93 PAU - Front End & Steering Wheel Shaking when Braking

[GunnyP]

Suddenly hit with massive front end braking shakes. Could feel the brakes skipping and hitting the rotor so have spent the week downshifting to get under 20mph. Just replaced the rear drums, shoes, struts and put in Ni-Cu brake lines last summer as all were a rusted mess. So know the fronts need replacing, even if ultimately the problem lies elsewhere.

As the a/c compressor died last summer and must be replaced, very limited budget for brakes. OEM Delco are way too expensive so going with eBay & Amazon seller UrbanAutoParts out of Canada. They've a HeavyDuty spec (whatever that means) zinc-coated & drilled kit (2 silver rotors w/ 4 ceramic pads) for under $60 free shipping, no sales tax.

Anyone ever tried them? Reviews are very sparse.

Is there anything else needed for a front brake job? See that C-clamp is a must. Are there pins or any special needs the brain trust here can enlighten me on?

Thanks!

 

[Ziggy]

If you have problems with rust check the brake bleeders, they probably need to be replaced as well.
To remove the calipers you need a 3/8" allen bit, there is not much to it. I would replace the hoses too if that hasn't been done already.

 

[pila80]

My '93 PAU shook when I bought it, but I knew it was likely a front rotor, and it was nice & smooth with new rotors & pads. Had rotors warp on a new Chevy van once, from an emergency, hard braking stop, so they will warp sometimes from heat..

 

[STG44]

If your braking is normal when the car is cold but shakes after brakes have heated a little you probably have warped rotors.

 

[WaveRunner]

ABS braking system or bad rotors and pads. Could also be air in brake system affecting caliper

 

[GunnyP]

Thanks Everyone!

Boy! Oh boy! The rotors were eroded by rust. Nearly a quarter inch of the outer edge was missing in some places. The brake pads were down to bare metal with no evidence of pads at all. Just last summer, the garage told me the front brakes were okay but I needed to do the rear which I did indeed do myself. Based on their word, i never inspected the front, and frankly, wouldn't have known a rotor if it fell on my toe!

Anyhue, after a month long of incessant rain, I installed the new ceramic calipers, rotors and sundry. The only real problem was getting the 3/8 hex into the well rusted hole. Finally decided to be a gentleman about it and lubed it before penetration.

The shakes are gone and braking no longer a white knuckle event!