1997 850 Brakes thumping?

[xHeart]

The only way I can explain it is that when I am on an open road and there is a stop sign I can hear a noise, it almost sounds like it coming from the front right, that sounds like my tire went flat. It is a real dull thud, thud, thud. However, when I am in town and am going at a slower speed, I do not notice it as much, if at all.

I have named it The Red Baron phenomena.
It will become persistent at all speed, and visibly louder with time.
Look for wheel hub assembly, and replace in pairs.

[rspi]

Sad to say, I have actually seen cracked rotors that cause this noise/feeling as well.

[davolvo]

Ok, the garage told me it is a warped rear rotor, he even let me see the difference between the two and feel them. He told me that if I am going to do it, I might as well do both sides and since everything looks original, he suggested the calipers and pads be changed as well. What do you all think about that? I am a firm believer that it is not good to change just one of anything if there is more; might as well get it all done Right?

[erikv11]

I agree only change the rotors in pairs.

No harm in changing the pads of course, but I wouldn't change the rear pads if there was life (thickness) left in them. The rears wear slowly and do maybe 30% (?) of the braking; even with new rotors I'd probably stick with the old pads, because I'm frugal.

Your call on the calipers. I would probably not replace them just because they are old, but I might if they were especially rusty. I haven't yet had a caliper seize up on me but others have. That's when I intend to replace them, when one starts dragging.

[davolvo]

Yes, they are getting rusty.

[rspi]

They all have light surface rust. If the rust looks like chunks of rust can be pealed or flaked off, that is the kind of rust that would warrant replacement.