Hey guys. First off, thanks to those who are helping me.

So down to the niddy griddy. If I brake and my car starts to shake, does it mean that the brake pads are bad or does it mean the rotors are bad or neither?

 

the higher probability is that the rotors need replaced or turned, personally ive never seen a set of pads make the car shake.

your rotors are either worn weirdly and need turned, or are deformed and need replaced.

that is assuming it is as you stated, only during braking.

 

While you are under the there with the front wheels jacked up check all of your ball joints and steering links for play. Any of these worn out can cause the same feeling.

 

What brand rotors do you have?

I know with cheaper brake rotors, all you need is one hard braking event to warp them.

 

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml

 

one of the greatest causes of warped rotors unevenly tourqued lug nuts

 

Read the Carrol Smith article