2001 Saturn SL2 - Veering left + wobbly braking?

YEVLAR

MEMBER
2001 SATURN

I drive a 2001 Saturn SL2 with 57,000 miles. Last year I drove it about 3500 miles in a period of two weeks (cross-country road trip.) Other than my regular oil changes and a bit of cosmetic work done to the front end (I hit a road cone. Don't ask.), Nothing has been done to the car since a transmission flush in 2004.

About two months ago, I noticed a bit of a buzzing when turning the wheel to the right at freeway speeds, which I presumed was low tire pressure. But after putting a spot of air in the tires (one was all the way down to 12psi) the noise persisted. This further developed into the car veering left at speeds above 40mph, which made me think I probably need an alignment (I haven't had it done yet- awfully busy schedule.) Now lately I've noticed that, when applying the brakes (especially slowing down at freeway speeds) there's a bit of give-and-take in the braking. The brakes slow down the car fine, but in the pedal I can feel a steady stuttering. I'm guessing this could be related to wobbly wheels, again emphasizing the need for an alignment. I don't think it's an ABS issue, because this occurs on the slightest application of the brakes.

Is this all related to an alignment issue, or is there anything else possible wrong?

2 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

If the only symptom is the pulsation in the brake pedal I would say it is a problem with the rotors. With normal wear rotors get thinner. As they get thinner they do not disapate heat as well as they do when new. They can "warp" which causes the pulsation. They can also warp from brakes that do not release or that are "ridden" by the driver.

Good luck and let us know. :)