Why does the front end of my car vibrate when I hit the brakes?

Question

I have a 1995 Ford Contour, and when I hit the brakes when the car is in drive, the front end vibrates. It does not vibrate when I hit the brakes in reverse or neutral. If someone could please help me figure out what the problem is, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

If this happens when you ONLY apply the brakes, simply put without a lengthy answer..............the brake rotors. they can be turned if not warped too bad.

Answer 2

This is a common problem on the Contour (and Mystique). The front brake rotors have become 'warped' or 'cupped' and when you apply pedal pressure to brakes the pads move in and out as the wheel turns, which, transmits back through the suspension as vibration. This is a simple fix and won't cost you a bundle even if the rotors cannot be fixed (sometimes the rotors can be machine-milled smooth and reused). Low speeds (such as reverse) don't transmit as much vibration as brake pressure used is much less.
PS -- anti-lock system is only engaged above 15 MPH, so if you don't feel the symtoms below that speed, you could be feeling some abnormal ABS problem (hint: ABS warning lamp will light when engaged)

Answer 3

As someone else said, if the vibration only happens when you're applying moderate (normal) pressure to the brakes and you can feel the pedal pulsating, you could be feeling the ABS system's self-diagnostic test. The pedal pulsation during this test is a VERY common complaint in late-model Fords like your Contour. In this case, you're simply getting feedback as the ABS solenoids cycle, and the brakes are operating normally.

If it isn't the ABS, then your front rotors either need to be machined, or are warped. If they need to be machined, ensure the shop working on the car uses an on-the-car brake lathe so the rotors don't develop parallelism. If they're warped, they will need to be replaced--this is something that machining (even with an on-the-car lathe) can't fix.

Please relay your concerns to an ASE-certified Ford technician and have them do a brake inspection on your car. They will tell you definitively where the problem is and what, if anything, needs to be done to fix it. Good luck! :)

Answer 4

chances are your rotors are warped. most common problem with cars nowadays. the brake rotors get distorted from happy people with air tools these days.
when the lug nuts are too tight and/or uneven, the brakes get hot when braking and the run-out gets excessive. the tighter lug nut distorts(pulls) the metal more than the other lug nuts and causes the warpage or vibration you get when the brake pedal is pushed.
the warpage/distortion is transferred to the caliper piston, hydraulically thru the fluid to the brake master cylinder to the brake pedal via the push rod.
new brake rotors and pads is the cure with high mile cars. the rotors can be measured and resurfaced, but if resurfaced too close to the tolerances, the same problem is likely to occur.
good luck
um yeah, i forgot to add that the warped rotors causes the steering wheel and suspension to shake.
if felt more in the seat of the car, check the rear brakes also.

Answer 5

your front rotors are warped. cheap way to fix it is have a friend (or do it yourself) take the rotors in to your local car parts store and have them turned. If they are really bad you may need to buy new ones, but that is pretty cheap too. Don't bring it in to a break shop...they will charge way too much.

Answer 6

Rotors Need Turned Hope you have the room to turn them 2nd Rotor replacement//// do not take to Gemini

Answer 7

you probably need new brakes or rotors...how fast was your car going when you put the brakes on in neutral?

Answer 8

turn the brake rotors...or have someone do it 4 U

Answer 9

IF IT ONLY VIBRATES IN DRIVE I'M GOING TO ASSUME YOU ARE GOING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND THAT YOUR ROTORS ARE OUT OF ROUND HAVE THEM CUT OR REPLACED

Answer 10

take it to a shop. my jeep does this but it's because of the anti lock brakes. that and because the brake discs on it are too big.