Hi everyone, it's a been about a month now that i've experienced some scary braking situations. Before i continue, i changed the pads for stock volvo pads last fall and the rotors where new when i got the car (about 2 years ago).
I noticed (more often when it's wet outside) that when cruising down the highway and have to apply the brakes, it seems like i have to apply more pressure then usual to get the car to stop and that the front and the rear of the car start to sway side to side...pretty scary stuff..can this be due to water getting into the pads? can it be tire pressure? something else to check??
I was at the dealership today and they checked the rotors and pads and they are in good shape, but they did say that brake fluid is a little dark...
let me know.thanks
fabs

 

Sounds like the car is not breaking evenly. You may have a bad caliper. Have the system bled and / or replace the brake fluid.

 

update/***
well i did a brake fluid flush (had to do it anyway)..but in the process i think i figured out what it was...
as i got to the last bleed (front drivers side), as i went to take off the wheel, i noticed that instead of have the 5 lug nuts i only had 3 :-((((
I think that either they came out or when i had my bearing changed, they forgot to put the 2 back in??? anywho i will get 2 more tomorrow and see if it helps..
ciao
fabs

 

You could not see that you were missing lug nuts?

 

RSPI...i just noticed it then...it's not everyday that i check to see if i got all my nuts! hahah i just didn't notice them..i'll get them tomorrow..lucky i noticed..i've been driving like this for a little while...few weeks...hopefully i don't have any other damage..doh!
fab

 

Well, I'm real glad you figured that out. That explains why most wheel & tire shops have 2 people to install wheels, one to install them and the other to double check torque.

Be careful!

 

wow, champ!!