Questions and Answers

Chevy Camaro Brake Vibration Q. Dear Vincent, I'm on a very limited budget these days and so when the front brake pads on my 1994 Chevy Camaro needed replaced I did it myself. No problem. The brakes were nice and smooth for the first few weeks, then began to vibrate, getting worse each time out.

Now I know, everyone says you need to have your rotors turned because they're warped but I have trouble with this answer. With a 5-speed, I'm a down-shifter and don't even use my brakes all that much, so how could they have warped so badly so quickly?.

One other detail that might be important. I've always had a bit of a growl on left turns at highway speeds and question if it could be a front wheel bearing. Is there a way to tell if it's the bearings or the rotors?

Thanks for your time and expert advice!
Ron
Ohio

A. Offhand, I'm not sure how this rotor attaches to the hub on this car. If it's a one piece rotor and hub with re-packable wheel bearings, they are pretty good with pulsation. You either have it or you don't. IF the rotor comes off and the hub with bearing stays, you may have disturbed some rust behind the rotor or put the rotor on differently than it was on before.

If this is the case, removing it and looking at the back side of the rotor and front side of the hub will be all you need to see to explain it. Any rust could drop down into the seating area and cause run out on the rotor. Removing the rotor and cleaning both surfaces real good MAY be all that is needed.

If you have put a lot of miles on it since the brake job it may be too late and they will need cutting.