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I really hope someone can enlighten me a bit more

I'm new to the forum but basically I have a 1999 Honda Civic LX which has about 285,000 miles on it. I've taken great care of the engine so I plan on it running for at least another 100,000 miles (plus I don't have money for a new car anyway)

Now, about 4 months ago I noticed there was a mild amount of noise and some brake pedal pulsation when braking from about 60-20 mph. It is certainly coming from the front right side so I might assume it's my front right rotor..

The thing is, there is no shaking or feeling from that in the steering wheel, which many people claim to have when they have a warped rotor, just pulsation in the brake pedal when braking at higher speeds.

Before I go out and spend $80 on new rotors which I will probably install myself, I just wanted to find out if anyone had any other ideas on what it might be. I took it to one mechanic and he said it doesn't seem like they're warped but frankly I believe you'd need a tool to measure that.

I've also sanded down the rotors with 80 grit paper because they had a mirror-like finish so I figured the burn marks on them could have been doing that... it seemed to help until I braked from a 60 mph speed and noticed the pedal pulsation was still there.

I already have installed new brake pads to see if that could have been the culprit (as the old ones were more than halfway gone and about 4 years old) but that made no difference so I took them off and put the old ones back on at least until I get new rotors (if needed)

Any information would be greatly appreciated, I will check back frequently, hopefully there will be some ideas after I get home from work later on tonight.

Thanks to everyone,
Daniel Kablack

 
Rep Power: 512

You don't have to replace them.. just get them machined.. sanding them with 80 grit sandpaper really won't do anything useful

 
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Agreed, first they are measured and then machined. You can find new rotors pretty cheap, might want to go that route, but you should do the pads as well.

I would call around and see how much someone would charge to machine them, if 30 bucks or so I would try that.

 
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Machine or change your rotors... it isn't expensive and it will fix your problem. Why are you trying so hard to save crappy old rotors when new ones are so cheap?

 
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because machining old rotors is cheaper, and if you're not looking for performance, then why the hell not?

 
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I agree with you man... but he doesn't even want to do that I'm wondering why haha.

 
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haha

speaking of warped rotors, mine are prolly slightly warped.. hehe

 
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yea, definately get some new rotors, pretty cheap to do. also, check the pads. now would be a good time to change those too if they're worn.

 
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Thanks for the responses guys..

I only asked about it because Rotors at the local auto parts store are about $38 a piece (advance auto parts)

I also noticed after sanding it.. today there seemed to be less of a pulsation but it was still there... I will replace the rotors I guess

 
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by the way.. anyone got a website or anything I could find cheaper rotors (less than $35)... I figured I'd ask since alot of people get things online these days but I dont know which sites to trust

 
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Honestly 38 bucks is pretty cheap per rotor. I would not go too cheap, because you can usually get them cut 1 time later on.

 
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Alright.. thing is I've never had these rotors cut down.. but they do show some signs of heat spots.. I'm debating whether to have a shop machine them for me.. not sure how much it might cost but if it saves any money it's good for me

 
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A good shop will not machine them if they are too thin. General protocol is to measure the rotor and if it shows to be a certain thickness they machine them. It's worthwhile to take them in and get them to at least measure them. That's generally what you do before you go and get new ones.

 
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I was going to take it in but then I found rotors for $25 a piece.. I don't know if a shop would charge me just to look at them and measure them, and I will likely install them myself

 
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25 dollar rotors will last you about 25 days. Get yourself a decent set and you'll be good for a long time. Here in Canada Napa has awesome rotors.

 
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Check out www.importrp.com. I got my Brembo OE rotors for about $30 each.

 
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here is the link to your rotors http://www.importrp.com/home.php?cat=38

 
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wow.. that's dirt cheap for brembo blanks

 
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No kidding! They also have awesome prices on pads. I will also buy from them when my rear drums need to be replaced.

 
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I like my rear disc conversion.. hehe

Edit: w00t, 10k posts!

too bad it was pointed out to me 4 posts later..

 
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thanks a bunch guys

 
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I've been thinking of doing that, but unsure of all the parts I would need, lol.

 
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rsx or acura 1.7el e-brake cables and the rear knuckle assembly from a 02-03 civic si hatch.. that's about it.. ran me $400 for the knuckle assemblies and another $100 for the e-brake cable

i think boilermaker1 made a really good DIY guide with a parts list

 
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I had a shop put on cheap no name ones (basically the ones they chose, I didn't pick them) and the pad/rotors aren't really lasting.

I had them changed because they were warped bad.

 
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I hear ya. I put brand new cheapies on and they were warped out of the box lol.. ran those for about... 6000 miles and had to replace them... That was a **** off.

 
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Yeah mine have been on for about 3k kms and they are already making a grinding noise :@

Def. going with a better brand next time.

Also, my back brakes are making a weird clicking noise whenever I brake firmly on downhills :S

 
Rep Power: 512

I'd go with those cheap as hell brembo blanks..

 
Rep Power: 314

Clicking? This is caused by warped drums so it's time for a change. Don't get cheap ones because it will happen again in a month Drum warpage causes the shoes to move laterally inside the drum which causes the clicking noise.

 
Rep Power: 512

eew.. drum brakes... lol

 
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Too bad they are spelled "Brambo" LOL j/k