Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


Steering wheel / Rotor problem


psnee1
10-28-2009, 11:43 AM
Hello everyone:

Sorry in advance for the long post

I have a 99 SC1 with almost 200k. Over the last few years it started warping rotors. I would get a steering wheel shake and I'd change the rotors and it would go away. Well it started happening more often than I think it should. The last set of rotors only lasted around 20K, and when I put new ones on, it only lasted a few 1000 miles before the shake came back. Now it's shaking really bad, but I don't want to just keep replacing them.

What could cause the rotors to warp that fast? It is a problem with the breaks or suspension, or a wheel bearing?

I had a panic stop the other day (a cat tried to commit suicide by running out in front of me) and I noticed that one of my front wheels locked up. Could my breaks be applying too hard on that wheel?

RC1488
10-28-2009, 07:34 PM
The fact that the tire locked up are a combination of many variables. Not just the force of the brake piston.

Where are you getting rotors? Are they the same as you used to use? What about the pads?

Proper bedding is important for the rotors not to warp also.

psnee1
10-29-2009, 11:00 AM
I'm using aftermarket rotors/pads from a local autoparts store, I don't know the mfgs, but they're new parts. I have to admit I usually don't bleed the breaks after I change the rotors. Could that be factoring into it?

Scrapper
10-29-2009, 11:23 AM
are you buying cheap rotors like from autozone or advaced? if so are you getting the cheap one.s? because if the parts store they can stack them wrong and they are warped when you buy them. another thing you said is one of your brakes locked up on one wheel you may want to change the rubber hose's going to your calipers they colaps inside and wont release like there supposed too and not letting pressure off of caliper.

psnee1
10-29-2009, 05:09 PM
The most recent set (ones that only lasted a few 1000 miles) were cheap ones, the set before that (ones that lasted 20K) were the best ones they had. When they warped, I figured something else was wrong.

RC1488
10-29-2009, 09:30 PM
I've never had a hose collapse on any of my s-series.

The cheap ones work, but you need to bed them. i get $15 from rockauto.com Change them all on my '02, '01, and '98. The '02 was the one that did not undergo a bedding process. The rotors failed ("warped") with in 2 months. Put a new set on and bedded them....so far so good :) The car sees 120 miles a day. The other cars are still fine.

Add your comment to this topic!