Your rotors are warped. Its not the worst thing in the world. Its more annoying than anything. You can wait until you get home to fix them. Really, if it hasn't been doing it for very long then all you need to do is replace the rotors. If the problem has been ongoing for awhile then you may be in danger of other braking components having to be replaced. Odds are that all you need are the rotors. If you do go to a mechanic, just don't let him sell you anything other than what you need, which are rotors. Often, they will try to find issues that are unrelated to the repair you went in for. For example, "oh while I was doing this, I just happened to notice that..." Don't take everything the mechanic says as final. It could be a matter of opinion or preference.
Listen to techpaddle.Rotors that are warped will only pulsate when brakes are applied.
Most likely lost a wheel weight.Go to A tire dealer and have tires balanced.Should cost
no more than $60. Good Luck.
Warped rotors are noticeable ONLY when the brakes are applied at speeds over 20 mph. Any vibration that starts around 40, gets progressively worse as speed increases and disappears over 70 is commonly a tire balancing issue. Get out of that garage and pull into any bigger name tire shop and ask them to balance all 4 tires. The drive you did wore a normal bit of rubber off the tires and now they are no longer true. By the way, warped rotors would cause the brake pedal to move up and down when the brakes are applied.
sounds like you have warped rotors, its ok to drive with just annoying. they do not NEED replacement unless the rotors have been used for a while and the shop cannot resurface them (grind a thin layer off) but that depends on how worn down the rotors are
i advice you dont do it
My family and I made a long road trip from ohio to california for our vacation. Its getting closer to the drive home and now my rotors on my HHR need replaced because the wheel shakes at high speeds. I might be able to make it home but I dont want to risk it so Ill probably be taking it to a shop here. Question I have is he will probably see Im from ohio so i am desperate and may know that when it comes to cars im not very wise so I fear he will try to screw me. Are there any tricks they may try that I should not fall for? Such as him saying something like "Well since we have to change the rotors that means you have to get all new tires too". I ask cause Budget isnt that great, I can afford it but itll be a little tight cause we have done quite a few things in California and Im willing to pay whatever it takes to get it done just cant afford for him to squeeze unnecessary money out of me? Any tips? Thanks alot!
