Brakes are acting up.

[nicolae88]

Alright heres the story, I drive a 2002 4-Door Cavy plain and stock. The car was bought in October 2001 I believe, although I cant remember exactly. Its got right around 30k on the odometer and It was basically the car that i learned to drive on. So lately Ived noticed that when braking in the wet, and bear with me its kinda hard to explain, the brakes seem to kinda catch, and then let go for a second and it causes a big jerk and makes a noise that is like...a grind or something. I really dont know how to explain it, its like they just catch and let go, and its really at the end when im about to stop or when I get on them hard. Now I think that maybe with me learning to drive on the car, and it not being, you know, the greatest of all cars, that I kinda wore out the brakes a bit. But could it be that they are jsut bad brakes, or worn down tires? Any help is appreciated and if you dont understand what im saying ill attempt to explain it more, thanks.

[conanthedestroyer]

first thing is the ABS light on.because the wheels should not lock up even when wet. icannot say with out looking at it .i reccommend have some one you trust look at it. possible cheap brake pads

[Red02Cav]

I actually know what you are talkin about. It has only happened to me about once or twice. I havent had anyone look at it b/c it doesnt worry me that much, it just scares me when it happens thats all. Right now I am having my own problems with my 2002 cavalier brakes. I recently put 17' rims on with a new set of front brake pads. When I go to stop it sounds like a mouse is dying. Theres no grinding so I know its not my rotors but I dont know why its doin this. When I first put the rims on they were fine. So I am wondering if when the rims got put back on they got put on wrong?? Any idea of what this sound might be?? or whats causing it??

[Super-Slow]

I have a 92 cavalier and it is having brake issues also.
when I start to come to a stop the right front chatters and grabs hard just before I stop jolting the car. I know it is the abs on the right front but I am not sure how to fix it. I do not like abs except for on snow and ice. You could disconnect it or take it down to one of those places that will do a free check up.

[fajita23200]

Originally Posted by nicolae88

Alright heres the story, I drive a 2002 4-Door Cavy plain and stock. The car was bought in October 2001 I believe, although I cant remember exactly. Its got right around 30k on the odometer and It was basically the car that i learned to drive on. So lately Ived noticed that when braking in the wet, and bear with me its kinda hard to explain, the brakes seem to kinda catch, and then let go for a second and it causes a big jerk and makes a noise that is like...a grind or something. I really dont know how to explain it, its like they just catch and let go, and its really at the end when im about to stop or when I get on them hard. Now I think that maybe with me learning to drive on the car, and it not being, you know, the greatest of all cars, that I kinda wore out the brakes a bit. But could it be that they are jsut bad brakes, or worn down tires? Any help is appreciated and if you dont understand what im saying ill attempt to explain it more, thanks.

I've had the same problem with my 98 5spd. I've posted 2 or 3 times asking if anyone has any idea what's the deal.I had it hooked up to a diagnostic computer. They told me it was the ABS speed sensor. They replaced it. It worked like new for about 4 days. Then it went right back to the way it was. I had them check it again. They said "wheel speed variance." But, they put a brand new wheel speed sensor in at no cost. I did not even get out of the parking lot before the ABS light came on again. I've replaced rotors,pads,ect. My friend told me it could be the ABS pump, whatever the hell that is. I never claim to know much about cars, or how they work. That's why I come here. But, I've heard quite a few people having the same problem. Sorry I could not be more help.

[Classicrocjunkie]

Don't buy cheap rotors or pads.... My drums do what you describe, all i do it take everything off and hit it with brake cleaner and were back in buisness. But i am seriously considering a brake swap in back to disk. Only 800 in change, but with people i know i prolly can go lower.

[Super-Slow]

my abs light has only came on a couple times. It does not always act up when I come to a stop. I wonder if a brake system flush would not help?

[VANONI]

IVE HAD HAD kind da the same problem uve had. when i drive my z24 and i press the brake smoothly the brake pedal sounds aweful its sounds like something is not well placed and my car seems not to brake when that happens.. poeple had told me that is the abs computer because it happens to me moslty when is wet and thats the only reason i dont like my z24,, i have perfomed it very good and i love it... ive seen cavalier have this problem with brake system.. but dunno why... my mechaninc fixed for a while and he told me that the braces the drumbs have were wrong installed that the left drumb had the left drumb braces and viceversa and also the little plastic they have was fked up .. i would like to know if something like this has happened to u or if u know how to solve it,, please im getting crazy with this......

[VANONI]

Originally Posted by Classicrocjunkie

Don't buy cheap rotors or pads.... My drums do what you describe, all i do it take everything off and hit it with brake cleaner and were back in buisness. But i am seriously considering a brake swap in back to disk. Only 800 in change, but with people i know i prolly can go lower.

IS IT PROBABLY I CAN CHANGE THE DRUMS TO DISK?? PPL HAVE TOLD ME IS NOT WORTHY OR NOT POSSIBLE... WHAT DO U SAY? IS IT? AND HOW MUCH? BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS ALSO WITH MY BRAKES... THEY SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS NOT WELL PLACED ON THE PEDAL AND SEEM TO SLIP EVENTHOUG IS NOT WET... WHY WOULD THAT BE?