How bad is it to drive on highway with bad rotors for about 2 hours?

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

booyahh1

New Member
I'm planning on going on a trip and it's about a two hour drive. I've been to pepboys and they told me I have to replace my control arms (left and right) and he told me to stay off the highway. But my steering wheel also shakes when I slow down at high speeds. I'm wondering if I'll be alright if I make this trip? I'm not too worried about the control arms but I am more concerned about the rotors when it comes to staying on the freeway for two hours. HELP!
 
Its probably your ball joints then. So I would'nt drive it much and get them replaced ASAP. This is ironic coming from me since I'm in the same boat... And still driving on them.
 
Its probably your ball joints then. So I would'nt drive it much and get them replaced ASAP. This is ironic coming from me since I'm in the same boat... And still driving on them.
lmao at this twin turbo v8 crx you have in your sig... you dirty bastard you
 
The steering wheel shake is from the rotors. I wouldn't say to drive on them. Why not just swap out the fronts for now? It's really not expensive and easy as hell.
 
If he needs new control arms (which is just the more expensive way of replacing ball joints) then the shake is most likely started with the worn ball joint and in turn screwed up the rotors. At the mileage hes got on the car (unless hes changed ball joints in the past ) they are definetly due for some attention. Buying new frotors now is only going to ruin a new set unless the ball joints are replaced as well.
Another thing I've heard that needs attention around that mileage is the steering rack end bushing. It can intensify the shake of worn rotors/ball joints. Its a bitch to replace as you almost have to tear the rack completely apart but its a necessary fix eventually. Please correct me if Im wrong on that last part. As I said I'm in the same boat as the OP

booyah, Does your car squeek just before coming to a stop or make a clunking sound in the front end when hitting bumps along with the shake?
 
No I don't hear any noises or sounds from the front end. I'm wondering though. If I get the rotors trued would that make my trip safer considering I'm planning on going in 12 hours
 
Did they give you a reason why you'd need your control arms changed? If you're not hearing or feeling anything over bumps and its just your rotors then as long as they are still within acceptable thickness having them turned should be ok. That is of course as long as thats the only problem.

Screw it, just drive the thing. If your on the freeway anyway you shouldnt be using the brakes all that much. Just try not to get in any hard braking and/or cornering situations to be on the safe side.

Get whatever it is fixed ASAP. Go to a real mechanic. PepBoys is good for replacement parts and a huge rice section and thats about it.
 
Well the only thing they told me was that the control arms were old and needed to be replaced and all I really saw the dude do was put one hand at the top of the tire and the other on the bottom and wobbled both front tires. I then went to my moms mechanic whom she trusts and asked if it were true. He said yeah but never said not to get on the freeway. I think I'll just go ahead and get the rotors trued and make the trip. Thanks a lot man!
 
If the joints are so weak they are wobbling, there is a good chance that you can snap them. They are probably causing the shudder under braking as well, with your wheels bouncing in and out of alignment. If you drive it anyway, then snap them, not only are you going to have to replace those, but likely the entire front suspension, fender, maybe even a door and some "frame" work if it gets nasty. Ever seen a fwd car have a front tire failure on the highway? It just tears everything up.

I'd say skip the rotors and get the control arms fixed. Then drive it again and see if it is also the rotors.
 
Is this trip necessary? Or is it just for pleasure? If it's not necessary, then fix your car first...
 
....And the reason the control arms have to be replaced and not just the ball joint is that the ball joints are practically welded in on the 94-97 accords and they are a bitch to try and get out of the arm...
 
I would replace them before the trip. I had worn out B-joints on my truck and I was lucky because they give no warning when the fail. I was doing about 40km/h at the time and the next thing I knew, my front end hit the ground and the left tire/rim hit the fender well. Came to a grinding hault.
 
If he needs new control arms (which is just the more expensive way of replacing ball joints) then the shake is most likely started with the worn ball joint and in turn screwed up the rotors. At the mileage hes got on the car (unless hes changed ball joints in the past ) they are definetly due for some attention. Buying new frotors now is only going to ruin a new set unless the ball joints are replaced as well.
Didn't know that. I better keep my eyes open as my Integra is at 145k. But I have no shakes at the moment. Rotors fixed the problem the last time. But I knew they needed to be changed.
 
The trip went well! Thanks for your answers though. And I'll definitely get to fixing my problems.
 
Back
Top