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For months now when I apply the brake pedal the car feels like it is lunging - like the brake rotors are warped. This past weekend I replaced the front rotors and front brake shoes. One rotor was damaged more than the other but both had deep gouges in them at concentric circles around the disk. The pads were also worn down. I lubed the pins in the calipers and checked to make sure they moved smoothly. I thought for sure the damaged rotors were the reason I was experiencing the lunging sensation.

The brakes grab a lot quicker but I have the same lunging sensation when braking. Any thoughts. Could brake ABS sensor be the issue?


Thanks...Milty.

Anyone have thoughts on this problem?

You did install new pads with your new rotors, correct?

Bad drums in the rear could also cause that, if I'm not mistaken.

ABS, I'd think you would hear/feel it kicking in.

I replaced the front pads but have not checked the rear drums. It seems like the lunging is from the frontend but I'm not positive.

If your definition of lunging is that sensation when the rotors are warped, you will feel it (pulsing sort of jiggle) in the steering wheel at braking more than anywhere (front rotors warped). If that is the case, and you have replaced the front rotors and pads... and you STILL feel it in the steering wheel, it could be an issue with a front tire/wheel. In this situation, I would rotate the tires, front to back and see if the problem moves or goes away.. telling you it is a wheel or tire that you moved to the back.

So, back to your definition of "lunging;" if it more of a pulling, maybe due to a brake grabbing, you need to figure out which wheel it is; does it pull to one side or the other like the steering wheel would do? If so, you could have a problem with a sticky caliper. If it is a back brake simply locking up, your back brake shoes may need adjustment or could be due to moisture in the drums. Just throwing all that fodder out for thought.

Thanks for all the ideas - I will start by rotating tires and look at the back brakes at that time. Car does not pull to one side when braking. Calipers are fairly new.