Intermittent steering shake upon braking
#17
I had a very bad shake when braking from high speed (over 80kmph) when I first purchased my car. I had an alignment done since it was also pulling slightly to one side and it fixed about 50% of the shaking.
I have ordered new rotors and pads so will report back how I go once replacing these.
I have ordered new rotors and pads so will report back how I go once replacing these.
#19
It's easy to throw money into the car without narrowing down the problem. Fortunately for me, the problem is a fairly rare occurence. I'm must just very OCD and every little thing bothers me. Unless the steering shutter becomes a regular occurence, I'm living with it.
#21
I started this thread 10 days ago and so far after driving every day, I have not gotten the car to repeat the steering shutter under braking even once! Maybe I should see Dr Phil?? lol If I only get this once in a blue moon I will live with it. Everyone can be sure that if it gets worse I will post it!
#23
I had the same issue and here's what remedied the problem for me...
1. Check the rotors and make sure they are "true and straight" - sometimes they're warped due to hard braking, heavy use, or being turned down too much.
2. There is a metering control box that determines how much fluid is pushed to each brake and if it's not properly balanced that can also be the culprit. More than likely this will need to be checked by a professional.
The pads may be an issue but more often than not it's a rotor and or metering issue. Mine was corrected after I had these items checked. Shocks, struts, wheel alignment, etc may have an effect but rarely will it cause your steering to shake at braking. Chances are that if you brake hard the shaking is minimal which will confirm that it's a rotor and or metering issue. Good luck!
1. Check the rotors and make sure they are "true and straight" - sometimes they're warped due to hard braking, heavy use, or being turned down too much.
2. There is a metering control box that determines how much fluid is pushed to each brake and if it's not properly balanced that can also be the culprit. More than likely this will need to be checked by a professional.
The pads may be an issue but more often than not it's a rotor and or metering issue. Mine was corrected after I had these items checked. Shocks, struts, wheel alignment, etc may have an effect but rarely will it cause your steering to shake at braking. Chances are that if you brake hard the shaking is minimal which will confirm that it's a rotor and or metering issue. Good luck!
#25
UPDATE: After originating this thread almost a year ago, my steering wheel shaking upon braking has gotten noticeably worse. I can now get my car to do it more often, although not consistently. It's really annoying and I'm going to have my mechanic turn the rotors again. I assume replacing them with new OEM rotors is going to be pricey, but of course if this corrects the problem for another year, I'll deal with the matter at that time.
#26
I wouldn't bother turning the rotors. It just means there's less metal to dissipate the heat, meaning they will "warp" soon thereafter. It's better to replace the rotors and pads together. Make sure to bed the pads in well. Also make sure the calipers are torqued correctly. You need to replace the aluminum caliper bolts since they are single use.
#27
If it happens and you want to turn the rotors ever so slightly I would just get new rotors/new pads and bite the bullet. I had the same deal with mine, vibrate when they got hotter, not all the time but noticable none the less. Problem as you see is the life of a brake job is a long time. It can either be sweet or annoying. the car is so smooth and predictable it stands out like a sore thumb.
Tire rack Centrec rotors and lexus pads at a toyota dealer and have been the sweetest brakes of my life. Fronts where like 50 a piece rears like 70 or vise versus but shipping was 70 bucks right to the dealer
Tire rack Centrec rotors and lexus pads at a toyota dealer and have been the sweetest brakes of my life. Fronts where like 50 a piece rears like 70 or vise versus but shipping was 70 bucks right to the dealer
#28
I am sure there are other good aftermarket rotors but the techs said these where better than what they could get. They have a coating on them that resist currosion though in Fla I do not think it matters. Rotors where like 180 bucks a pop fron Lexus when I checked em out, yikes
#29
I agree with the above. Go ahead and replace the rotors and pads instead of turning the rotors. After turning mine, the shake came back and another shop found them to be severely warped. I ended up replacing them in the end.
#30
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions...........The part that pisses me off is that I had my pads replaced 2 years ago when the existing pads were 50% worn. I have only put on 8,000 miles in the last 2 years. Now I'm looking at doing it all over again with the added cost of new rotors. When working with aftermarket rotors, I'll need to use what the shop offers in order to warranty the job. Of course my problem always arises after the 12 month shop warranty. Go figure!
Last edited by Bocatrip; 06-01-12 at 06:18 AM.