Brake pulsing

[Dave_x]

Recently my brakes started to give me a pulse through the pedal. It feels similar to when ABS engages, a bit slower though, but I don't have ABS. The brakes do work and I'm stopping, but I'm worried that might change after not too long.

I've checked my rotors and pads and they don't show anything that would cause such a noticeable feeling. Plus, speed doesn't seem to effect the pulse rate. Which makes me think it is something in the brake system instead.

Any ideas on what could be the cause?

 

[Dave_x]

Sounds like your rotors could possibly be warped. Not something you'll see visually.

But wouldn't it feel different at 10mph than 50?

I forgot to mention that this started overnight. One day the brakes feel fine. The next I have the ABS feeling every stop. Shouldn't I have noticed some kind of warping before it got this bad?

 

[Dave_x]

If your ABS was malfunctioning the warning light *should* come on in the dash.

I don't have ABS. The pulsing in the pedal just feels very similar to when ABS engages.

 

[Shadow102]

But wouldn't it feel different at 10mph than 50?

I forgot to mention that this started overnight. One day the brakes feel fine. The next I have the ABS feeling every stop. Shouldn't I have noticed some kind of warping before it got this bad?

no...it takes one bad cooling cycle...aka one hard stop...to create a brake pulsation. Do you feel it in the pedal, steering wheel, seat, or a combination of them?

Really depending on how bad they are warped will determine how different speeds effect the actual feeling. Only other question is have you done anything to the car lately? ie since the last oil change or tire rotation?

 

[Dave_x]

no...it takes one bad cooling cycle...aka one hard stop...to create a brake pulsation. Do you feel it in the pedal, steering wheel, seat, or a combination of them?

Really depending on how bad they are warped will determine how different speeds effect the actual feeling. Only other question is have you done anything to the car lately? ie since the last oil change or tire rotation?

I feel it in the pedal. My wife recently had a bad rotor and could feel that everywhere.

No, I haven't done anything to the car.

 

[Shadow102]

I feel it in the pedal. My wife recently had a bad rotor and could feel that everywhere.

No, I haven't done anything to the car.

in the pedal with no ABS is going to be a warped rotor...there is a huge feeling difference between a bad rotor and a warped rotor. Just the pedal and probably if you really try to feel for it the steering wheel is going to be a front rotor. Only other thing to check is going to be that the wheels are tight and that all the brake hardware is tight however if it was loose there would be a good chance you would feel it when off the brakes as well