HELP!! - Vibration when braking

1989 Accord LX Sedan.

I am at my wit's end with an ongoing brake problem. When braking in the 60-40 Km/H range, I get a severe vibration through the brake pedal, steering wheel, and basically the whole vehicle.

The following items have been replaced recently (Most needed to be done, some were out of frustration):

- Front pads
- Rear shoes
- Both front rotors <-- Genuine Honda
- Both rear drums
- Master cylinder <-- Rebuilt
- Both rear wheel cylinders
- Front right caliper <-- Rebuilt

Also, I just had all four tires replaced last week.

So I know the problem is not warped rotors or out of round drums. (As most people would suspect :) )

I think the problem is in the back brakes because if I apply the parking brake while driving the vibration starts.

I have spoken the my local Honda service center. After ruling out warped rotors/drums, they have also suggested that it might be a suspension problem, maybe a worn out bushing or something.

Does anyone have any ideas of what to look for?

Thanks a lot

Paul Stone
BC, Canada

Damn you covered all basics i was gonna suggest. Rear struts and springs in good shape? How about the bushing in the rear suspension? I know im not being alot of help, but it sounds like youve allready checked all the obvious things...


gunnmen01

If it has steel wheels, try out some alloys. Im not saying that will fix it, but a 96 Accord that had the exact same problems you are having tried that, and it worked. He had all his parts replaced too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to put it on the ramps in the next few days to check out the rear suspension.
I'm starting to really suspect that now because there is sometimes a knocking sound back there when I go over speed bumps.
Or maybe I just have something moving around in the trunk :)

Hey Guys

I have the same problem. My car is a 95 accord with almost 195K mile. I not a mechanic but I had all that done by the same mechanic. But still the same problem exist. After change the the brake pad and rotor the car would ride smooth for a while and the problem would come back. I change the front shock, change to brand new honda rotor and brake a couple of time. One time I even had the whole brake system front and back change out. I also have the both axle change cause my milage was high. Also my tires are in pretty good shape.

The problem I usually experience is at high speed around 60 and above. When I apply the brake the steering wheel would vibrate very heavily. Now if I were to careful apply the brake slowly, once in awhile is doesn't vibrate.

I like my car also I can't afford to get a new one right now. Anyone with some ideas on what i can try please let me know. Your help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

mathieu

Hey guys, that last post just reminded me that the problem is now fixed and working fine for the past three months.

I replaced the rear struts (this didn't completely solve the problem) and the rear upper balljoints and the problem went away completely. The balljoints were SOOOOO bad, it was almost embarassing. On one of them you could actually remove the ball from the socket!

I figure what was happening was that when I replaced or machined the rear drums the problem seemed to go away, because the pressure was released from the balljoints. This allowed them to re-seat themselves for a little while, and then the problem came back the first time I went over a speed bump. That's just a guess, but in any case they were bad and the problem is now fixed.

AND contrary to popular belief, you CAN (Yes you can) replace JUST the balljoint without replacing the whole control arm. It makes it quite a bit cheaper, and all you need is some snap-ring pliers and a small shop press (or a hammer and a piece of wood if you're careful)

I was just going to suggest that you replace your balljoints =)

Although now that it is fixed I guess it is pointless to mention this, but I will anyway. I have heard that on occasion your ABS can cause shaking when you brake. I believe I heard a mechanic say you have to replace the ABS pump to fix the problem, but I read a webpage saying it can be fixed an easier way. Sorry I don't have more info!

Weird... suspension get a new car would be the best bet :)

Hey Guys

Just wanted to say thank your feeback.

mathieu

What kind of pads did you put on??? If you got cheap pads they could have screwed up the rotors quick!! The best pads in the world are Rofren Brake Pads!! They will not damage anything and last forever the only place to get them is www.eurobraketech.com

I got the same problem... All I did was alignment my car....everything is fine now