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Wasn't there some talk about this a while ago? When I am doing like 100 for say over 5 minutes, braking down to around 40 results in a shake or shudder in the front end. Its like an allignment shake but isn't because my allignment is fine.

This happens on my 19s and my 15 inch stock steelies.

 
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you drive a civic.. stop doing 100 before you kill someones family...

 
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I dont remember saying that there are other cars around while going 100. Of course I will give you the benefit of the doubt, I did not say there were not cars around while doing 100. I do not trust people enough to even drive the speed limit next to them, let alone speed by where any move by them could kil me and them.

Back to my question... Anyone. I know I had seen a thread on this site about it. I have searched but can not find it. I want to fix this issue.

 
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Could it be your brakes?? Maybe rotors are a bit warped?? Every car i've ever owned has done this, and the civic is just starting. I'm going to replace the brakes soon. That's the only thing I can think of. Furthermore, I've found my car to be nothing but stable and reasonably safe at 80-100mph. I don't really see how that will kill "someone's family". I'm sure he appreciates you answering his question, tho.

 
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If every car you've owned has had warped brakes, maybe you should look at the way your treating them. I've NEVER warped a set of brakes and I've had the front rotors on my SC SHO glowing. Proper warming and cooling of the brakes will prevent you from warping them.

 
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I do not belive it to be the brakes. Unless it is the calipers? This happens even after a new set of rotors and pads. I started this thread because I remember seeing a post about a design flaw in the 01' civic suspension that caused this. I just wodered if anyone was able to fix it (ie... Maybe replacing whole front end with rsx front end... or even something simpler like new bushing or sway bar).

 
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Thanks for the input. I appreciate. Really. I didn't say I warped every set of rotors I had, I said every (both) other car(s) i've owned started to shudder a little while braking from high speed. I don't know why it does it. But it went away when I put on new pads and rotors. Thanks again for the info, tho. And congrats on your supercharged grocery getter.

 
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the same thing happens on my beater civic (1990).

i know for a fact that its not the brakes, because i replaced the pads and got a new set of rotors (not resurfaced).

the wheels are balanced.

the alignment is slightly off, so this could be the issue.

i'm guessing its possibly an issue with the tie rods. have you checked yours out?

 
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My civic definitely does it and it is quite annoying. However, in my case, I think it really is the rotor warpage causing it. I go through brakes toooo fast.

 
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Im going through the same thing right now with my 04 civic.i dont drive 100mph but between about 50-80 mph if i press the brakes i get a violent shake in the front end. since i work at a dealership i had them throw it up on the lift and they determined that it is definately warped rotors.

 
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LOL at people thinking that they are some how warping a cast Iron rotor that can withstand heat in excess of 1000 Deg...


Just an FYI. "warped" rotors = Uneven build up of pad meterial on the rotors surface. Heating a cast Iron rotor to the point where it would actually warp isnt something that you can do on the street with Street pads. you simply cant build enough heat up (the pads would fade LONG before you got to that temp).

My $.02, next time you get new pads, be sure to bed them properly. As it will cut down on the whole "warpage" you are dealing with. Even thoguth its not warpage...

 
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Maybe it's not a warped rotor . . . but my rotor is warped. Powerslot has let me down.

 
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Sometimes that shudder comes from the pad compound being "caked" on the rotor. If you get them hot and sit on them at a light, you the pad can transfer onto the rotor unevenly. Some use a track pad to scrape it off for about 5 miles or so, others just turn the rotors.

 
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my 2cents is the brake pads. my car used to do this all the time with cheapo $20 autozone pads. once i got some axxis pads, a lil better brand the car vibrations went away

 
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Ok, well I am getting some new rotors and pads. The last ones were AEM pads and Powerslot rotors... But they are drilled and slotted. The shutter happened when they were new. I will replace my brakes this weekend. I am not going drilled and slotted again. Didn't seem to help stopping speed.

BTW... I ordered the "Ingalls "Stiffy" Engine Torque Damper". Who knows... This may resolve the issue. I am going to get different sway bars and the Tanabe Sustec Lower Front Brace. I just want to stiffen the whole car up as much as possible.

 
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Same here powerslots suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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I think it is operator error. I've used Power Slots on a couple occasions and have used the crap out of them (road course and canyon driving, both very frequent) and I have yet to have a problem. They've actually been one of the better rotors I've ever had. If you season them properly, bed the pads in properly, and warm/cool them properly, they are a great cast.

