So while taking the pin-stripes of the car today I noticed the rotors had grooves in them which means they are going to get replaced. My question is ever since I got the car a month ago the brakes just really suck. I have to push really hard if I need to stop quickly. But stopping to a stop light or round-about the brakes work decent. So will replacing the rotors fix my braking issue?


1996 Sunfire, 2.2L, 18" Equus/General Exclaim UHP
Alpine CDE-9845

A little update, driving home today from work and forced all my attention to the brake pedal and it does pulsate and you can hear a distinct grind when braking. So looks like I will be purchasing new brake rotors.


1996 Sunfire, 2.2L, 18" Equus/General Exclaim UHP
Alpine CDE-9845

Probably a good place to start. replace the pads and rotors. Not hard to do on these cars. Very basic.

Do you have a pulsation when stopping?

If you turn in cores and all that good stuff, you can replace the calipers, rotors, and pads, and buy brake fluid to do a flush for under a 100 bucks. I would suggest doing it all if you are doing any of it. Might as well be safe instead of sorry later. If you just bought the car, you dont know how well it was maintained before you. Start fresh and replace all 3 major components in the braking system.

Sorry, I musta been reading your post as your were making another reply.

What evo fire said is a good idea. Start fresh.

Two things that are just as important if you do replace the items listed.I would get your tires balanced,and a alignment.Reason being pulsating can be also due to these two and will ruin your new parts if the car is even slightly out over time! My check for aligment is driving on a good level road at say 35mph just depress the brake and see (not holding the steering) and see if the car drifts to one side.I would do this to prevent issues down the line.Ok