I just installed new brake pads and rotors. I was taking it for a spin after I was done and a cat ran out in front of me out of no where so I hit the brakes pretty hard to avoid running it over. But when I did that my car jerked left. I checked the brake lines and the master cylinder and they seem fine. Any idea how I can fix this? Also my left front brake rotor is getting a lot hotter then the other 3 and it's making a weird smell. Any help will be appreciated, thanks guys!

 

Jerking left could have been a rut in the road that pulled your tires left.

The first thing I would check would be the caliper slide pins. Did you take them out and check their condition and regrease them? If not, water and dirt could have gotten into them and they could have rusted and ceased. Now that you have thicker pads the pins/caliper aren't where they need to be.

 

Great more work lol ok that sounds like a good idea. I'll take it back apart and see. Also do you think it could be that the brake piston is sticking or something? I tested out braking from around 50mph and it jerks left every time but around 30-40mph it doesn't jerk at all to either side

 

for the left front brake rotor, remove and reinstall the brake pad. make sure its setting flat to the rotor.
thats what i did with my 8.

 

Do this, but an important step is to make sure the pins slide freely. You do not want them to "rebound" or stick. Remove excess grease with a drill bit, and if the slide pin stays extended there may also be a air pocket. Depress the pin completely and take a small flat head or pocket screwdriver, peel back the rubber dust boot on the slide pin to relieve the air pocket and/or excess grease. Confirm by moving the slide pin gently back and forth and make sure it operates smoothly but returns to it's "depressed" position.

 

All great tips. I'm gonna try all of this tomorrow after work. Will taking it to work and back be bad for my rotor or pad if I just take it easy? Or will it damage it?

 

If your brake is hanging up and getting hot without pressing the pedal, on a long trip might not be good. If it's a short trip probably ok. Not sure though

Also becareful of the pokey bits on the brake pad clips, they like to reach out and rip the boots, especially on the fronts.

On the rears make sure the **** on the pad is in the slot in the piston.

 

I took apart my caliper and sure enough one of the guide pins was sticking. I cleaned it up and re-greased it and put it back together and it brakes perfectly now thanks a lot guys I really appreciate the help!

 

Glad to help


I've never heard of this, wouldn't the pressures in the brake system "burp" the air out?

 

Highly unlikely. I've seen air pockets stuck in both the brake lines and in guide pins after doing service on them.

Perhaps in rare instances, but why chance it?

 

Sure.... Thanks for the tip

 

I have a 2007 Mazda RX8 and my heater is not working I found a puddle of water on the passenger side and my motor is getting hotter than normal... What can it be? Is it my heater core and how do I fix it???

 

What the hell does your heater issue have to do with this thread being about a brake problem.

Go start your own damn thread, will you?

BC.