Whenever I drive my car, and step on the breaks, I notice that my car seems to wobble and shake a little bit, and when I try 2 back up 2 parallel park or something, it feels like my back wheel wants 2 fall off or something can anybody please tell me whats going on and if I need 2 get my breaks fixed or replaced, how much am I looking at I drive a 2001 chevy cavalier I'm a full time college student and I work part time and don't have much money to spare so I need 2 know what I'm looking at
2007-10-19 05:26:39 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
From your excellent description it sounds as if your front brake rotors are warped. Cheap off-shore brake rotors would cost $25.00 each. Much better American, Canadian or British brand would run $40.00 - $50.00 each. There's an outside chance that your rotors could be re-machined to remove the runout but only an autoparts store with a brake lathe should tell you for sure. On the inside of all brake rotors is a minimum thickness tollerance thet they are allowed to re-machine them to. You may be looking at replacing the disc brake pads also. Please specify to any auto parts store or an independant mechanic that you want ceramic brake pads such as Wagner Quiet Stop pads. Do not under any circumstances let anyone talk you into semi-metallic or full metallic brake pads as they are very harsh on rotor wear. They'll grind them to an early death.
An excellent second option is organic based pads. All Toyota's come from the factory with organic pads and they last 60,000 - 80,000 miles with absolutely no wear to the brake rotors. They are also very clean. You will never see a Toyota with the usual orange-brown dirt and dust on the front wheels.
2007-10-19 05:49:29 · answer #1 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your steel brake rotors probably need machining because they've gotten warped. It's not a safety issue unless you hear loud scraping and screeching noises which mean your brake pads (that contact the rotors) are worn out. Usually front brake pads last longer than 30000 miles. If you have a Pep Boys auto center near you, see what they say. They will inspect the brakes for free.
http://pepboysstorelocator.shoplocal.com/pepboys/store_finder.aspx?action=storefindernuep
2007-10-19 05:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The wobbling when braking sounds like warped rotors, or out of round drums. The other problem sounds like a bad wheel bearing or bent rim. I would try to find someone you can trust and get it checked. Be careful. Sounds like they could rob you with over-repairs on this one.
Good Luck
2007-10-19 05:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by kiaman5 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say buy a know car bec if u dont have time and money to be fixing this one all the time then it ant worth it so go out find a new car for about $1700.00 it run a long time trust me.
2007-10-19 05:38:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it could be the rotors but if its the rotors its the brakes too it could be a bad tire with belt seperation feel the tread on the tires lookin for uneven surfaces
2007-10-19 15:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by anthentherwasi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