My brakes that is.

I've been tearing my hair out looking for an explanation as to why my car has been shaking like an addict when I brake. Most of the vibration was through the steering wheel, but it had less than a year old Brembo rotors on the front and new pads, surely they didn't have significant runout already. And in fact, I measured them and the runout was below the max allowable value in Bentley.

Well, the simplest explanation is usually the right one. Today (I had the day off) I replaced all four rotors with new ATEs, replaced the pads with PBRs - ceramic on one end, semi-metallic on the other - and was ultra-anal about cleanliness. Removed all rust from any part touching the rotors, used acetone to degrease all brake contact surfaces, silicone greased all the moving bits on the calipers, and used new teflon coated steel shims.

Smoooooth as glass. It's like some unknown force is slowing the car without any noticable contact. I love it, and I wish I'd given in and put new rotors on in the first place.

Oh, and the emergency brake is an evil demon infecting our cars and should be exorcized. Stupid rear rotors.

Now, I've only to replace one more inner tie rod, get the car aligned and possibly the wheels balanced, and I should have one sweet, smooth ride.