jeff1941

My es300 97 rotors feels like it is warped because it shakes a lot when going downhill and riding the brakes. Rotors get hot and the car shakes a lot, including the steering wheel. Usually you don't feel it on reg. driving but i do once in a while, when i drive and slow down to a stop. I think its prob more noticeable when the rotor is hot. So does this mean the rotors are warped? I think my rotors prob never been changed, but the pads are regularly changed when needed though.

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

Sounds like it. Just go get them resurfaced.

JesLet

iTrader: (19)

NEWB. Is it noticable, physically, when your rotors are warped?

Mine are vibrating at 70 MPH... I already balanced my 4 tires.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if your car has vibration when you are driving, it doesn't have anything to do with the rotors

if you get vibration when you brake, then yes, likely it's the rotors

elucid8

My brakes have had a heavy vibration when they are applied. It occurs at all speeds when braking. When I'm braking and coming to a stop slowly (under 10mph), I can feel the car vibrate once every time the tire does a complete revolution (or it surely feels that way).

The only clincher is that sometimes it brakes perfectly smoothly... maybe 1/6th of the time. It will be perfectly fine while braking in one instance, then if I go down the road to the next stop sign or stop light, it will vibrate like usual. I didn't think rotors would sometimes vibrate the car and sometimes smoothly stop.

Not sure if other Sears automotive centers are doing this, but one in Raleigh is offering a free brake diagnosis (gotta mail in a $15 rebate, but what the hell, it's free) with a written estimate. Never taken my car to a Sears before, let's just hope Martha Stuart isn't the one working on my Lexus, haha. Hopefully their technicians work on Lexus' cars for my sake. If it's offered to anyone else, they probably have the same deadline of Feb 2nd, so I'm going to hop on it when I get a chance.

JesLet

iTrader: (19)

Wha....?

Then what the heck is wrong with my car?

Probably allignment

elucid8

Yeah, it wouldn't be your rotors if your car is vibrating when you're driving (and not braking). Like you said, it's probably tire alignment.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

A severely warped rotor can cause a vibration under normal driving conditions, but this is rare... Alignment will not cause a vibration unless so severely out of line that the tires wear through in a matter of days...

Front end problems can cause a vibration if there is something loose...

most likely a tire that needs some help, or a bent wheel... balancing doesn't always take care of all tire ride issues...

to the OP though - you have probably hot spotted the rotors - there is a possibility you can have them resurfaced, but be prepared for a brake job, possibly including pads and rotors...

jeff1941

Thanks for the info. I already ordered 4 rotors brembo regular oem and hawk hpa brake pads rear set since my rear pads are almost gone, fronts still has a lot left. Ill update once i get it installed and test it out for awhile.