Cavalier brake problem

"theMan" <mmglow.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:zP-dnaKgzuPhm9fanZ2dnUVZ_uSgnZ2d@comcast.com...
> It sounds like wharped rotors some new rotors sold by advance auto etc.
> require turning before use and if your regular mechanic missed it I would
> look for another mechanic!

Some rotors need surfacing before being installed. It helps bring the
braking
system to optimum quicker.

The runout (warp) and thickness variations should be measured to be sure
that
they are within reason. In some cases, the warp can be decreased by proper
indexing of the disc upon the hub. In all cases, the seating areas of the
disc
(when applicable) should be cleaned, and variances checked after
installation.

These problems seem to have become more prominent over the years.

One way to minimize the problems is to have the disc machined on the car.
This brings a variations into specification if properly done.
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

Karen,
That throbbing is a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn rotors
(thickness
variation) .

If the rotors are not cut properly, or are installed without attention to
trueness,
this can become noticeable, and can get worse.

It can also develop if someone has improperly tightened your lugnuts, or if
you have overheated the rotors excessively.

If the work is not done correctly (to rectify the problem), the symptoms can
return after a short period.
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

Thank you HLS, I feel more confident now that you confirmed my (non-mechanic)
brother's guess. I was concerned that I would be paying for something that
would not fix the problem.
Karen

"HLS" <nospam.TakeThisOut@nospam.nix> wrote in message
news:Yjl2j.20608$4V6.3298@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
> Karen,
> That throbbing is a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn rotors
> (thickness
> variation) .
>
> If the rotors are not cut properly, or are installed without attention to
> trueness,
> this can become noticeable, and can get worse.
>
> It can also develop if someone has improperly tightened your lugnuts, or if
> you have overheated the rotors excessively.
>
> If the work is not done correctly (to rectify the problem), the symptoms can
> return after a short period.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

"Karen" <nomdeplume.DeleteThis@designation.com> wrote in message
news:P3m2j.151101$kj1.47650@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Thank you HLS, I feel more confident now that you confirmed my
> (non-mechanic)
> brother's guess. I was concerned that I would be paying for something that
> would not fix the problem.
> Karen

Another tip..dont ever let anyone near your rotors with an impact wrench
(air wrench)
This is common when some companies rotate your tires.

Not even if they tell you they use Torque Stix which will assure proper
lugnut
tightening. In the hands of an idiot, they can cause variations in
tightening that will come
back to cause you a repeat of the throbbing. Insist on hand tightening
using a torque wrench.
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

"HLS" <nospam.TakeThisOut@nospam.nix> wrote in message
news:Yjl2j.20608$4V6.3298@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
> Karen,
> That throbbing is a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn rotors
> (thickness
> variation) .
>
> If the rotors are not cut properly, or are installed without attention to
> trueness,
> this can become noticeable, and can get worse.
>
> It can also develop if someone has improperly tightened your lugnuts, or
> if you have overheated the rotors excessively.
>
> If the work is not done correctly (to rectify the problem), the symptoms
> can
> return after a short period.
>
>

This would have been my response too. Except, my 2002 Cavalier started the
pulsing brake thing. It was after a tire change and I thought the same about
warped rotors. Then I changed the front brake pads. No more pulsing. No idea
why.

Al
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

"Big Al" <nospamsal1.TakeThisOut@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:474adc88$0$506$815e3792@news.qwest.net...
>
> "HLS" <nospam.TakeThisOut@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> news:Yjl2j.20608$4V6.3298@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
> > Karen,
> > That throbbing is a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn rotors
> > (thickness
> > variation) .
> >
> > If the rotors are not cut properly, or are installed without attention to
> > trueness,
> > this can become noticeable, and can get worse.
> >
> > It can also develop if someone has improperly tightened your lugnuts, or
> > if you have overheated the rotors excessively.
> >
> > If the work is not done correctly (to rectify the problem), the symptoms
> > can
> > return after a short period.
> >
> >
>
> This would have been my response too. Except, my 2002 Cavalier started the
> pulsing brake thing. It was after a tire change and I thought the same about
> warped rotors. Then I changed the front brake pads. No more pulsing. No idea
> why.
>
> Al
>
>
Big Al, I find your reply most interesting as I believe my problem showed up
shortly after having a front tire flat repaired and they did a courtesy tire
rotation. Approximately how many miles on your brake pads at that time? I have
about 10,000 on mine at the moment.

Karen
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

"Karen" <nomdeplume.RemoveThis@designation.com> wrote in message news:z4F2j.53209
> Big Al, I find your reply most interesting as I believe my problem showed
> up
> shortly after having a front tire flat repaired and they did a courtesy
> tire
> rotation. Approximately how many miles on your brake pads at that time? I
> have
> about 10,000 on mine at the moment.
>
> Karen

Good thing to keep in mind, Karen.. When I have had warpage problems in the
past, they have also come after the tire rotations..Because the idiots with
the impact
wrenches distorted my rotors.

A good mechanic can sort it out for you, whatever the cause. A bad one can
charge
you a lot, and your problem can recur.
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

Big Al wrote:
> "HLS" <nospam.DeleteThis@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> news:Yjl2j.20608$4V6.3298@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
>
>>Karen,
>>That throbbing is a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn rotors
>>(thickness
>>variation) .
>>
>>If the rotors are not cut properly, or are installed without attention to
>>trueness,
>>this can become noticeable, and can get worse.
>>
>>It can also develop if someone has improperly tightened your lugnuts, or
>>if you have overheated the rotors excessively.
>>
>>If the work is not done correctly (to rectify the problem), the symptoms
>>can
>>return after a short period.
>>
>>
>
>
> This would have been my response too. Except, my 2002 Cavalier started the
> pulsing brake thing. It was after a tire change and I thought the same about
> warped rotors. Then I changed the front brake pads. No more pulsing. No idea
> why.
>
> Al
>
>
I have noticed one issue with some after market brake pads on other
vehicles. It seems the friction surface is slightly too large or off
center. Then when the pads wear down, it leaves a edge over the top
of the rotor that can cause some strange effects. I just took a set of
my Taurus that had this very issue.

Bob
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem 

HLS wrote, "Another tip..dont ever let anyone near your rotors with an
impact wrench (air wrench)
This is common when some companies rotate your tires.
Not even if they tell you they use Torque Stix which will assure proper
lugnut
tightening. In the hands of an idiot, they can cause variations in
tightening that will come
back to cause you a repeat of the throbbing. Insist on hand tightening
using a torque wrench. "
**********************************************
One thing I would add to that is that even with a torque wrench, I
think it can still be done improperly.
I have seen people tighten lugnuts and jerk the wrench to make it
click, versus applying an even, steady pull to the wrench until it
clicks, as the wrench was designed to be used
It's like rather than trying to achieve uniform torque, they're merely
trying to make the wrench click.
 >> Stay informed about: Cavalier brake problem