Providing A Remedy For Pedal Pulsation Through
A Methodical Diagnostic Approach

For most import repair shops, brake pedal pulsation or brake vibration is one of the most frequent brake performance complaints coming through the door. If a customer complains of pedal pulsation or steering wheel shimmy when the brakes are applied, the most common assumption is that heat, wear, corrosion or mechanical stress is causing a variation in braking torque to occur that's directly proportionate to wheel speed.

While servicing disc brake rotors might seem like "old hat" to many import brake technicians, the reduced mass of modern brake rotors, plus changes in the composition and materials of modern brake pad materials, make correct brake rotor service more important than ever. The reduced mass of modern brake rotors often causes them to be less tolerant of dimensional inaccuracies and poor installation procedures than are earlier systems.

Solving a one-time occurrence is one thing, solving a chronic or repeat instance of pedal pulsation is quite another. After all, it's your reputation on the line and, while your customer doesn't mind paying a fair price for service, he or she will begin to take notice when they appear to be paying for the same repair twice. Consequently, any case of brake pedal pulsation should be approached in a methodical manner that, not only provides a remedy, but determines the cause of repeat cases.

...