YACT, brakes not working

[ThePresence]

When I hit the brakes, I feel a vibrating in the steering wheel and the car does not stop well. I have to press it down alot further than I should have to to stop the car. The bitch of it is, I just had my rear rotors and pads replaced, about 5 months ago. Do I need new front brakes now?

 

[raptor13]

Make/model/year?

Do you have to press a lot harder as well as pressing further? Do you feel like you're getting any brake boosting? What kind of pedal feel is there? Can you stop as quickly as before or is braking distance severely increased? Describe the symptoms a bit more and maybe a diagnosis can be made.

Edit: I'm working for a Tier 1 automotive supplier selling millions and millions of brake systems per year. This should be right up my alley.

 

[Kipper]

Front pads go faster than rears - rears should last generally 1.5-2.5 years of driving - about 80% of your braking power comes from the front disc brakes. It's possible that you have worn them down if you are hard on your braking. Pads generally last 30-50,000 miles depending on the type, but you can wear them out in less time if you are hard on your brakes.

Alternatively, if your gas pedal is spongy it's possible that there is air in the system or you have a leak somewhere. But the vibration is probably from the pads either bumping around because of bad contact with the rotors (they may be warped) - or you just need new pads.

 

[Aimster]

If it is a FWD car I am assuming most of the braking would be done to the front of the car to slow it down. So it will be a good idea to replace them. Should only cost you $10 and about an hour of work tops.
When I change my brakes I do all 4 at once and they all seem to be even.

Steering wheel vibration at high speeds is because the car need a wheel balance. Don't know if that helps you or not.

 

[RagingBITCH]

SOunds like your front rotors are warped.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: raptor13
Make/model/year?

2000 Nissan Maxima SE

Do you have to press a lot harder as well as pressing further?

Isn't that the same thing?

Do you feel like you're getting any brake boosting?

I have no idea what that is.

What kind of pedal feel is there?

It's slightly vibrating.

Can you stop as quickly as before or is braking distance severely increased?

Increased.

Describe the symptoms a bit more and maybe a diagnosis can be made.

I'm not sure what else I can say.

Edit: I'm working for a Tier 1 automotive supplier selling millions and millions of brake systems per year. This should be right up my alley.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Aimster
If it is a FWD car I am assuming most of the braking would be done to the front of the car to slow it down. So it will be a good idea to replace them. Should only cost you $10 and about an hour of work tops.
When I change my brakes I do all 4 at once and they all seem to be even.

Steering wheel vibration at high speeds is because the car need a wheel balance. Don't know if that helps you or not.

It only vibrates when I'm braking.

 

[boomdart]

What does YACT mean?

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: boomdart
What does YACT mean?

Yes Another Car Thread.

 

[boomdart]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
When I hit the brakes, I feel a vibrating in the steering wheel and the car does not stop well. I have to press it down alot further than I should have to to stop the car. The bitch of it is, I just had my rear rotors and pads replaced, about 5 months ago. Do I need new front brakes now?

Check your wheels, balance them, make sure they're not warped. Same thing happened to my dad's Ranchero. He started having braking problems (whole car would shake and rattle while stopping) and switched the front left wheel out for a new one, and it works perfectly now.

Warped rotors can also cause it. But if it's *really* bad, check your wheels first.

Also, if that's not the problem check your upper and lower ball joints

 

[Heisenberg]

I'd guess warped rotors as well.

 

[boomdart]

oops

 

[v3rrv3]

Are you very mechanically inclined? If at all, pop the wheel off and take a look at what I'm guessing are discs up front. When you say the steering wheel vibrates like someone elses said it sounds like the rotors are warped. My brother had the same problem if he braked fast so a new set of pads and rotors cured that problem. As for the spongy brakes/lack of braking their could be air in your brake lines or your master cylinder could be pooping out.

 

[Aimster]

Either the front brake rotors or the rear drums are warped and need machining.

Check out Maxima.org. Very friendly community. My handle is tunaman if you need anything there. I know a lot of people in NYC area that would help you out if you want or recommend you to some good shops for anything else.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Either the front brake rotors or the rear drums are warped and need machining.

Check out Maxima.org. Very friendly community. My handle is tunaman if you need anything there. I know a lot of people in NYC area that would help you out if you want or recommend you to some good shops for anything else.

Thanks, appreciate it. I hope it's just the front rotors and/or pads, not the master cylinder!:Q

 

[Banana]

I was thinking master cylinder, but that wouldn't explain the vibration, would it?