Brakes/Wheel problems? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

BullittSVT · 10-07-2011, 12:28 AM

ALLLLLLLLLRIIIGGHHTTYYY then, first things first.

01 Z28, got my brother (don't trust much) and my friend later on (who I trust) to install new centric rotors and axxis performance brake pads on to my car. Followed by C5 Thin Spokes I bought off a member here.

I get vibrations randomly that aren't HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIII but are noticeable while driving around usual roads. I also get wheel rub in the rear (I can see where it rubs.. easily hammerable) while launching or hard turning. At speeds 65+ I get loose brake feel and the stopping power is pretty much awful with really choppy brake feel that doesn't like to go down much. Anything under that I have passenger launching capabilities with great break feel (I can get that ABS lock feeling if I slam it). The brake pads are properly installed.. but could there be a problem with the calipers? Or possibly wheel problems? I never had any of these problems previous to these upgrades.

My brake fluid is old and dark colored..

Throw some stuff at me before I take it to the shop and get everything redone and checked over/bled

BigAls87Z28 · 10-07-2011, 01:49 AM

Ahh..well, where to start.
1) Vibrates hard when you brake, or when you drive?
2) Loose brake feel? Like, it's not stopping? Choppy brake feel? Pedal doesn't go down?

Jersey Mike · 10-07-2011, 02:02 AM

Not sure about C5 wheels, but OEM C6 wheels have a different offset that requires hub centric adapters to properly fit.
As far as rubbing, what size tires? Is your rear centered? BFH it.

Did anyone bed the brakes in after installing the new pads & rotors?

If they didn't disconnect the line from the back of the caliper (and simply just pulled the caliper & bracket off the rotor & hung it from the spring/control arm or something) then you shouldn't have gotten any air in the lines & wouldn't have had to bleed your brakes or worry about the fluid.

BullittSVT · 10-07-2011, 02:05 AM

Vibrates when i'm driving normally (doesn't vibrate most of the time), and when I brake the pedal has like no feel and it won't engage much until i'm at lower speeds. The brakes themselves don't feel choppy, they just won't stop them up at higher speeds and the whole pedal just doesn't feel proper.

EDIT - Yes, I broke in the brakes properly.

NJ Torque · 10-07-2011, 05:59 AM

Tire/wheel out of balance, Or Bent wheel/internaly damaged tire.

And the panic stoping on the C5 wheels... you'll get that with the much smaller tires on the front of them...

BigAls87Z28 · 10-07-2011, 11:59 AM

I would look at what Jersey Mike said. Wheels should be sitting perfectly on the hub, and there should be no gaps. If there is, you will have to measure the ID of the wheel, and the OD of the hub. Then call up a local wheel shop or search on line for a pair of hub rings.
I would check to make sure you didn't twist the brake hose when you put the caliper back on, and I would also bleed the brakes just to be sure.

JL8Jeff · 10-07-2011, 01:53 PM

You might want to put the old tires/wheels back on and see how it feels. But based on the brake feel, it sounds like something isn't right. It could be air so try bleeding the brakes. You might have to pull off the calipers to verify they are moving properly. On my Z71 pickup the rear calipers are supposed to float and when I replaced the rotors/pads they barely went in and I could feel it dragging so I pulled them off and noticed the calipers weren't floating. It could also be a warped rotor or maybe it's not seated all the way level causing it to feel like a vibration. Worst case might be a bent axle flange or front hub.

BullittSVT · 10-07-2011, 01:53 PM

I would say that it's my rear wheels giving the vibration, the rear left wheel went out slightly weirder (didn't sit right until bolted on) so that could be a possible culprit.

sweetbmxrider · 10-07-2011, 03:26 PM

Check for a twisted hose.

Tires might be out of balance. Is the vibration only a specific speeds? Cruising/accel/decel?

Is the brake pedal staying high or going low?

Jersey Mike · 10-07-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullittSVT

Vibrates when i'm driving normally (doesn't vibrate most of the time), and when I brake the pedal has like no feel and it won't engage much until i'm at lower speeds. The brakes themselves don't feel choppy, they just won't stop them up at higher speeds and the whole pedal just doesn't feel proper.

EDIT - Yes, I broke in the brakes properly.

If you have to have your brake pedal floored just to *slowly* slow down, then there is still air in the brake lines & you have to bleed them to get it right.

I'd look into the above.
The vibration is a separate issue though. Do some testing; find the speeds/conditions when you feel the vibration, and then go throw another set of wheels on and recreate the same conditions to see if the problem goes away. If it does, you've found your culprit. If it doesn't, you know the wheels/tires are fine.

Get back to us.

WildBillyT · 10-07-2011, 04:05 PM

Even if it's not related to the problem, it sounds like you need to replace and bleed your brake system.

BullittSVT · 10-08-2011, 02:12 PM

The vibrations happen when cruising at around 50~ but more or less doesn't happen often Brake pedal stays high, and I will look into getting it bled soon.

LS1ow · 10-09-2011, 05:54 AM

braking isnt something you really want to play around with lol i advise gettin your problems solved asap! and it cant hurt to take the vette wheels to a local shop and have the balance checked.

sweetbmxrider · 10-09-2011, 10:02 AM

Definitely sounds like a balance on the wheels, check that first. Your brakes issue is tough to guess at over the internet, I would have to agree with Mr. Internet Famous and correct it asap, even if it means going to a local shop.

LS1ow · 10-09-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Definitely sounds like a balance on the wheels, check that first. Your brakes issue is tough to guess at over the internet, I would have to agree with Mr. Internet Famous and correct it asap, even if it means going to a local shop.

not even i would drive a car with faulty brakes... and ive been running open MAF for a week...