[a_gunslinger]

Brief history:

1. Given my step brothers 2G 2009 Pilot EX. Go to pick it up in Charleston and it has bad steering wheel shake on braking. Apparantly the kid never thought much about it.

2. Local Firestone diagnoses a "warped" front rotor. HAd to get back to Cincinnati and only place around was a Firestone. Replaced both rotors and pads. Calipers deemed good. Problem resolved.

3. Six months later the shaking returns on braking. Firestone replaces front left rotor again. Althought they stateits a bit unusual to have 2 bad rotors. Im thinking true, unless they are crap rotors.They contend if it keeps happening there may be something else wrong with the suspension. But new rotors fix the issue again.

4. 7 or so months later its back.

Before I take it back to Firestone expecting them to not replace again, and maybe contend its somethign else, what else could it be? They claimed calipers were good. I have done no sudden hard braking. Could Firestone and thier parts really be that bad, and I should just put OEM on it and be done with it? I do all my other brakes with OEM in my driveway. Just stuck with Firestone because it was being covered.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[xGS]

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT WARPED BRAKE ROTORS..

Warped Rotors - Service Brakes: Runout, Disc Thickness

Nuts & Bolts: Warped Rotor Myth

 

[undivide]

probably the most important part to read is this section...

When new pads and brake discs are fitted, the most important thing you can do to prevent problems is to properly bed the brakes.

another reason why I use akebono pads. they do not require this initial process of burnishing

Akebono Tech Tip: Brake Pad Efficiency

This stop-and-go process, sometimes called "burnishing," alters and usually increases the coefficient of friction between the rotor and pad to ensure stable braking power.

www.brakeandfrontend.com

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads restore braking to like-new OEM performance for domestic and Asian vehicles available in the aftermarket.

akebonobrakes.com

 

[a_gunslinger]

probably the most important part to read is this section...

When new pads and brake discs are fitted, the most important thing you can do to prevent problems is to properly bed the brakes.

another reason why I use akebono pads. they do not require this initial process of burnishing

Akebono Tech Tip: Brake Pad Efficiency

This stop-and-go process, sometimes called "burnishing," alters and usually increases the coefficient of friction between the rotor and pad to ensure stable braking power.

www.brakeandfrontend.com

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads restore braking to like-new OEM performance for domestic and Asian vehicles available in the aftermarket.

akebonobrakes.com

Thanks for the reply. Knew about the misleading nature of the word Warped. So what you are sayng it suck it up and leave Firestone out of it? ;^)

 

[undivide]

it could possibly be that one caliper is sticking causing uneven pressure on the pads resulting in them not getting properly bedded into the new rotors. ideally new pads are installed with new or resurfaced rotors. a lot of shops don't bother resurfacing rotors anymore as it requires time and time is money ! back in the day I used to take my rotors to get resurfaced as it was cheap, maybe $10 a piece and guy would measure them to make sure they were in spec so too much material wasn't taken off. something oddly satisfying about a freshly reground rotor surface. of course if the vanes are clogged with thick rust then heat transfer could be affected and they should probably just go to the scrap yard.

 

[Nail Grease]

I’d replace calipers with coated rotors. Something is not working right. Get better pads, ceramic type.

 

[WiiMaster]

probably the most important part to read is this section...

When new pads and brake discs are fitted, the most important thing you can do to prevent problems is to properly bed the brakes.

another reason why I use akebono pads. they do not require this initial process of burnishing

Akebono Tech Tip: Brake Pad Efficiency

This stop-and-go process, sometimes called "burnishing," alters and usually increases the coefficient of friction between the rotor and pad to ensure stable braking power.

www.brakeandfrontend.com

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads

Akebono ProACT® Ultra-Premium Brake Pads restore braking to like-new OEM performance for domestic and Asian vehicles available in the aftermarket.

akebonobrakes.com

Agreed, proper bedding is key. My Odyssey has what is generally considered undersized brakes for the size of the vehicle compared to the Pilot, and at 109k I'm still on the factory rotors.

 

[huntertn]

It would be nice to see the brake pad wear to see if it is even. If it is only the left side I think I would just replace the caliper like Nail Grease mentioned and also the flexible hose. I would probably just go ahead and do both fronts since you are gonna bleed the whole system anyway.

 

[royalbiggster]

Get a non contact thermometer and take some heat measurements after driving. Compare both sides.
I wonder if you can see the calipers compress by having someone brake while you look. One of the caliper slide pins could be seized, so you want to see if both the top and bottom compress evenly. Look at the other side for comparison.
There could also be a bunch of rust building up causing uneven pressure if the mating surfaces are dirty. I wonder how good they are at torqueing down lug nuts.
How do the rotors look? Can you take a picture and post it.
Does the vehicle sit for extended periods of time?

Non-Contact Pocket Thermometer

Amazing deals on this Infrared Thermometer Non-Contact Pocket at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[a_gunslinger]

All good points. Each time Firestone replaced the rotors under warranty they said pads were fine (so I assumed calipers were fine) - but it is Firestone. I will have them check carefully and verify. Its cold up here in Ohio now so my DIY repairs are on hold until Spring. Might have to try them one last time. I usually by Honda OEM parts online from reuptable dealers and install myself.

 

[Surfin' Bird]

Brief history:

1. Given my step brothers 2G 2009 Pilot EX. Go to pick it up in Charleston and it has bad steering wheel shake on braking. Apparantly the kid never thought much about it.

2. Local Firestone diagnoses a "warped" front rotor. HAd to get back to Cincinnati and only place around was a Firestone. Replaced both rotors and pads. Calipers deemed good. Problem resolved.

3. Six months later the shaking returns on braking. Firestone replaces front left rotor again. Althought they stateits a bit unusual to have 2 bad rotors. Im thinking true, unless they are crap rotors.They contend if it keeps happening there may be something else wrong with the suspension. But new rotors fix the issue again.

4. 7 or so months later its back.

Before I take it back to Firestone expecting them to not replace again, and maybe contend its somethign else, what else could it be? They claimed calipers were good. I have done no sudden hard braking. Could Firestone and thier parts really be that bad, and I should just put OEM on it and be done with it? I do all my other brakes with OEM in my driveway. Just stuck with Firestone because it was being covered.

Any thoughts welcome.

I got a deal on some Bosch Quiet Cast rotors and pads. Within 10K I had brake pulsation. I got some stock rotors and pads and 20k later they're silent and effective.