Brake Problem

[B_Master_Flash]

My 2002 Solara was technically new when I bought it, but it had 1,000 miles from a previous owner who had to return it. Now the car has about 3500 miles, and my brakes make a clunking sound when I first use them and they are cold, also I had to actually step on the brakes pretty hard the other day and I was shocked how poorly they stopped the car. Any Ideas what could be wrong with them?

[WTF??]

Its a relatively new car that you have... get it checked out at a local shop unless you kno how to check em out yourself...

many ppl have upgraded their brake system saying that the toyota brakes are crappy... do a search from the past week and you'll see

[TXSolaraSLE]

So the clunking sound only happens when you start driving? What about all the other times, like after they're "warmed up" or during a hard stop? I get kind of a grumbling grinding noise when coming to a hard stop, just at the last few feet of the slow-down. I dunno if it's similar to your problem....any suggestions guys?

[Stock Solara SEV6]

My 2002 Solara was technically new when I bought it, but it had 1,000 miles from a previous owner who had to return it. Now the car has about 3500 miles, and my brakes make a clunking sound when I first use them and they are cold, also I had to actually step on the brakes pretty hard the other day and I was shocked how poorly they stopped the car. Any Ideas what could be wrong with them?

It's possible that the brake pads are glazed from overheating. If you like checking things out yourself, you can take the wheel off and the caliper off and look at the pads. If they are shiny, they are glazed. You can sand off the glazing. Not sure what the clunking sound is, but might be best to just take it into the dealer.

[Stock Solara SEV6]

My 2002 Solara was technically new when I bought it, but it had 1,000 miles from a previous owner who had to return it. Now the car has about 3500 miles, and my brakes make a clunking sound when I first use them and they are cold, also I had to actually step on the brakes pretty hard the other day and I was shocked how poorly they stopped the car. Any Ideas what could be wrong with them?

It's possible that the brake pads are glazed from overheating. If you like checking things out yourself, you can take the wheel off and the caliper off and look at the pads. If they are shiny, they are glazed. You can sand off the glazing. Not sure what the clunking sound is, but might be best to just take it into the dealer.

[B_Master_Flash]

So the clunking sound only happens when you start driving? What about all the other times, like after they're "warmed up" or during a hard stop?

They only make the clunking sound the first 2 or 3 times I use the brakes after my car has been sitting for a while, I'm guessing it stops because they warm up, but I really dont know, maybe it has something to do with brake fluid. I'm prolly just going to get it checked out by the dealer and let them deal with it.

[aerostar33]

My 03 does that and my last car did too. I think when your car sits for a period of time, there is some buildup (rust?) on the brakes, and it will wear off quickly as you drive and they "warm up".

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

My 03 does that and my last car did too. I think when your car sits for a period of time, there is some buildup (rust?) on the brakes, and it will wear off quickly as you drive and they "warm up".

TRUE! when i didn't drive my celica for good 8 months, man the noises were horific! but overtime, the disc surfaces look cleaner and shinery...and NO rust spots....i think its normal...
B_Master_Flash: do you park in an environment where there is some watervapor..or sprinkers or dew in the mornings...that can increase the initial sqweekings in the morning....

[Missay]

I just had my breaks replaced last month and I had mentioned to my mechanic the next day that they creaked a lot when I would first turn the car on and exit driveways/parking lots. I forgot about it, but he didn't and noticed it when he took my car when it broke down. He told me that the material of the breaks doesn't work that well until they warm up and then they work fine.

I don't see why he didn't use a different brand/type instead?

[B_Master_Flash]

B_Master_Flash: do you park in an environment where there is some watervapor..or sprinkers or dew in the mornings...that can increase the initial sqweekings in the morning....

Good point, I do park next to sprinklers. I took the car to the factory today and they looked at it and said my brakes were fine, and that the car prolly didn't stop as fast as I had expected it too becasue the brakes on the Solara are total garbage. So now I'm looking for an upgrade, any suggestions? Should I get bigger rotors, or just replace the pads?

[WTF??]

think we should combine this topic to this...

http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopi ... 9&start=15

kinda related... all about brakes