Even after a set of "cold" track pads (used in 6,000 miles), The rotor had no lip to speak of and the pads were VERY worn.


Wilwood "PolyMatrix D" pad After 5,000 miles. When I finally pulled them, they had 1mm of pad left.


Here's a better picture... Notice the blue tint from the heat. They've gone through some abuse.


With all that said, there was NO warping or pad build-up on them. Absolutely NO shaking.

 
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You have wilwood calipers on the civic? Where did you get them? I am pretty sure they do not make them for my civic (2001).

Wait... 5 lug? Is that a conversion or your SHO?

 
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It's the SHO, and Wilwood DOES make kits for the Civic

 
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I am talking about the civic. I was wondering if you have any shudder in your front end while braking from high speeds? On the civic not the sho. I am thinking that this is isolated to the civic. I know now that it is not my rotors or pads. Just replaced everything last night and it still happens. My next move is braided brake lines and new fluid.

Wilwood does not make anything for my civic... 2001

 
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^^^Yes Wilwood does. My friend has them on his Civic


Also mine does the same thing but when I am doing 140.

 
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Can't tell from that picture.

 
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Here is a better picture.

 
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I think A LOT of people have this problem with their 7thgens. After doing countless searches on the problem I've come up with a few things that you need to check out.

1.) Alignment - If your alignment is off, braking will cause the shudder you're talking about.

2.) Tire Balance - Make sure your rims/tires are balanced properly (a lot of shops don't do this correctly).

The above two problems can be dectected by driving on the freeway. Get up to about 60-70mph and make sure you're on a straight/level road and let go of the steering wheel. If your car pulls you have an alignment/balancing problem. Also, when you try to hold the steering wheel to make your car go straight you'll feel the wheel jumping. The wheel should be smooth.

3.) Brakes - if your breaks are worn this could cause problems

4.) Warped Rotors - If your rotors are warped, this will definately cause shudder when breaking at higher speeds.

I'd like to note that some members said they have fixed all 4 problems, but the problem still exists. So maybe people are correct when they say the civic has some sort of flaw and this shudder cannot be fixed.

Also, the stock rotors suck (I dont care what anyone says). If you're braking at 100mph+ this will generate significant amounts of heat. Also if you do spirited driving (autoX), no doubt your rotors and brakes will take a beating. I've heard a lot of people say that their stock rotors were warped. After switching them with better aftermarkets, they've had no problems.

Judging from the autoXers on this site, most of them suggest brembo blanks with hawk pads if you're just looking to replace the stocks. I believe boilermaker has a few posts explaining why drilled/slotted rotors (or even bigger/upgraded rotors) don't do anything to improve braking. Search for it, it's a good read.

Hope this helps.

 
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I agree. I had my alignment done when I got new tires for my 19s. When I got my new tires mounted, I also got them balenced. I did get powerslots and AEM pads right after the 19s went on because bigger rims need better brakes to stop them.

Your post did help because it confirmed to me that others have spoke of this issue. I have done all of the obvious. Next is the suspension and control arms, and sway bars. Possibly the brembos.

 
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Does your friends have the shudder?

 
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I was backing the PowerSlot comment. I do NOT have any shaking from my Civic as my brakes are not warped, loaded with pad material, my tires are aligned and balanced and non of my suspension components are worn. Braided brake lines and fluid will not stop your car from shaking.

Yes, they do.

 
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I don't think he drives fast, he knows it is a civic and slow. Unlike most ricers on this site.

 
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this thread is ridiclous.

_Skin_ you're just replacing perfectly good parts on your car. you should try to isolate the problem before you go spending your money and guessing what the problem is.

like stated above, braided brake lines, new fluid, and swaybars will NOT help your situation any.

and YES, Willwood DOES make a big brake kit for our cars.

 
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Thanks dude. I started this thread so that someone could point me to the thread where someone figured out what caused this and fixed it. I remember reading it about two years ago. I did not save it because I figured a search would help find it... Guess not.

I want to upgrade those parts anyway, right now my car takes corners like a 84 chevy nova.

Ok, cool, but on their site I am looking for just the calipers and they do not have them listed. I guess I will call them.

BTW??? Why are people on these boards so negitive about doing any thing to a "Civic"? Who are these people... Don't they own a civic too? If not, why are they on this site?

I like my Civic.