bad rotors? or bad brakes? HELP

jfin5 · #1 01-11-2005, 03:08 PM

i just installed new rotors and brake pads on the front of 1990 240sx. when i turn the wheel there is a spot where the brake pads drag against the rotor and slow the wheel down. it doesn't hinder my driving, but i'm afraid that the rotors are going to start a fire if they get too hot. i'm wondering if the new rotor is just warped, or if there is something wrong with the brakes. the wheel itself is another possibility i suppose. bad bearing maybe? any advice would be very much appreciated.

also, are the brake pads supposed to have constant contact with the rotors?

thanks again

jfin5

SR20DETpower · #2 01-11-2005, 08:17 PM

you could have gotten the wrong rotor or such, happens a lot actually

hopefully you still have the old rotor or inspected both of them to make sure they were the same

other then that could be a lot of other problems im not quite sure exactly what your problem is.......

when your driving down the street and turn the wheel the front brakes apply to create stopping force without the brake pedal down?

Chuki_breath · #3 01-11-2005, 09:58 PM

no your pads shouldnt touch while the pedal isnt pressed. If they did it would be constant wear down. I dont get how they would compress while your turning the wheel?? Your probably hitting the brakes as you go around the turn.... bleed your brakes maybe? I had to get new rear calipers because they were old and would still "touch" the pad to rotor while driving. Something about the slider pin or something...i forget in detail wtf went wrong. Im not good at remembering all part names and shit. But i think its like 200 bux for new calipers with pads.

D-Bo · #4 01-12-2005, 11:06 AM

i'd say you don't have enough space between the pad and disc.. it will eventually go away with the wear and tear.. try some heavy braking on the highway or somethin.. if it wabbles then thats a different story.. i figure you need to break them in a little.. new brakes can be a little awkward at first.. also check how well the caliper is installed..may be a loose bolt or somethin

AWDSR20 · #5 01-12-2005, 01:49 PM

did u brake the pad in?

jfin5 · #6 01-12-2005, 02:47 PM

thanks for everyone's help. i'll do some major troubleshooting to find out what the problem is and i'll post up the findings just in case anyone else has the same problem. thanks again

jfin

SR20DETpower · #7 01-12-2005, 08:10 PM

yes tear down and inspection is the best and about the only thing u can do to find out the problem unless u want to take it to a mechanic

jfin5 · #8 01-12-2005, 10:11 PM

i am a mechanic. i get as many opinions as possible just so i don't overlook anything. thanks for everyone's help.

jfin

D-Bo · #9 01-12-2005, 10:28 PM

you're a mechanic?? and you can't figure out this problem??

oh god..

logik23 · #10 01-12-2005, 11:58 PM

Being an intern doesn't really count....

jfin5 · #11 01-13-2005, 04:54 AM

i just friggin said i get as many opinions as possible. and what better place than here, right? a huge part of troubleshooting is gathering as much info as possible before you even touch the gear. i got five or six good replies from people, so now i have six different things i can look for.

intern my ass

jfin

D-Bo · #12 01-13-2005, 05:34 PM

ummm.. alright. i'm not a mechanic. the closest to a mechanic i've ever been is grade 10 auto class. if you're actually certified then you should KNOW what to look for when you encounter these symptoms.. i know you didn't want to overlook anything but these are brakes!! not that difficult!!
anyways, its becoming a stupid argument

jfin5 · #13 01-14-2005, 12:50 PM

you're absolutely right. anyway, thanks for your help.

D-Bo · #14 01-14-2005, 01:01 PM

no problem.. good luck

monooxide · #15 01-16-2005, 01:41 AM

I remember when I changed my Rear Pads we were trying to decompress the Brake piston with a Clamp adn that son of B wouldnt move...we finally figured out the Piston is self adjustable...menaing that the piston screws in and out.

so maybe thats it take Caliper off take pads off and take some channels locks and screw pistons in...then put pads back on and then put calipers back on...Take it out on a VERY SLOW RUN and get the psitons readjusted because at first they will be looser then my grandmas....yea anyways...id try that...I have a question...I was going to check my front pads and the damn bolt for the Caliper Stripped? how should i go about getting it off and where can ig et a new bolt?

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD