Auto Parts: regular braking feels like ABS, wheel lug nuts, genuine honda parts

Question
Hi Mike,
I have a 14 year old (172,000 miles) Acura Integra that has run well over the years, and had several brake jobs done when needed.  The latest I had the rear brake pads replaced and rotors refaced was 27,000 miles (2 yrs 4 mos) ago.  And the latest I had the front pads and rotors replaced was 19,000 miles (1 1/2 year) ago.  Recently, I began feeling something unusual.  Everytime I apply the brakes, even on dry road, my foot gets a bouncy sensation, similar to when the ABS kicks in.  I don't hear the crunchy sound of ABS.  Usually when I had to replace brake pads, I heard a metallic grinding sound.  But this time, I don't get that kind of sound, just a feeling of intermitant, pumpy kind of braking.  Do you by any chance recognize this as a safety issue?  I would like to drive the car for a few more months, but was wondering whether this is a known symptom.  Thank you.

Answer
    If I had to guess, I'd say that you have one or more warped rotor.  Hondas (& Acuras, obviously) are prone to rotor warping, particularly if inferior parts or improper torquing are used.  If the wheel lug nuts are over-tightened, or tightened in the incorrect sequence, the rotor will start to warp, then the warping will get worse as the heat of braking slowly changes the structure of the metal.  As the warped rotor pushes the caliper back and forth, the pistons move in and out, displacing fluid and pushing back against the foot.  If the rotors are warped, the frequency of the pulsations should increase with the speed of the car.  ABS pulsations do not do this, they are the same at all speeds.  Because the front calipers contain much more piston area than the rears, it is most likely the front rotors that are warped.  I'd be tempted to replace the rotors with new ones, and I'd want to get Genuine Honda parts.  I'd also want to get new pads, and I'd want to get this all installed by a qualified Honda tech.  You don't have to go to a dealer; Hondas have enough idiosyncrasies that every town has at least one independent garage specializing in Honda repairs.  Just tell them what you think might be wrong, and make sure they are careful about the torquing of wheel bolts.  Tell them this up front and you should be happy with the results.