Hello. I just purchased my 98 vette. The brakes seem to 'grab' at certain times. It happens during various speeds. I am not sure if it really is a grab, though. When it happens, it almost feels like you ran something over. I can feel it in the brake pedal; it has a loud 'pop', like I hit something. Anyone have any ideas what it could be? I am having the brakes looked at this weekend and just wanted to be ready. Thanks in advance.

Do you suppose that one of the rotors is loose?

Have the brakes been worked on lately?

Actually, I am thinking they haven't been. The owner before me kept every receipt for everything he has had done over the past 12 years. In those, I did not find anything for the brakes. I am taking it tomorrow to have them looked at. It has been lowered and two of the local Chevy dealerships wouldn't even work on it. I have to take it to the Firestone Complete Auto Care Store; I have heard good things about them.

You might want to check out a local Vette club and see if they have any suggestions for good mechanics. If you aren't doing the work yourself be very picky about who works on your car.

I totally understand. I have been very picky, but, I cannot find anyone to work on it. It has been lowered, and sits only 3 inches off the ground. I have been to two Chevy dealerships, and they won't touch it. Just today I went to 6 different places and finally found one to change the oil. I still haven't found someone to check out the brakes. No one has the capability to lift it off the ground. Someone did look at it with the wheels on, and said the pads had 50% wear on them, so they looked good. I have called every single auto repair shop in my county and the next one and can't find anyone to work on it.

3 inches off the ground? Could you post some pictures of the car?

Is it possible that what you are getting is tire rub inside the fenders? With the car as low as you say it is, I would be looking for signs of wear in the wheel wells.

Mine is not as low as yours and I've experienced it and in fact have a hole worn through the front fender liner. It can also cause twitchy handling, especially if it happens at the rear.

I would also be interested in seeing pics of your car. Maybe lostpasswords thought on body rub might have some merit, especially if the shocks are a bit weak.

Could be a caliper hanging up and not sliding properly. Then when it releases you have the bang and grab.

Thanks for all the advice. I would love to post some pictures if I could figure out how to do that. It is pretty low to the ground, but the suspension has been done by professionals. It's not a crappy job like you see sometimes on certain imports.

Try the brake bedding procedure some hard stops from high speed etc...learn the procedure. My reason is suspected pad material build up on your rotors. This is especially likely if the corvette is an A4. Pad material transfers to the rotors when they are hot and you keep your foot on the brake when stopped. The bumps of excess material can cause grabbing. An inexpensive potential solution. Best of luck