Hey guys,

I got a 97 Saturn SL1 4DR Sedan. I keep her running good and do all the maintenance myself. But I must confess that I do not hold the knowledge to troubleshoot or make a call on this issue. When I apply pressure to the brakes at any speed over 30mph (especially down hill) I get erratic steering and the car shakes.

So i've got my head burried in my Haynes manual and the troubleshooting tree gives me these four possibilities....

1. Front hub bearings worn
2. Broken or sagging springs
3. Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper
4. Warped discs or drums

I have enough knowledge to know that theres no leak coming from the calipers but the other 3 I am unsure of. I can handle working on the brakes myself but springs and hubs??? Anyone got any info or has anyone heard of this problem. Anyway to pinpoint or isolate one of these problems??? Thanks guys! Hope someone can help.

John Signorelli

Front brake ROTORS are warped ... it's common to ALL cars as milk is to a dairy.

agree with Rj do something about the rotors and the issue should be solved

Are rotors something I can get fixed or does warped mean theyre toast...should I just replace them???

call near by parts stores and see if they machine rotors. they should measure them out and see if they are thick enough to machine and remain within specs before they do anything otherwise you'll have to replace them

and if you replace them you'll want to consider replacing pads as well if they show signs of uneven wear

Yes ................ replace the brake pads at the same time.

Well, let me jump in here too, and suggest that you bypass the thought about re-machining the rotors, and simply replace them.

Rationale:

Saturn OEM rotors are easily warped. Machining them to return them to smooth condition removes a portion of the original thickness, causing them to overheat easier in the future, with the result of additional warpage. Save time/grief/grey hairs by replacing the rotors this time

Well, let me jump in here too, and suggest that you bypass the thought about re-machining the rotors, and simply replace them.

Rationale:

Saturn OEM rotors are easily warped. Machining them to return them to smooth condition removes a portion of the original thickness, causing them to overheat easier in the future, with the result of additional warpage. Save time/grief/grey hairs by replacing the rotors this time


OceanArcher owns the company that builds aftermarket rotors .... LOL

LOL -- I wish SW2cam was right, but sadly, that is not the case. I have, however, attempted to have Saturn rotors turned before, and they just don't remain true

I've turned my SATURN rotors...and I mean that I turned them. I did not let some chain auto parts store or BillsBait&BrakeShop do them. I've never had a problem with rotors when turned correctly using good cutting bits.

Ditto here--- cutting has not been an issue for me (though I do not cut my own)

Well, looks like we here agree to disagree. Good luck with whichever final decision you make...

I agree, when done right turning drums or rotors is not a problem.