Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

juddering when braking

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 06:29 AM
  #1  
mjaynemarie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
juddering when braking

the disc the brake pads have been replaced every time i brake hard i get a juddering can anybody help
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 06:46 AM
  #2  
40w8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 7
When my 07 was new, it took about a year and a few track days to stop that.

It's probably the glue in the pads which can be rubbed off the dics somewhat with laquer thinner or gas.

On some cars the rotors can heat spot and do that, but the RX8 brakes are very good, and mine don't heat spot.

So what you need to do is bed the new pads in by driving on a deserted road up to 60-70mph and brake real hard several times, then go driving around very gently to let them cool off.

They might smell like solvent, but that means they need bedding, and the next day you drive the pulsing should stop.

In a rare instance depending on what you mean, the abs could be going off, but the bedding in is still necessary.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:19 AM
  #3  
ken-x8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Were the discs sanded down before the new pads were put on? Could just be old grunge on them. If the discs were replaced or resurfaced, were they checked for lateral run-out?

I've had juddering from both of those on other cars. Personally, I'd take a look at that stuff before trying the bedding in. YMMV.

Ken
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:39 AM
  #4  
rotarykillz's Avatar
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Even though you replaced the rotors (discs?) make sure you had them turned first. I put a fresh set on my 8 when I had it and still had juddering until I had them turned and then hard braking was very smooth.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 10:12 AM
  #5  
mjaynemarie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
brakes juddering

before putting the new discs on i cleaned them off and i rubbed the protective stuff of the pads ! it does not seem to be coming from the brakes or the disc and as got me baffled ? any ideas anyone? and thanks for previous replies
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
ken-x8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
If it's not the brakes you need to look for worn suspension parts, or maybe something like bad alignment and munged tires. But since it was OK before you changed the brakes, I would really suspect the brakes.

Since you cleaned the rotors, you might check for run-out. Take off a wheel, rig some kind of pointer that just touches the rotor, then turn it. If it's not true, it could be a bad rotor that can be fixed by turning or returning. Also possible for it to not be seated squarely on the hub due to some crud on the back side.

I had a couple of instances of brake juddering on my Honda. Once it was because of a misaligned replacement wheel bearing, and once because of an out-of-true new rotor.

If the run-out is OK, then do the bedding that 40w8 suggested. And accept my apology for distracting you with other possibilities.

Ken
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 05:24 PM
  #7  
Rudolph's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 10
From: Utrecht, Netherlands
EU

The "Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking System
(by Carroll Smith)

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...akedisk.shtml#
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 05:57 PM
  #8  
ken-x8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Originally Posted by Rudolph
The "Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking System
(by Carroll Smith)

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...akedisk.shtml#
Forgot to mention the most obvious possibility...although this might be an insult to the OP.

Unevenly torqued lugs. That will warp a rotor. I've had that happen a number of times on safety inspections. Bubba pulls a wheel, then runs the lug nuts back on one at a time tightening each all the way on the first shot. Fixed by loosening them and tightening properly.

Carroll Smith has never seen this because he's not Bubba. Not by a long shot.

Be careful about the myth that what happens with race cars, and competent mechanics, always applies to street cars.

Ken
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 10:09 PM
  #9  
Grace_Excel's Avatar
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 7
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Here's a good link, take an hour or two to read this very informative post: BRAKE FAQ. I have the same problem and it's because of an air bubble in the lines. It's not bothersome that's why I haven't taken care mine. I should because it may potentially cause an uneven wear on either the brake pads or my tires.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2011 | 11:06 PM
  #10  
alnielsen's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 8
From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
I think you'll find that one of the pins that the caliper slides on is frozen due to corrosion. I have been told that it is difficult, but not impossible, to get it off, clean it up and put brake grease on those pins. If the boot is broken, there is a caliper rebuild kit that comes with new boots.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2011 | 11:37 AM
  #11  
Grace_Excel's Avatar
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 7
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Originally Posted by alnielsen
I think you'll find that one of the pins that the caliper slides on is frozen due to corrosion...
Yes, that could be a cause, as well. I had that problem too, and if I can remember I think it's a 12 mm and a 13 mm wrench is used to remove the bolt and the floating pin, respectively. I also used a flat head and rubber mallet to remove mine.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2011 | 05:36 AM
  #12  
mjaynemarie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks for all your info I have cleaned the sliders and greased them I have completly stripped the calipers and brakes still no change
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2011 | 10:26 PM
  #13  
Grace_Excel's Avatar
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 7
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Bubbles within the fluid in the brake lines or resurface your rotors

Last edited by Grace_Excel; Jul 2, 2011 at 01:47 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2011 | 08:51 AM
  #14  
MazdaSalesProfessional's Avatar
Please steal this car
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Vienna
Do you ever use wheel acid to clean your wheels? I have found that some of the wheel cleaners will alter the surface of the rotors enough to cause a shudder even though the brake pad and rotors are new or next to new.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2011 | 05:05 AM
  #15  
40w8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 7
After 3 weeks of trial and error, I still say to bed them in, and then, come back and tell us if they're smoother or not.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2011 | 07:02 AM
  #16  
Grace_Excel's Avatar
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 7
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Originally Posted by 40w8
After 3 weeks of trial and error, I still say to bed them in, and then, come back and tell us if they're smoother or not.

But, isn't it the same as having the rotors resurfaced?
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2011 | 06:05 AM
  #17  
40w8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by Grace_Excel
But, isn't it the same as having the rotors resurfaced?
It might sound like it, but go read up, and you'll see that the heat changes the iron rotors into a material with different characteristics.

The stock brakes are so good that I drove around hard for a year without bedding my brakes in, and you could smell them on my first track day.

I've driven all my cars without using brakes much ( gets better mileage and speeds through corners).

I used to have Ford F150 calipers that ran too tight, and would eat on the rotors, so I just put new pads on, and let the pads clean up the surface of the rotors.

Like I said earlier: My 07 GT 8 had all that gummy glue pulsing for about a year, but at 27k miles and approx 12 track days, they are smooth as glass, and barely worn.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fourwhls
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
7
Feb 20, 2019 05:16 PM
hufflepuff
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
6
May 30, 2016 10:45 AM
Road Cone
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
5
Nov 6, 2015 01:52 PM
jasonrxeight
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
8
Oct 3, 2015 09:51 AM
D13
Series I Trouble Shooting
0
Oct 1, 2015 07:55 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:57 PM.