Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 12, 2008 17:41:32 GMT -5
For any of you kids out there that know cars...
I drive a 97 Chevy Lumina, and just in the last week or so a problem has presented itself. I think it has something to do with the brakes but I could be totally wrong.
In any case, the left front wheel has had a kinda grindy noise for about a week now, especially when I use the brakes. Then last night I had to put on the brakes pretty hard, and when I tried to go, the left wheel just...wouldn't move. The other wheels were all trying to go, but it just wouldn't do anything.
I turned the car off and on a few times, no dice. Eventually I put it into reverse again and it ended up popping back into motion somehow. So I could drive again, but now from time to time it grinds really bad when I back up, and there's still a little noise no matter what when I'm driving.
....soooo, anybody know what the dillio?
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Post by jamofpearls on Dec 12, 2008 17:45:28 GMT -5
Yeah, you need new brake pads, and from the sound of it, probably new rotors too.
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Mr.K-itty
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Posts: 1,755
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Post by Mr.K-itty on Dec 12, 2008 17:47:25 GMT -5
maybe get ur parking break checked out eh, maybe its not popping out/going in properly
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 12, 2008 17:47:55 GMT -5
Sweet, I totally have money for that.
Thanks though.
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Post by jamofpearls on Dec 12, 2008 17:50:12 GMT -5
Sweet, I totally have money for that. Thanks though. Well, if its grinding that bad, and its making the wheel not turn...that's really bad news, and pretty dangerous for you to drive around on. From the sound of it, you no longer have brake pads, you're just grinding metal on metal. I would change it for you for free, but I don't think yer anywhere near Florence, AL.
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Post by jamofpearls on Dec 12, 2008 17:50:41 GMT -5
Nope. Springfield, Missouri...def no where near here.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 12, 2008 17:53:55 GMT -5
hahaha yeah. Nowhere near ya unfortunately. I appreciate the offer though.
And yeah it doesn't grind a LOT, just mostly when I'm backing up and I don't have the brake pressed down, whatever that means.
Hopefully I can come into some sort of money soon to get this stuff taken care of.
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Post by The Booty Disciple on Dec 12, 2008 18:36:25 GMT -5
Meh. If it's just pads, it shouldn't be horrible. Most places will do a front brake overhaul for a couple hundred, which includes new pads (usually semi-metallic) and turn (regrind) your rotors as well. If you need new rotors, it'll be probably $60-80 more. It could be a lot worse, and when it comes to brakes, there should be NO screwing around.
Get it done BEFORE you grind all the way through your pad, because you'll ruin both the rotor and possibly damage the caliper if you don't. The metal the holds the pad heats up quick, and heat and brake calipers don't mix all that well.
EDIT: I just checked, and the place I go for my car service does a front brake service (including new pads, inspection, lubrication, and rotor machining) for $120 before tax. Add rotors, and it's still gonna run out to under $200, including labor. Find yourself something like that, and you should be good to go.
Wherever you go, make sure they're reputable and guarantee their work and parts. Local mom & pop shops are okay if you have car knowledge, but I recommend to anyone who doesn't turn wrenches themselves to go someplace well known.
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Post by Brandon Walsh is Insane. on Dec 12, 2008 18:46:27 GMT -5
The grinding is just the brake pad; the part where the wheel DOESN'T TURN makes it seem that the rotor is already torn apart, and probably even the caliper.
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Evil Homer
Hank Scorpio
I am Evil Homer, I am Evil Homer.
Posts: 5,377
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Post by Evil Homer on Dec 13, 2008 12:05:46 GMT -5
I had the same exact problem with my first car. I ignored it for a while, and ended up totaling it.
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Post by Can you afford to pay me, Gah on Dec 13, 2008 18:12:35 GMT -5
Sounds like you need new brake pads. You see this happened to my car but not with the wheels locking because I got it fixed when the grining noise start happening. Basicly what you have going on is that your pads have worn off. So when your press down on your brakes it metal on metal.
Now when your wheel locked up. It could be two thing. One the two medals got so hot it ceased (Sp?) up. When you hit reversed you say it broke lose. Which means your rotter is likely going to need to be replaced or turned. That or your caliper (Sp?) is not working right. Because the caliper is what the pads are on. What they do is squeeze the rotter to make you stop. That Lock up could be the caliper not releasing the rotter.
Having a rooter turning is a cheaper thing to do and if they can fix it that way. More power to you because it is much cheaper then buying a new one. You have to find an Auto parts place that does it because not all places to them anymore. Because they want you to spend more in a lot of them
Also have the caliper (Sp?) checked. They are what stop your car because that is the part that when you hit the paddle. I what squeezes the rotter to make it stop. If there not right then you could be in a bad deal where your car does stop. So when you wheel locked up. That could be another reason.
I know my car one of my caliper was not releasing on the way that made the noise because it was rubbing. Which the best way to know that is looking at your wheels. If you see a lot of black on them. It called brake dust. Which is yor pad rubbing away.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 13, 2008 18:20:48 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice guys.
Unfortunately I'm seriously f***ed because I am broke as hell. Just...flat broke. So I have no money to get it fixed at all. But knowing the problem is at least part of the battle.
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TOTB - Think Outside The Box
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Post by TOTB - Think Outside The Box on Dec 13, 2008 21:24:46 GMT -5
Dude, do NOT drive that car anymore til you get it fixed, if at all possible. I had the same problem, and when I needed to stop......the truck I rear ended instead stopped me.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 14, 2008 3:32:51 GMT -5
If I could not drive it, trust me, I would. But really it's not a viable option at the moment.
I gotta hope for the best here, really.
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Viva
Dennis Stamp
THAT'S MY PURSE! *kick to the groin*
You can dance if you want to.
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Post by Viva on Dec 14, 2008 3:50:50 GMT -5
If I could not drive it, trust me, I would. But really it's not a viable option at the moment. I gotta hope for the best here, really. Yeah. f*** all the innocent people I'm going to endanger.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 14, 2008 3:53:56 GMT -5
Okay, well I'll just walk unreasonable distances to be late for job interviews. Among other things.
I'm going to avoid driving as much as possible, sure. But really, the attitude is not necessary, man.
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Viva
Dennis Stamp
THAT'S MY PURSE! *kick to the groin*
You can dance if you want to.
Posts: 4,099
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Post by Viva on Dec 14, 2008 3:55:08 GMT -5
You can make any excuse you want to get behind the wheel. FACT: You will be endangering innocent people every time you do. It's not attitude just because you don't want to hear it.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 14, 2008 3:59:33 GMT -5
It was an attitude because of the way you said it. The statement could've been made without being a dick. Clearly you didn't choose that path.
And if I could get this stuff fixed, I would. But I am broke. Not "there are more important things to spend my money on" broke. Broke as in "I can't even afford to ride the bus". Soon enough driving won't even be a problem 'cause I'll be out of gas.
So I won't be a danger to people for much longer anyway.
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Viva
Dennis Stamp
THAT'S MY PURSE! *kick to the groin*
You can dance if you want to.
Posts: 4,099
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Post by Viva on Dec 14, 2008 4:01:33 GMT -5
I'm a dick because I'm blunt with the truth? Please, dude. I'm not going to argue with you about it, but I am willing to donate some money to your cause. I'll paypal you 100 bucks if you use it to take the bus to job interviews instead of using your car.
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Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,873
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Dec 14, 2008 4:05:56 GMT -5
Nah thanks, man. I'm not worried about donations, though it's a generous offer.
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