My '05 currently has about 11,000 miles on it. Since I bought it new in June, the brake pads have had to be replaced twice and the rotors replaced once, all under warranty. The problem was steering wheel shake when the brakes were gently applied at highway speeds. I've read numerous posts on this issue and searched the forum for some advice. I've done nothing to cause the warping of the rotors. I don't track the car or do any really hard braking on a regular basis. I've never exposed the rotors to water when they're hot, etc. Currently, the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied at between 60-70 mph. Outside of this speed interval, everything is fine. I took the car out the other day and did 3-4 hard brakings from 70 mph-10 mph (my eyes almost came out of my head - this car stops FAST!). I thought that there might be some pad build-up on the rotors. The problem is still there.

So... I called Fresno Mitsu. The service manager wasn't overly thrilled to hear from me again and told me that mine is the only Evo he's ever encountered with this problem. I have a feeling that they're going to wash their hands of the matter and refuse to fix it. My question, before I take it in, is this. Can it be anything else causiing this problem besides the pads/rotors? I'm unwilling to live with this, since it's getting worse. I paid too much for this car to shrug my shoulders at this problem. Any constructive and succinct input would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Have you tried getting your wheels balanced and an alignment?

 

Check to see if your car would fall under the lemon law where you live if they keep fixing it and it keeps breaking.

 

I had similar problems. I first had a cracked brake pad. Dealer replaced that. Then I was warping the rotors in daliy driving (MI to OH). So took it back and they turned the rotors (OHIO). Drive cross country - warping returned. Took it to my local dealer here (NJ), had blue spotted the rotors (all 4). Must have been the mountain driving and of course I didnt tell the dealer that. This dealer looked at the rotors and sure enough the last dealer did a half-arsed job. They returned them to get them true and reinstalled them with my current pads. That was about 15K ago. And I do hard braking (and Ill add simply amazing in this car for stock), no problems to speak of. I did rebed the pads to the rotors after that last job. The procedure for brembos can be found at tirerack.com.

 

I've had break probs from the day I bought it. I noticed that there was a ring of rust on the rotor... and took it in to get it checked out. Mitsu took it apart and said that I had a defective brake pad! There was a groove taken out of the pad and left a ring of rust 'cause it wasn't touching the rotor! I had 1000 miles on the car and they said that they weren't going to fix it 'cause brakes were only covered up to 500miles. I was like WTF... I just bought the car... and you said that it was DEFECTIVE and you're not going to cover it?? So he made some calls and said that he would "Good Grace" me a pair of pads.... whatever. Since then... the steering wheel shakes like crazy (just like you) so I took it back in. He looked at them (and of course the rotors were warped) but he said that they're warped because I brake too hard.... ummm ok. So instead of stepping on the brakes mayb I should attach an anchor and throw it out the window to stop instead of steppin on the brakes. Just a bunch of BS. That's where I stand as well... Sorry to hear about your situation and maybe Mitsu will take responsibility for what they promise to cover on our warranty... HA Yeah right.

 

BTW - try a different dealer. They arent all the same. Some are good, some flat out suck. Which you prby already know.

 

Exactly what I had happen, but I had 5000 miles on her. My MI dealer is nice, did it with no questions or problems. Was yours the pass. side front? I am not a fan of these Brembo pads build quality and not to mention the $200 price tag for just fronts. I am close to replacing all pads now. I havent decided on which brand to go with. This is my street car, so reg. pads are what I will be getting - leaning towards Satisfied Pros, but I need to do more research on that.

 

Mine was the front Drivers side.... lucky you... lol

 

Re-bed the rotors, search suspension/rim forum. Try this out: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

Thats really wierd, here is another suggestion: fill up the tires to the suggested psi and double check them with a digital tire gauge (most gauges at gas stations are not accurate). Also, its worth the effort to check if your tires are balanced and car is aligned 100% correctly.

Good luck

 

When they changed ur brake pads... they machined ur rotors too?

 

The first time for the rust spot, yes. But only that rotor. The replaced both front pads and then turned the pass. to the same as the driverside.

 

Thank you all for your remarks. Yes, I'm fanatical about my air pressure and yes the tires have been rotated and the wheels balanced at 5000 miles (and I plan to do it again this weekend). Additionally, they checked the alignment last time and it was within factory specs. The probability of technician error/defective equipment is something that I have to consider. I'll see what they say.

 

The problem is caused by the stock brake pads. They are soft and when they are hot or sit on a hot rotor they leave build up. I had the same exact problem on my car.

I tried rebedding the pads (10 stops 60-10, you need to get the rotors smokin hot), and it would be much better for a while. It would come back though.

I fixed the problem by putting in Hawk HP+ pads. I bed the new pads and have not had the problem since. The Hawks also stop much better than stock with less dust.

good luck!

 

lemon

 

my car does the same thing hoping that new pads and rotors will eliminate the problem. Dude your cars isnt a lemon its just brakes