you should be back to normal.