vibration when braking firmly

[whyaskwhyyxy]

I have a 95 accord ex with 82k on it. I noticed when braking relatively firmly at moderate speed (eg., 30-50 mph), the sterring wheel shakes a lot. It does not occur if I brake with more modest pressure at the same speed. The car also has a lot of vibration when idling. I don't know if they are related. I had the wheels aligned recently and haven't noticed any improvement.

Please help.

Thanks.

[thewoahna]

Sounds like someone has a case of warped rotors, better get them fixed, you dont want that screwin with your steering joints.

[BullShifter]

Sounds like rotors are warped, resurface if possible with new pads or replace rotors & new pads. Honda brakes should be services/inspected every 15k - Honda rec. every 7500 miles.

Brake vibration & engine(idle) vibration are highly unrelated issues.

When was your last PROPER maintenance service? 82K should mean your last service was @ 75K. If not I highly suggest doing the 75k OR 90k(prefeer) ASAP. Also 90K is time for the timing belt & water pump to be repalced. If your gonna skip something, I'd rather skip 1 maint. service to have the t/belt//w/pump replaced. If that t/belt breaks you aint going NO where but the tow truck.

[whyaskwhyyxy]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I had the brakes serviced last year at a honda dealer shop. In fact I think the brake vibration probably started after the brake service. The brakes were also inspected as a part of maintenance service 1 month ago at the same dealer, although I didn't think of mentioning the brake vibration to them. So I don't know if they looked at the brake rotors carefully.

Are there anything else I should think about haveing the dealer replace while they pull thing apart to replace the timing belt and water pump?

[BullShifter]

Replace all assy. belts(alt,p/s,ac) also repalce any leaking cam or crank seals.

[ProMan]

Originally Posted by whyaskwhyyxy

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I had the brakes serviced last year at a honda dealer shop. In fact I think the brake vibration probably started after the brake service. The brakes were also inspected as a part of maintenance service 1 month ago at the same dealer, although I didn't think of mentioning the brake vibration to them. So I don't know if they looked at the brake rotors carefully.

Are there anything else I should think about haveing the dealer replace while they pull thing apart to replace the timing belt and water pump?

It must be the rotor. I had the same experience when my Accord were new. After the first service at a dealer, the car chatters when I brake. I went back to the dealership immediately. They checked it and informed me that the tech didn't put the rotor back correctly and apologize for it.

You have to tell the dealer what your concerns are and what you feel. Or they will just do the routine tasks and probably will never notice something like this.

[ProMan]

Originally Posted by whyaskwhyyxy

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I had the brakes serviced last year at a honda dealer shop. In fact I think the brake vibration probably started after the brake service. The brakes were also inspected as a part of maintenance service 1 month ago at the same dealer, although I didn't think of mentioning the brake vibration to them. So I don't know if they looked at the brake rotors carefully.

Are there anything else I should think about haveing the dealer replace while they pull thing apart to replace the timing belt and water pump?

By the way, I am not sure what the dealer does for "brake inspection". They probably just look at it to see if there is any leak, measure the pads and rotors to see if it's still thick enough, etc. They will never find the "vibration" by doing these.

[tanner07]

Uhhhh.....

Isn't that your anti-lock brakes engaging?

[BullShifter]

Dealer brake service:
disc: remove capliper/pads
Inspect pads/calipers/rotors/etc
Clean
Compress pistons
lube pads/slides
Drums:
remove drum
clean inspect
adjust

[whyaskwhyyxy]

Originally Posted by tanner07

Uhhhh.....

Isn't that your anti-lock brakes engaging?

I don't think it's the ABS because it occurs on dry road at only moderate speed and the steering wheel shakes a little too. Also, I have had the car for 8 years now, and this just started over the a few months ago.