ok guys this is a new one on me, if im doing 55mph down the highway and i have to hit the brakes, not even hitting them hard my cars starts to shake pretty bad especially the steering wheel...the civic has 81,000 mile on it is it a tranny thing(AUTOMATIC), all the brakes are fine....axel problem? heck i dont know i hope you guys can help me

and another thing you think it will be covered by wy powertrain warrenty?

thanks guys
Jason

Warped rotors is my guess. Also, do you get any shake when pulling up the parking brake at higher speeds ?

this isnt a problem with your powertrain. As craigW said, more then likely your brake rotors have too much runout on them causing the vibration at high speeds when braking. You can check them by removing the tires and physically measuring the runout on the rotors. You need a dial indicator to do so. You can also check the thickness variation in 3 or 4 places around the rotor. Now once you figure out how much material is left, compare that with the specs for the max refinishing limit. The specs on the rotors are 19 MM. If you are close to that amount, you might as well just replace the rotors. I say that because if you have too much runout, and you are close to the service limit, refinishing them wont do you any good.

i havent tried to pull the e-brake at high speeds i will check that tommorow, as for the rotors they havent been changed latley neither have the pads....so i dont think they would just start doing this would they?, but i will check into this also

thanks guys for all the help
Jason

well, my 2004 automatic does the same exact thing and i barely have 15,800 miles on it!!!! umm what can it be?!?!?!??


-PeTeY!! ::EM2::

My 2k1 lx (auto) does the same thing, checked the rotors and pads but they all checked out fine. I've had that problem for a while and still have no idea wtf it could be.

you all have said you have checked the rotors, but have you measured them? Visual inspections wont tell you anything but whether or not your pads are worn out and need to be changed or whether your rotors have scoring on them. But visually you wont be able to tell if you have runout or not. you need to use a dial indicator and mount it to the rotor and spin it while on the car. this will measure the runout on the rotor.

Now as for the parking brake, pulling it can be useful as to checking to see where the vibration comes from. If you pull it at low speeds and the car starts vibrating, then you know that the problem is in the rear brakes. Can also still be in the front, but now you know that part of the issue is in the rear. If it doesnt vibrate when pulling the e-brake, then the problem lies in the front.

I have the same problem, w/ my 03 ex (manual) with 21k miles.. It doesnt shake a ton, just a bit when I brake over about 55-60. It was worse before I had a rotate and balance done (even tho I got it about 1k early (was going every 7500)) It's not too bad for now but once I can afford it I want to replace the rotors.

but my problem is that i only have 15k miles......thiers no way the rotor or the pads are worn, and my brake system is still stock...so.....should i take it to honda?

^^^ Call them up and take it in under warranty.

IMO all rotors are just cheap junk anymore OEM or aftermarket.

ok ill try to do that later on today

sounds like warped rotors. sometimes you can tell just by spinning the hub without the wheel on. look at the brake pads, and if you see that the rotor is wavy, then that is the problem. or you can take it somewhere for a brake check, and ask them to spin the rotors on the brake lathe. if they say they are warped, asked to see them spin and you can confirm it.

doesnt matter how many miles are on the car, rotors can warp after a few hundred miles. You dont need to take it to honda, go to any brake shop or trusted independent shop who do free brake inspections and aks them to check them.

For the love of god don't pull the e-brake at speed. You;ll lock the rear end and crash the car. I wouldn't be surprised if the rotors warped. Just go buy new ones... they're $19 each at autozone.
And for whoever thinks you can't munch brakes in 15K, I've done it in 500 miles..... so it definitely can be done in 15000.

when do u change the brake pads? im at 35k :/

When they're gone you change them. There's no milage.

Well pulling the ebrake can be a useful way to figure out where the vibration is coming from. Earlier I said pull it at high speeds to check, but I meant lower speeds. Slowly pulling it at lower speeds can help check if the vibration is coming from the rear. Yes wouldnt want anyone to lock there rears up.