Hi everyone I just got back from a 2 month trip and when driving my car I noticed that the car is vibrating when braking at speeds over 65mph. I can especially feel this in the steering wheel. It happens even when I tap the brakes and press them lightly so i don't think its the abs. Any ideas. I was thinking maybe brake dust because it was fine before i left.
vibration when braking?
- Thread starter dread
- Start date
You can try checking the lug nuts to make sure they are properly tightened, but if they were loose, you'd probably notice something during driving, not just during braking.
If you use the brakes quite a bit, like coming to a stop from a high speed, or use them a lot like in city stop-and-go driving, they will heat up and going through a puddle may cool them too quickly and cause warping.
If you use the brakes quite a bit, like coming to a stop from a high speed, or use them a lot like in city stop-and-go driving, they will heat up and going through a puddle may cool them too quickly and cause warping.
thanks for the tips. the vibration seems to be going away the more I drive. I also noticed excessive brake dust especially on the fronts which seem to be going away. I am going to drive a couple of days and see what happens and check the lug nuts. If it doesn't get better i am taking to mazda
BlueMonsta
Member
is the brake pedal vibrating? or car? or both?
either way, just take it to mazda.
and if it warped rotor make sure they replace them instead of machining.
either way, just take it to mazda.
and if it warped rotor make sure they replace them instead of machining.
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
Since the car sat for two months and the problem is going away on it's own, it's probably just some rust on the rotors. I've noticed that Mazda3 rotors seem to be especially susceptible to rust.
Mazda3 rotors also do tend to warp too easily for my taste but that problem won't generally go away by itself.
Mazda3 rotors also do tend to warp too easily for my taste but that problem won't generally go away by itself.
exactly what gold wing siad... if i leave mine for more then 2 days there is a slight vibration, and i would imagine 2 months would be a nasty rust spot that the pads need to wear down.... i would drive up to 40-50 or so and slam the brakes really hard a couple times it should help get rid of the rust build up...
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
tsunami said:
Except that if you do that, you could warp the rotors by generating too much heat.
Just drive normal. If it doesn't go away in a few weeks, then have it looked at by a competent mechanic.
nautical2086
Member
- :
- 1999 Mazda Protege ES
I get that too, but mine is from having a bent cv shaft i think,
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
tsunami said:
Except that these cars weren't designed for auto-x. It is conceivable that doing a couple "panic stops" one right after the other could warp a rotor, especially considering the minimal thickness of them.
I'm not saying that it will, only that it could. Better safe than sorry.
imprint of the brake pads is another cause
If the brake pads were sitting on the rotors and there was moisture in the air (or rainfall during that period), then the other problem is that the semi-metallic brake pads (I'm assuming the pads are SM) may also leave extra residue on the rotors (which most likely were showing rust when you came back). Often a few hard stops from 65 (no traffic around when doing this hopefully) to 20 (do not come to a complete stop) should scrub the rotor clean without leaving hot brake pad residues on the rotor. Continue driving the car normally so the brakes can cool off before parking the car.
dread said:
If the brake pads were sitting on the rotors and there was moisture in the air (or rainfall during that period), then the other problem is that the semi-metallic brake pads (I'm assuming the pads are SM) may also leave extra residue on the rotors (which most likely were showing rust when you came back). Often a few hard stops from 65 (no traffic around when doing this hopefully) to 20 (do not come to a complete stop) should scrub the rotor clean without leaving hot brake pad residues on the rotor. Continue driving the car normally so the brakes can cool off before parking the car.
