Hi,

I can’t tell if it’s the rear rotors or the front rotors that are warped! Whenever I brake, the whole car sorta vibrates or jerks. It only happens when I apply the brakes halfway. If I apply them hard, no shakes.

any idea if it’s the rear rotors vs front? I literally just changed the rear brake pads (but didn’t turn the rear rotors) and the problem still persisted. My rear pads were pretty worn out (almost touching the sensor) so I replaced them thinkin the shaking was due to super worn pads but guess I was wrong.

any idea if it’s front rotors vs rear ? I was trying to check if it’s just the pedal vs steering wheel shaking but I feel like the entire car vibrates when I brake, so it’s hard to tell. Also, the front brake pads are still fairly new from when the previous owner replaced them.

 

Is it AWD or RWD?

 

rear wheel drive.

 

Did you check the calipers? Do the rotors have hot spots or some kind of unusual wear?

 

rear rotor, if whole car shakes,
front rotor if steering wheel shakes,

 

not sure how to check for unusual wear on the rotor. I was just going to take off the rotor and get them resurfaced. Haha. But was hoping someone would know right away whether it’s the front vs rear rotors

 

has this happened to you before ? Well the entire car shakes lol…. Ugh I just replaced the rear brake pads…. Should’ve replaced the rear rotors while I was at it… darn it.

how sure are you that it’s the rear rotor that’s causing the vibration? It only happens at high speed when braking. Curious if anyone else has experienced vibrations while braking.

for some odd reason, I have a feeling it’s the front only because I’ve only witnessed front rotors being warped in my other cars. Haven’t seen rear rotors warping before, except through random google searches.

 

My LS is the same, the whole car shakes when braking at high speed > 80 mph.
It has always been like this even after all rotors and pads were replaced at 55k miles (labor $50 per wheel, akebono pads and centric rotor from rockauto)
so now I just remind myself that this is not a race car, and try go easy with braking.

 

If it happened after new brakes install, it could be the case not properly bedded in brakes.

 

wow even though you changed all rotors; you’re still getting vibrations when braking at high speed? That’s odd!

 

Most times, it's hard to tell. Given that most of the braking is done by the front wheels, its usually the front rotors that get warped.

 

Yes that’s what I’m thinking too, since the front brakes do more of the work. Yeah I think it’s the front even though it’s super hard to tell.

I’ll get the front rotors resurfaced and throw in new brake pads. Crossing my fingers that the vibration / shaking goes away!!

 

I don't think anyone mentioned that new rotors can easily get warped when wheel lugs nuts are tightened in the wrong sequence or overtightened. It happens.

 

Any chance this is a brake actuator problem?

 

wonder if there is a special brand of rotor that is stiffer and more warp resistant