lnguyenh

Hi, whenever I hit the brake (the harder, the worse), the steering wheel shakes too much. Is it time to change brake? I remember I just had the front pads replaced few months back (not the rotors). Any advice please?

Neofate

iTrader: (1)

This would be the Rotors being warped. So yes it is time for a brake job basically. I am assuming you take your car in for service, so take it wherever you normally would for brakes (wherever you feel comfortable) -- and tell them just what you told us.

When you press the brakes the steering wheel shakes, etc. They will know what is going on.

What happened is Brake rotors warp over time from heat generated from brake application (of the pads) etc.. so when they warp (metal heated is malleable) then it cools and the shape is not true any longer. Due to this from then on when you apply the brakes the pads are going over a surface that is no longer smooth, and has lumps in it. This feeds back through the suspension/steering column and into the steering wheel. (And should be prevalent in the brake pedal as well).

If your rotors are in 'spec' when they mic them,.. They can do what is called 'turning' the rotors. Which is basically cutting a portion of the rotor off all the way around until the surface is smooth again. If the rotors have been turned before, and thus don't have enough surface to be cut , they will have to replace them entirely.

Most often it is your front rotors that are warped, as the rear brakes/rotors do not do nearly as much of the work.


** Also no need to worry.. this is common routine maintenance.. Like getting new tires or such.

Hope that helps.

lnguyenh

Thanks for taking time to explain. I guess I will order the rotors then. Thanks again.

19psi

take note, when replacing pads, always either turn the rotors or install new. old rotors with new pads won't give you the maximum grip because the two surfaces aren't "mated" to each other.

lnguyenh

Thanks. I forgot ... what is the recommended front pads for 2001 LS430? I've seen all kinds out there and not sure which one would be best.

19psi

depends on what you want out of a pad. some will give you better braking power with the trade off of less life and possibly some squeaking, some will be very quiet but dusty, etc. i'll take braking power over noise and longevity though.

ludes98

OEM Pads