Hi guys, I've been having some brake trouble. My front driver side tire keeps locking up on me when my car sits for a while. Then when i get out on the highway my steering wheel shakes and the whole car shakes when i apply the brakes, accompanied by a faint squeal. Am I going to need a whole brake overhaul?? Like new rotors, drums, pads and shoes?? How much money am i looking at here?
Sounds like what happened on my Chevy truck. Check the rubber brake lines for stress cracks and/or softness. My right front line was heating up during warm weather and stop and go traffic. Same symptoms, shaking, squealing and locking up. I went through rotors, pads, bearings and a master cylinder. . . and it was just a hose. :rant: Good luck. :TU:
You didn't say what model car you have.........but if it's front disc brakes, it sounds like you have a frozen caliper. :bglasses:
Could be a leaky caliper (getting fluid on the pads) or a leaky wheel cylinder if it's front drums ( getting fluid on the shoes). Either way it's a pretty inexpensive fix if you do it yourself... calipers are usually under $30 ( I've bought them for $12 before, depending on the vehicle) same thing if it's a leaky wheel cylinder , maybe $25 or less, and a new set of pads or shoes, usually under $20 If you're not handy, it might be a good time to try a repair yourself - go through your phone list and find a buddy whose done it before, let them know *you* are the one who's going to do the work, you just need someone to show you how to do it. otherwise, expect a bill in the $200 range.... could be alot more if they see you coming... :rant:
My mom had an 88 Cutlass Sierra with a similar problem. The first time was a binding rear shoe. I guess the pads tend to soak moister and expand. A certain brand was a fix for that, but I forget which brand. The other time it was the front passenger caliper. The bushing was scored (I have no idea how that happened) and would hang when the breaks were applied. It was easy to replace with a part from the local store.
Its a 1977 Buick Electra with front rotors. I'll do the work myself for sure. The pads look new but should I change them anyway? I'm gonna buy new rotors, drums, pads, shoes, calipers and flex hoses. That should fix everything possibly wrong with the brakes, right?
If we're talking front brakes, a "complete" job would include pads, rotors, a hardware kit ( pins and bushings) wheel seals and possibly hoses - most people ignore the hoses, but since yours are old enough to vote, if you've got the bucks I'd go for it. For the rears, wheel cylinders, shoes, drums ( if yours can't be turned) and a hardware kit ( springs,pins, and retainers) and if you're doing all that, you might as well replace the master cylinder ( prolly about $30) so you don't need to think about the brakes for at least 30 thousand miles... If the parts people are nice to ya, you're looking at a couple of bills, but compared to having it done you'll be saving alot of green. :beer
And check the bearings and rear axle seals while it's apart. This could go on and on and on and on.......................!
You were planning on the drums, rotors, shoes, pads, calipers, and hoses. To do what Razzy and Bill Mah suggest wouldn't add that much to the cost. At least get new/rebuilt drum cylinders and master cylinder. Add the hardware kits and the only "old" thing in your brake system would be the hard lines You'll have to clean, inspect and pack the bearings before putting them in the new rotors, so why not just buy new ones in the first place? They're not too expensive. Of course, the vacuum brakes won't reach their full potential without a built engine... See how a simple repair gets costly?
I see. Oh well, with something as important as the brakes, I dont mind spending a few extra dollars. Perhaps I wont change the master cylinder. I'll have to decide what to get when I rip into er :Brow:
