Vibration when driving after replacing front brakes
Discussion
Hello everyone:
Last weekend I replaced my front brakes (rotors and pads) and after this I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel when rolling, not during braking.
Could you help me find out what's wrong, please?
Facts:
- Car: Seat Toledo 2016, original rotors (180 000km) and second set of pads (40% remaining).
- Tires professionally replaced 2000km before (quality Yokohama tires). There was no noticeable vibration before the brake job, at least it didnt call my attention.
- The front right brake squealed a little when turning right before changing the brakes. The bearing is apparently fine (no noise, no loosenes wih the wheel on the air). My guess is that the edge of the worn rotor was rubbing the edge of the pad. After the brake job, the squeal when turning is gone.
- New set of rotors and pads manufactured by ATE, not cheap, bought at a reputated dealer.
- The brake replacement was done carefully and in no hurry (yes I am an amateur/shadetree mechanic): The rust in the hub face was thoroughly cleaned with a metal brush and brake cleaner, the guides also cleaned and greased with copper grease, the back of the pads were also greased, the caliper guides were cleaned and greased. Not the first time I do this.
- Old rotors were a bit stuck, but came out after a few "gentle" hammer blows (not direct, I put a piece of wood in between).
Results:
- The car now brakes way better than before: good power, zero noise, zero vibration/braking pulsation when applying the brakes.
- When driving (without using the brake) at around 100km/h there is a slight vibration in the front that comes and goes, sometimes noticeable at the steering wheel, nothing crazy but enouh to rise a brow. It doesn't go worse with speed (up to 150km/h), maybe better?
Hypothesis:
1) New brake rotors came improperly balanced from the factory: Apparently this is quite unusual but not impossible, at least my rotors have a notch on the edge so it looks they were balanced.
2) New brake rotors improperly installed: I paid special attention to make sure the mating faces were perfectly clean and free of debris. The brakes feels perfectly smooth after replacement, so I almost rule out this possibility.
3) Wheels out of balance: Tires are new, fitted a couple of weeks ago, I don't think a weight could came loose when mounting/dismounting the wheel.
4) Wheels not perfectly centered on the hub: While cleaning the hub, the centering ring that pushes into the wheel was also cleaned, and this had a good layer of rust. Is it possible that by removing the rust there is now a gap between the hub and the hole of the wheel?
5) Bearings about to go? I would have to go to the shop for this.
My plan for this weekend:
1) Check rotor alignment with a dial gauge, if it is not OK, disassemble, check and clean again.
2) Check for loosenes between the wheel and the hub and pay extra attention to mount it pefectly centered. Check for missing balance weights.
3) If the vibration persists, go to the tire shop and have the wheels re-balanced, but I'm sure they are OK.
4) If the wheels are OK, then buy a new set of rotors (I can get Brembo or TRW) and replace again. If this works the I'll try to get a refund on the ATE set.
I'd like to solve this without having to go to a repair shop,
Thanks for your inputs.
TL/DR: I replaced the front rotors and pads (properly) and now the front vibrates, wheels are new and balanced, what is wrong? defective rotors?
Last weekend I replaced my front brakes (rotors and pads) and after this I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel when rolling, not during braking.
Could you help me find out what's wrong, please?
Facts:
- Car: Seat Toledo 2016, original rotors (180 000km) and second set of pads (40% remaining).
- Tires professionally replaced 2000km before (quality Yokohama tires). There was no noticeable vibration before the brake job, at least it didnt call my attention.
- The front right brake squealed a little when turning right before changing the brakes. The bearing is apparently fine (no noise, no loosenes wih the wheel on the air). My guess is that the edge of the worn rotor was rubbing the edge of the pad. After the brake job, the squeal when turning is gone.
- New set of rotors and pads manufactured by ATE, not cheap, bought at a reputated dealer.
- The brake replacement was done carefully and in no hurry (yes I am an amateur/shadetree mechanic): The rust in the hub face was thoroughly cleaned with a metal brush and brake cleaner, the guides also cleaned and greased with copper grease, the back of the pads were also greased, the caliper guides were cleaned and greased. Not the first time I do this.
- Old rotors were a bit stuck, but came out after a few "gentle" hammer blows (not direct, I put a piece of wood in between).
Results:
- The car now brakes way better than before: good power, zero noise, zero vibration/braking pulsation when applying the brakes.
- When driving (without using the brake) at around 100km/h there is a slight vibration in the front that comes and goes, sometimes noticeable at the steering wheel, nothing crazy but enouh to rise a brow. It doesn't go worse with speed (up to 150km/h), maybe better?
Hypothesis:
1) New brake rotors came improperly balanced from the factory: Apparently this is quite unusual but not impossible, at least my rotors have a notch on the edge so it looks they were balanced.
2) New brake rotors improperly installed: I paid special attention to make sure the mating faces were perfectly clean and free of debris. The brakes feels perfectly smooth after replacement, so I almost rule out this possibility.
3) Wheels out of balance: Tires are new, fitted a couple of weeks ago, I don't think a weight could came loose when mounting/dismounting the wheel.
4) Wheels not perfectly centered on the hub: While cleaning the hub, the centering ring that pushes into the wheel was also cleaned, and this had a good layer of rust. Is it possible that by removing the rust there is now a gap between the hub and the hole of the wheel?
5) Bearings about to go? I would have to go to the shop for this.
My plan for this weekend:
1) Check rotor alignment with a dial gauge, if it is not OK, disassemble, check and clean again.
2) Check for loosenes between the wheel and the hub and pay extra attention to mount it pefectly centered. Check for missing balance weights.
3) If the vibration persists, go to the tire shop and have the wheels re-balanced, but I'm sure they are OK.
4) If the wheels are OK, then buy a new set of rotors (I can get Brembo or TRW) and replace again. If this works the I'll try to get a refund on the ATE set.
I'd like to solve this without having to go to a repair shop,
Thanks for your inputs.
TL/DR: I replaced the front rotors and pads (properly) and now the front vibrates, wheels are new and balanced, what is wrong? defective rotors?
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff