A hopefully simple brake issue

Ice782

New Member
Jun 24, 2003
34
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Crofton, MD
I just replaced the pads today and everything went smoothly, as usual. I noticed that I dropped a caliper bolt somewhere and so my right calpier was being held on by only one bolt (yikes). It didn't move or anything and I only noticed it when I went to replace the pads on that side. So I went to the hardware store and just replaced all 4 with 4 identical looking bolts, which worked perfectly.

I was driving to work later on in the day and was expecting the brakes to feel a little funny while the pads set in. Well about 20 min. into it, I noticed that there was a heavy vibration while driving and a heavier vibration when I attempted to brake during this vibration. The vibration was severe enough to make me think I had either a flat tire or a loose lug nut(s). I pulled over to look at the tires and noticed that the new pad on the passenger side was only wearing on the outside of the rotor, but not closer to the center. (it had been raining that day, leaving a slight rust or whatever on the disc). It continued this vibration while driving and also while braking, however, it was not always consistant.

So what could be going on? Are the bolts possibly the problem, maybe being overtorqued or not the proper type? I took the wheel off after work, took the pads off, and then put them back again. The rotors are brand new cross-drilled and slotted, so I know that they are fine (3 months), plus they worked fine before I changed the pads. I change my pads every 3-4 months (I drive my mustang way too much!) and I didn't notice anything different while replacing them.

-James
 
Yea...it appeared to do the same thing, although I just drove it down a straight road and back. The shaking was not as severe though, but I guess it would be hard to tell if anything changed because the pad became slightly worn at an angle from earlier today. So maybe I need to wait and see if the pad doesn't even itself out? I noticed that the driver's side is doing it a little bit, but not as much as the other side.

I just have no idea....
 
Yes (ABS). What is the stangest thing is that they were working fine before I replaced the pads. I didn't touch anything but the pads, calipers and the wheel. But after the new pads were in place the shaking started.
 
I would check the pad size with a dial caliper, perhaps (whatever company you got it from) you got a defective pad, other than that something in the re-connection stage has material on it and is making an inproper alignment with the pad and rotor.