97 honda accord ex v6 shakes when braking over 60 mph

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albert.mills@googlemail.com - 19 Aug 2006 03:53 GMT

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 97 honda accord ex v6 with 100k miles on
it. I like it just fine, the only problem is is that it shakes quite
noticeably when i brake on the highway over 60. Is this something that
must be fixed or is it likely that the car is safe with this problem
(brakes won't fail?) I'm taking it to a mechanic, but if the owner
doesn't reduce the price by the amount it costs to fix the problem
should i still get it? I plan to sell it in about two years, and will
mostly use it to commute to work along the freeways.

Suggestions would be appricated.

Thanks very much.

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Don - 19 Aug 2006 05:40 GMT

>Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 97 honda accord ex v6 with 100k miles on
>it. I like it just fine, the only problem is is that it shakes quite
>noticeably when i brake on the highway over 60.

Rotors are warped. A while back there was a lot of discussion regards
to what extenet they are warped and to what extent the problem is
thickness variation. Who cares? The rotors are not flat and true
causing brake pulsation. You can get them turned and the problem
will come back. Sooner if the rotors are really bad and are of
inconsisent metallurgy due to uneven heat treatment from the uneven
braking, sooner if they are already thin, sooner if the brake lathe is
poorly maintained, sooner if the lugnuts are tightened unevenly many
people claim, sooner if you use the hell out of the brakes and often
get them hot. New rotors from a quality source will hold the problem
at bay for a long time -- again dependent on driving habits.

>Is this something that
>must be fixed

It will get worse.

> or is it likely that the car is safe with this problem
>(brakes won't fail?)

They won't fail directly because of the pulsation. Its reasonable to
presume steering and suspension components wear faster, however.

> I'm taking it to a mechanic, but if the owner
>doesn't reduce the price by the amount it costs to fix the problem

About $200 if you do it yourself and use really good rotors such as
"Mountain" brand or original equipment Honda. $3-400 if you have it
done depending on whether pads are replaced at the same time.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

>should i still get it?

Brake pulsation should not be a deal-breaker. If you set up a road
block on your street and checked the next 20 cars to come by probably
half or more would have some degree of brake pulsation.

> I plan to sell it in about two years, and will
>mostly use it to commute to work along the freeways.
>
>Suggestions would be appricated.
>
>Thanks very much.

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sdlomi2 - 20 Aug 2006 12:55 GMT

>>Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 97 honda accord ex v6 with 100k miles on
>>it. I like it just fine, the only problem is is that it shakes quite
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> Don
> www.donsautomotive.com

Don, I for one think you covered all the discussions I've read on this
forum re: disc brake rotor pulsations. I fully agree that it is just a
matter of time which can be hurried depending on the many factors you
pointed out. No permanent solution! s

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