Front brakes acting up....again...?

Question

I have a 1994 Eagle Vision ESI with a little over 146,000 miles on it. During the summer/early fall of 2006 I had new brakes (rotors) put on and everything went well. My bf did the job and noticed a bolt had worked loose but was unable to redo this because the threads in the cast iron had been stripped. He rigged it and it worked all that time, until now. Suddenly the new front brakes started locking up and the car wouldn't shift. Once the car shifted it seemed the brakes gave in finally and released. But stopping and going would cause them to start to squeeze up again. He attributed this to the bolt being worked loose again, and fixed it with a heilacoil kit from Advance Auto. While he had the tire off he also noticed the tie rod was bouncing around and replaced that as well. The car ran ok for a couple days, but now the brakes are locking up again, it is struggling to shift, and there is noticeable noise and severe vibration in the front end going down the highway. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, helicoils don't always provide the required grip needed to hold components like brake parts, so it is quite possible that the bolt is loose again. Unfortunately, you will need to replace the component that the bolt screws into. If your lucky, your BF can find one at a junk yard and save you some money.

Answer 2

I would say the caliper is bad, its locking up your brake and causing your rotor to warp from the heat, get 2 new calipers and have the rotors turned if there not too far gone and a new set of brake pads and you should be good to go.

Answer 3

How much is your life worth. I'll not say your bf didn't do the job right but you need the have someone else look at them and replace parts that are needed. The only problem is it may cost more than the car is worth, but keep in mind of how much cost do you put in safety for yourself and others.

Answer 4

I'd take it to a specialty shop that has to do with brakes. And ask for just a look over. They should do it for pretty cheap and tell you what's wrong. Your bf sounds like he knows what to do so then just tell him and have him do it. This should ensure you what the problem is for cheap and having your bf do it should save you even some more money.

Answer 5

You had better take the car into a good front end shop.There is definitely something wrong.Could be dangerous to drive

Answer 6

you failed to say if the caliper,s were replaced...or if the hydraulic system had been opened...........it sound,s like a hydraulic problem......but without more info. I really can,t diagnose the problem.