Car doesn't brake as it should

[The Dark Prince]

Dear fellow MX-3 owners,

I just bought my first car about 3 weeks ago. It's a Mazda MX-3, 1.6i with 174k kilometers on it. When i went to check it out, it looked great and i didn't notice anything strange during the testdrive. However, i've been driving it every day for 3 weeks and it's starting to show some issues. It's hard to describe the problem, but here's the deal;

Each time i brake, it doesn't brake like any (normal) car does. The best way to describe it is as if you're trying to brake with a bent wheel on your bicycle. Also, i hear a strange (kind of) knocking sound whenever i turn my steeringwheel to the left or right. I don't know whether this is causing my braking problems or vice versa...

Does any of you experienced technicians have any ideas/thoughts on the cause of my problem?

Thanks in advance...




The Dark Prince

(PS. i'm not very technical when it comes down to cars, so don't use too much technical terms on me)

[PATDIESEL]

Easy, you have an older car that needs some attention. Obviosly the previous owner did take perfect care of the car, most people wouldn't. You are probably in need of a completely new braking system. (not new master cylinder or brake booster, but most everything else) New calipers, brake lines, a COMPLETE brake fluid flush, and maybe new pads and rotors. Total it would cost quite a bit if you get a shop to do all this and it would seem silly to spend that much on an older car unless you are like most of us and really think the MX-3 is worth more than most any newer car.
So you need to make a few calls and see what it would cost to have all this done at a shop near you. Then after finding out what the cost will be you need to decide what you are willing to spend right now vs. how much you want the braking to improve.

To be cheap, just get new pads and have the rotors turned (better pads will help some some spend the few extra dollars and get the good pads)

If you have some money in your pocket and want to really improve the brakes then get new brake lines and rebuilt calipers. You can buy the calipers at Rockauto.com for the front and when you get the brake job they will replace all the parts in the drums (rear brakes) that make the rear brakes work.
For even better than stock you can get stainless steel brake lines instead of rubber (rubber is what Mazda put on the car stock). The stainless lines will help a good bit. They can be bought at CorkSport.com for about 100.00 for all four.
Do not forget to tell the shop that you want a COMPLETE brake fluid flush. That will make sure that you get all that old fluid out and new fluid in its place.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your MX-3. I know I have for 8 years now

If my girlfriend (future wife) and my MX-3 were drowning, who would I save?... tough question.

[neutral]

Dear fellow MX-3 owners,

... However, i've been driving it every day for 3 weeks and it's starting to show some issues. It's hard to describe the problem, but here's the deal;

Each time i brake, it doesn't brake like any (normal) car does. The best way to describe it is as if you're trying to brake with a bent wheel on your bicycle. Also, i hear a strange (kind of) knocking sound whenever i turn my steeringwheel to the left or right. I don't know whether this is causing my braking problems or vice versa...

Does any of you experienced technicians have any ideas/thoughts on the cause of my problem?...

fwiw, a couple of thoughts that might apply and that don't happen to address the braking system itself... A wheel bearing that is worn/wearing out can cause that "bent wheel" shimmying sensation when braking. Possibly that is also causing the "knocking sound" when you are turning altho, I'm more familiar with a bad bearing making a shuddering/groaning/roaring sound when it goes bad. Another more common possibility re the steering related knocking is a worn CV (constant velocity) joint - i.e. the grooved joint at the ends of each half-axle that are encased in rubber CV boots (to keep grease inside). A worn CV should generally not cause the funky braking action though.

You can do a preliminary check for possible worn CV's by inspecting the CV boots for any signs of being torn or signs that grease leaked out of them. Each boot should be intact and free of grease build-up. Torn boot anywhere means that CV joint is suspect now, or soon will be without lubrication. You can check for worn wheel bearings by jacking up the car (jackstands = good idea too), grab the tire from opposite points on the tread surface with two hands, and flex the wheel a bit from side to side/top to bottom checking for excessive play. Almost anything noticeable mean it's excessive. The wobbly wheel would have the suspect worn bearing.

[PATDIESEL]

Bad alignment can cause the car to want to turn when braking too. But it should also be noticable that you have to steer the car when trying to stay straight also, if the alignment is off.

[The Dark Prince]

Thanks for the advice, i'll try to jack the car up and see what i can find this weekend. Could this problem, assuming it's the callipers and so on, become worse when i keep driving my car? Because i don't have the funds yet to get someone to check it out or get it fixed..

[SpikeDerailed]

You can do a preliminary check for possible worn CV's by inspecting the CV boots for any signs of being torn or signs that grease leaked out of them.

That was my feeling to, my dad's Subaru needed both CV joints replaced and my right CV boot just broke. Its not at the point on poping or snaping yet, since it just happened but I need to get out there and replace the stupid thing.

Just for fun jack up the front end and spin the tires make sure nothing is wrong with the differential, although it seriously sounds like CV/brake problems.

[93_mx3_gs]

I experienced the same thing when I purchased my car a while back. Shook like crazy when braking, clunking and such like I had been driving in a slalom or something. Anywho, I replaced, didn't turn, replaced all four rotors, new front calipers, new ceramic brake pads and new brake lines and it seems to no tdo that anymore. Now to get some rear calipers and take the plug out of the line XD