96 Accord EX sedan 4 dr - steering wheel shaking / warped rotors

Dear Honda experts.

My Accord has 58k miles on it. Last year I had the front brakes pads
replaced. I had my local mechanic put in the Raybestos Quiet
stop(Ceramic pads), which I bought from Kragen Auto parts. Four months
later the steering wheel started shaking. Most of the mechanics told
me the problem is warped rotors and I should have had them machined
when I changed the pads. Well the solution sugested was turning the
rotors. I beleive they took off .4mm from both sides(.8 mm total, I
hope I am correct)- done by the Midas shop. The problem was fixed and
I was happy. Ten months later the steering wheel is shaking again.
After taking to all kinds of mechanics and shops I have gotten the
answers from rear brake adjustment problems, to brake pads too hard,
to tightened lug nuts, to worn out rotors, to suspension etc etc.
Kragen guys deny that the brake pads are bad and honda guys think it
otherwise.

Would any one have any idea what is going on, and what my course of
action should be. Most of the honda service shops want to replace or
machine my rotors and definitely change the brake pads to original
honda pads. Also I would like to know what the limits are for
machining front rotors. The car itself is in very good condition and
well serviced. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Raj

 

There is really no repair for this. Every car I have owned has had warped
rotors. Generally this is caused by overtorqued lugnuts but I always torque
my lugs with a Mac torque wrench whenever the wheels are removed and put
back on...I think it is just a problem with a lot of cars.

Our deliver Windstar van has warped rotors, my new 95 Mustang Gt had warped
rotors after a 1000 miles, my 93 new Escort had them, my second 95 Gt conv
had them, my current honda has them...The Honda's rotors were replaced and
then they warped again...

 

The fact that you've always had warped rotors certainly doesn't indicate
that there's no repair. I've had warped rotors, and if they can't be
machined they can be replaced. Warped rotors is not a normal, expected
running condition--it wasn't in my previous Pontiac, and I sure wouldn't
accept it in my current '94 Civic. Warped rotors reduce braking
efficiency and the excess vibration increases wear on other components.

Abe

 

There is a repair...In all of my vehicles I repaired the warped rotors by
having them replaced under warranty..they soon warped again..so once again I
state my case that warped rotors are pretty much inevitable unless you drive
like my grandma.

CaptainKrunch

 

Something was on a local news show here about brakes this week and the type of
pads you use.It said dealer installed ones are organic and are used for no
brake noise. The mettalic ones you buy somewhere else leave no dust and last
longer but they create more heat and warp rotors.

 

I have a similar problem with my 97 Accord Wagon.
I suspect that it is actually caused by the calipers
sticking, when they should slide. Almost all brake discs
will suffer some run-out, even if they are not warped.
The floating caliper is designed to take up small amounts
of lateral movement. If either side of the caliper is sticking
then the run-out will cause vibration against that side.

The solution (if this is the problem) is to have the calipers
cleaned up, and the caliper pins regreased. I haven't got
round to getting this done on mine - the problem is that
everywhere just wants to replace stuff rather than fix it.

Out of interest, do you find the amount of vibration varies
with the weather? I can go a whole winter with no problem,
then have it happen every day in the summer.

HTH, Al

 

Hmmm. Maybe I drive like your grandma, then. I *was* trained as a child
to be nice to my equipment. Lasts longer that way, and I don't suffer
for it. ;-)

Abe

 

Dear Honda experts.

I will have someone look at calipers as well. Thanks for the
suggestion. The vibration is intermittent at low speed and almost
persistent at high speeds. It has gone up by the day although. Haven't
noticed anything with teh weather change.

 

I don't think that's it either. I ride my car ('01 Accord EX V6) pretty
hard and at 104,000 I'm still on my original rotors.