Hi everybody,

My brake pads have some rust on them. At the same time, the brake pedal and steering wheel shakes when I brake. Do you guys think they are related?

 

Nope, you pads look normal. It's a good bet you have one of the following issue (listed in order of probability):

1. A warped rotor or rotors.
2. A rotor or rotors with hot spots (different tempering due to heat stress).
3. Your car is infrequently driven and there is an uneven layer of surface rust on your rotors (which will wear off with a little bit of driving).

 

Usually It's not possible to see uneven brake wear on examination. If you have a spare pair of brake pads you may try those, if the problem go's away it was the brake pads.

It's hard to say without knowing what year the car is, how long the car has had the symptoms and when they presented themselves. Brake pads and rotors that aren't properly broken in create an uneven surface, this unlevel surface causes a bad grip on the rotors when stopping the car and this produces that vibration you're talking about as the pads struggle to grip the rotor.

 

Your photo shows no rust on the brake contacting surfaces. They're good.

Have your brake rotors turned (brake shop, any dealer) and your problem will go away.
Warped rotors, common. Each rotor can take 2 or 3 turnings and will then need to be repaced.

 

I think you have been given some good info there. Let us know what you find out.


WheelBrokerAng