Brake Shudder After Installing New Rotors

S

STIBungy

Member
Location
Denver, CO
Car
2007 FX35 AWD
Hey guys,

So I installed my 2nd set of front rotors on my FX tonight and just like the 1st set, they're either warping way too quick or something else is wrong with my braking system. 1st time around, I installed a set of new drilled/slotted front rotors with OEM pads. While breaking in the pads, braking would cause a shuddering and started getting worse the more I did it. Tonight, I installed another new set of rotors and not even 1 mile away from my house, I notice that braking wasnt smooth. After a few miles, they were shuddering pretty bad. This is getting to be very frustrating. My STI is quite the opposite. I've purposely smashed on the brakes many times and the rotors have never shuddered on me.

So what can this issue be? Can it be the calipers themselves?
 
Same here second set up rotors/pads and brake shudder..
Did you torque your wheels after the install? cause i didnt and i was wondering if this might of caused it or something
Also did you install new pads with your new rotors?
 
I didnt install new pads this time. I always torque my lug nuts. 80ft-lbs is where its set and I used that on my STI as well. So I just did some more searching and found someone who fixed his shuddering/warping problem after replacing both front hubs. Looks like that might be my next move. If that doesnt solve it, I'm getting rid of this stupid car.
 
If the shuddering not there before the rotor, I really don't think its the hub bearing. Oh btw, the front hub and bearing came as one unit. Can't buy just the hub. I know bleed the caliper is not required with replacing pads and rotors, but in the event there is air pockets in the line, one caliper grabs more then the other, there might be a chance the the shuddering. It doesn't take much be bleed the front, I would try that.
 
1st time I put the new rotors and pads in, I went and bled all 4 corners.

la_fx35 said:
If the shuddering not there before the rotor, I really don't think its the hub bearing. Oh btw, the front hub and bearing came as one unit. Can't buy just the hub. I know bleed the caliper is not required with replacing pads and rotors, but in the event there is air pockets in the line, one caliper grabs more then the other, there might be a chance the the shuddering. It doesn't take much be bleed the front, I would try that.
Click to expand...
 
Did you "bed" the new rotors ? I know you said you used your old pads which is fine. Some people might disagree, I don't own a FX but I've had similar issues with brake shudder. The issue stems from the fact that the brakes or in this case the front rotors are "under sized" for the "weight" of car. So even with normal driving the front rotor will get very hot. Once the car is parked the part of the rotor that is under the brake pads will retain the heat sometimes cause some of the pad material to stick the rotor.

Thus when you drive the car the very next time, you get a feeling of the rotors being "warpped" or that brake shudder. Best way to find out is to take the car out on an open road and brake hard repeatly to wear off any brake pad material from the rotor. I would do about 6-8 hard stops..

Do not come to a complete stop, the point is to use the brake pad to wear off any material from the rotor. Once you do this 6-8 times then come the hard part, driving around aimlessly without hard braking or coming to a complete stop with your foot on the brake and allowing the rotors to cool off. This could take while depending on where you drive and every time you have to slow down like a "stop" sign or "stop" lights. Your heating up the rotor again so plan your route before you head out.

We have some open roads not to far from us but you may be out driving for over an hour. Once you feel the rotor's have "cooled" after the hard braking you'll be able to to tell if the shudder is gone. Do a search on the web for the "bedding" process if you need further clarity. Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Slide the calipers off the rotor, press on the brake pedal, and then check if the piston extends. When compressing the piston back into the caliper pay extra attention if extra pressure is needed on one an not the other?
 
My son just had a similar problem with his 2009 FX50S. He had the original OEM stock rotors turned at a local O'Riely Auto parts store ($10 each), put them on with new OEM pads, and the whole car vibrated (shuttered) when braking. I gave him my dial indicator to check the face run out of the just turned rear rotors and he said the right rear was running out over 0.007" ! Infiniti spec's indicate 0.0021" on the rear and 0.0013" on the front. He purchased new OEM rotors for all 4 corners, put them on, mounted and torqued the wheels, and like magic, the car performed like a brand new vehicle. During a conversation with our dealer he indicated they always turn the rotors on vehicle for FX's and never have a problem after!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top