"Washboard" feeling during breaking

When I break now my car feels like the front end is going over a washboard
dirt road. The harder I break the more the feeling is pronounced. it tends
to feel like its shaking rapidly back and forth quickly between the two
front wheels, though I have no idea what causes this. Before this got worse,
my break peddle was quite spongy.

Much thanks!

 

It's "brake", by the way.

Most likely explanation is that one, or both, of your disc rotors is warped.
Any tire or brake shop can check this for you, and -- if there's enough
thickness left -- correct it as well. If the rotors are too thin to be
machined, they'll need to be replaced.

 

IMHE, Saturn OEM rotors are subject to SEVERE corrosion on the inside brake
surface and are often unserviceable well before the pads wear out. Suggest
careful inspection.

I have had MUCH better service from offshore rotors costing a third that of
the OEM (or other 'brand name') replacements. These offshore rotors cost
very little more than the normal cost to have rotors turned down (which
usually leaves them so thin they will be prone to warp)

Good luck, YMMV.

 

Before this got worse,

And "pedal" also.


It's more likely uneven deposits of friction material on the disc/drum
surface (perhaps caused by rust), and not warping. See article here if
you'd like more info:
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

Regardless, having the rotors/drums machined, or replacing them altogether
has always taken care of it for me.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

 

Very likely warped or uneven front rotors. Heavy driving/braking habits
caused this for me so I solved the problem by replacing my rotors with
Brembos (solid, vented, not slotted for ease of maintainance )and pads with
Akebonos. Violla! no uneven brake wear and enhanced stopping power! I also
recommend having the rear drums resurfaced or replaced if needed and replace
the shoes with Wagner performance. Just about any parts place will sell
these and they wee less expensive than OEM thru Saturn shops.