Ok guys, I'm new here and have a question that I hope can be answered here.

When I hit the brakes I have a shake, shudder, shimmy, or whatever else you call it. I don't think it's the ABS because it doesn't make any sounds like it's activating. Is there anyway to test them, like pulling a fuse, and if yes which fuse would it be on a '97 2X4?

It's almost like the rotors are warped and it's only catching in certain places, but I don't think this is true either because I put new rotors on and it still does it.

I haven't tried anything with the rear drums yet; could there be an issue back there?

Any ideas?

 

when you replaced the rotors you replaced the brake pads to right? i hope so? it might also be an alignment issue do you have uneven wear on your tires?

 

i would pull the front rotors and have them checked to see if they are warped. If they are, then that is the problem.

I had simular problems until i replaced my rotors. After replacing them, they stop as smooth as buttermilk...

 

Read much?

He REPLACED the rotors.



To test the rears only, use the parking brake.

Do it in a safe, empty parking lot and keep the release handle pulled so you can press/release pressure.

 

yes I did, but how long ago was they replaced and it is still possible that the rotors are warped. if they are good and hot and you hit a nice big puddle of water, warpage...

 

did you clean the rotors before putting them on? could be glazzed maybe?

 

Yeah, I put new pads on when I replaced the rotors. I changed out everything, pads, rotors, berrings, and seals. I did use the stuff to keep them from squeeling.

After changing the rotors there was no change in the amount of shimmy.

Good point on using the parking brake; I'll try that tonight to check the drums.

 

I 2nd the alignment. Its happend to me and that was my problem

 

This is normally caused by worn brake rotors (Parallelism and or Lateral run out). However, worn/loose suspension parts can also cause this problem. Check the tie rod ends, control arm bushings, ball joints, etc. If everything checks out try rotating your tires front to rear.

 

I didn't think about alignment; I didn't have the alignment done after the last set of tires. I didn't have any kind of "pull", so I didn't bother.

If there is a problem with suspension, wouldn't it happen while under acceleration?

 

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


Read up.

 

Nice article; Thanks.

 

Brake rotors **do** warp. Matter of fact.. technically speaking, there is no such thing as a perfectly flat machined part. When new they may be flat enough to not observe a vibration.. but nothing in life is "perfect". To over come an infinately variable range of un-perpendicular rotors, brakes have a designed-in way to accomidate this problem.

This points to the real issue in most complaints of this nature. The pins and holes that the calipar slide back and forth on/in are usually the problem. With the rotor not on the axle the calipar ought to slide back and forth easily with just a little drag.

Another thing that throws people off is doing just one axle and not the other. Doing just the fronts and not the rears may send you on a wild goose chase too.

Rich

 

how would i be able to fix this if it the calipar