I just replaced all the front brake pads on my 2002 Accord SE. I had to get the rotors resurfaced since they were warped. I inspected the rotors after the resurface job and they looked very clean. After re-installing like the manual says the car is running fine but when I press the brake pedals it wobbles. At higher speeds, like on the freeway, these wobbles are much more pronounced and start shaking the steering.

I have installed brake pads on my '96 Accord twice and did not have this problem. Can anyone suggest what may be the problem here?

One thing that I did differently this time is that when the brake oil started overflowing from the reservoir under the hood I just closed the cap back, hoping to contain the overflow . Is it possible that there is air in the brake-oil line and that is causing this wobbling problem?

I will appreciate any useful suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

Well the 96 had rotors that could come off as easy as the new car so im guessing you either had them cut on the car or just didn't cut them. Sad to say the best way to cut rotors is on the car. Unfortunately you have know idea what condition the guy that cut the rotors machine is in. It could have a bent shaft and or you don't know what experiance he has either. I think the best way to fix this is just buy new rotors. or have them cut on the car.

 

Since when are rotors cut on the car?
I've never seen that before.
The usually remove all rotors and calibrate the machine for cutting.

I would say he did a half ass job

 

Had that done all the time on the press-on rotors on my 4th gen. Gives a nice even cut. Of course not all shops have the equipment to do it that way.

In this case, it sounds like either improper pad deposition from the new pads, or that the rotors are still warped.

 

A high end shop and every Honda dealer does them on the car. Most shops don't use tbecause of the wide veriety of addapters needed to put the lathe on the car. As far as calibrating the machine. There is no calibration. Either its chucked up right or its not. And there isn't anyway of knowing if the lathe's shaft is bent untill you cut them.

 

:werd: The brake fluid won't cause the wobbling...warped rotors. I'd just get some new Brembo blank oem replacement rotors and call it a day. You can get rotors for our cars so cheap I haven't even considered having mine turned. My OEM's lasted for 75K miles, and I'm on my first set of Brembo blanks, working great.

 

> I'd just get some new Brembo blank oem replacement rotors and call it a day.
Can you recommend any store for these rotors?

 

I had this same issue on my S10 and it was caused by too much tension on the bearings when I re installed the hub nut for the repacked bearings.
(I don't think this can happen on an Accord )

However that said, did they balance the rotors after turning?

You will find that most higher end rotors have weights on the viens or rear face for balance. Turning your rotors may have taken off too much metal and put one or both out of balance. Either have them rebalanced or just get new ones.

I rarely if ever turn my rotors, I find that 99.9% of the time they are within service limits. (purchase a cheap set of dial guages and micrometer from a tawain tool place, priceless IMO) If that is the case most brakes pad mfg. suggest not turning the rotors. Turning most newer rotors just leads to premature warping of the discs.