Now What Was That Noise?

[doclees]

Ok here we go again with a mystery noise on the 93 ATX. You know the old Stooges movies where they are driving down the road and parts are being left in the road behind them? Well it kinda sounds like that without the parts falling. I step on the break normal and I feel a little tight wobble because of warped rotors(I think). Then as I slow to a stop I get more peddle surge and a sound like the calipers are flopping around with a grinding sound. Or like a bad CV joint. Drives great. Corners great. Pulled the tires and brakes look good. No obvious wobble in front end parts. Noting strange with rotating the shafts back and forth. The only thing that I can see might be odd is on one rotor the play in the lug nut stud holes allows for about 3-4 degs play. Could I be just not torquing the lugs on enough?

 

[Bizzy]

That would be a good place to start. If they've been loose long enough it can actually wear on the stud holes in your rims. Though that would take a little bit of time I'd think. Torque the lug nuts to 80-100 ft. lbs. and see if that helps anything.

Also check all your brake pads while you're at it. Make sure that where the pads touch the rotors are nice and shiny. (not rusted at all)

Edit: You might also consider checking to make sure the rotors are securely attached to the brackets and that the brackets are secure on the back of the spindle. Just to be on the safe side.

 

[doclees]

Rotor on brackets? Do you mean calipers on brackets? I'll need to look that one up in the book. I'll get the torque wrench out tonight and not go by feel. Thanks

 

[doclees]

Hey Buzzy, or anyone,

Can a brake problem in one wheel cause a brake problem in another? This is why I ask. Driving home today I noticed lots of brake pad smell. Thought it was a truck in front of me until I saw the smoke coming from my left rear wheel. Now I replaced everything in this wheel last year, pads caliper, break line and ebrake line due to fire from brake line failure. No fire this time. Haven't taken the wheel off yet to see the damage. I made it home with down shifting and CA rolling stops. No smoke after about 2 miles.

I am fairly sure I changed both rear flex brake lines but not the front.

Well I pulled the rear brakes and found one of the guide shafts had lost its grease and rusted. I am soaking it in PB blaster and will try to hone it out. After I will retorque the front lugs and let you know how it did.

Rear fixed no change in front. I'll try brake cleaner.