Shimmy while braking

[06silver3]

No it is not the latest dance craze to sweep the nation.

My '06 is showing signs of needing attention.
While braking, at any speed but most noticeably from 60km on down, the steering wheel shimmies. Nothing outrageous, but noticeable.
The car has new pads and rotors within the last 3 months, and I have cleaned the mating surfaces of the front hubs, rotors and rims.

Could this be steering related?

[vinnierap]

is it only when braking? it could be a broken axle, had the same issue with my truck

[n00bMeiSter]

if it was a broken axle, wouldn't he notice it more than just when braking at 60 or under?

[Flagrum_3]

No it is not the latest dance craze to sweep the nation.

My '06 is showing signs of needing attention.
While braking, at any speed but most noticeably from 60km on down, the steering wheel shimmies. Nothing outrageous, but noticeable.
The car has new pads and rotors within the last 3 months, and I have cleaned the mating surfaces of the front hubs, rotors and rims.

Could this be steering related?

Improbable it's a steering issue, more likely a 'bedding' issue. Or extremely, a slightly warped rotor.

my 2c,


_3

[06silver3]

That is what is tough to diagnose.
The more pedal pressure I give, it disappears. There is also a bit of vibration, while driving, at around 90 km. Not noticeable above or below.
I don't know if one has anything to do with the other or not.
Because I can still see the crosshatch on the rotors from being new I am inclined to believe it is not the brakes.
Steering end links perhaps?

[Flagrum_3]

Have you had your bearings checked?
Or checked for an imbalanced tire? (vibration at 90k).


_3

[TheMAN]

shimmying or vibrations when braking are caused by rotor runout, nothing else... if your wheels were not torqued evenly and properly, it could warp the rotors, doesn't matter how new they are

when I first got my corolla beater, the wheels were just blasted on to whatever random torque using an impact wrench... the car had shimmying when I slammed on the brakes... I replaced the tires and tightened the lug nuts to 80ft lbs... it pretty much disappeared since then

[06silver3]

Bearings checked - no.
Tires balanced - both my summers and winters have been on the car and I am experiencing the same vibration at the same speed.

[06silver3]

shimmying or vibrations when braking are caused by rotor runout, nothing else... if your wheels were not torqued evenly and properly, it could warp the rotors, doesn't matter how new they are

when I first got my corolla beater, the wheels were just blasted on to whatever random torque using an impact wrench... the car had shimmying when I slammed on the brakes... I replaced the tires and tightened the lug nuts to 80ft lbs... it pretty much disappeared since then
Thanks for that.
I won't have the car for a week (rust repair at the body shop) but I will check into the rotor runout when I get it back.

[Darkice]

Its your rotors and nothing else oem rotors are shit! Warp to easily and cause to much noise

[Flagrum_3]

shimmying or vibrations when braking are caused by rotor runout, nothing else... if your wheels were not torqued evenly and properly, it could warp the rotors, doesn't matter how new they are

when I first got my corolla beater, the wheels were just blasted on to whatever random torque using an impact wrench... the car had shimmying when I slammed on the brakes... I replaced the tires and tightened the lug nuts to 80ft lbs... it pretty much disappeared since then

Let's not forget he mentions a slight vibration at speed when NOT braking. I would assume the two issues may not be related, but you never know. I would put the blame on the rotors for the brake shimming but I don't dispute 'uneven torquing' as a possible cause either. ...I'd still suggest having the bearings checked and possibly both front tires for balance check and at the same time he can take care to have the nuts torqued properly, when re-installing the wheels.

_3

[06silver3]

Thank you all for your advice.
Unfortunately it will be a week before I can do anything to get this corected, but I will let you know what it is once I figure it out.

[TheMAN]

Its your rotors and nothing else oem rotors are shit! Warp to easily and cause to much noise

really? all of my cars, including the 3 are pretty old now and have MANY miles without warped rotors.... how did I manage that? use a torque wrench on the wheels... something those monkeys at the crappy shops don't use and blast the lug nuts on with an impact wrench

[vinnierap]

if it was a broken axle, wouldn't he notice it more than just when braking at 60 or under?

Typically yes. BUT, Before I bought my speed I had a Dodge Ram. The truck one day just started shaking as I was braking (it was winter and I figured snow was causing the problem). I got to work and ignored it figuring the snow would melt. The problem continued on and off for a few weeks. Eventually I went to my mechanic and my passenger axle was broken.

The axle would go back into place some times and drive smoothly, then while braking or going over a bump it would pop out and cause vibration.

If the problem persists it worth taking a look at.

[Cosmo77]

is it only when braking? it could be a broken axle, had the same issue with my truck

Broken axle on a 2wd frt wheel drive car....hmmmm I think you would notice your not going anywhere....

[06silver3]

Well, all the speculation can come to an end. It was the passenger side front rotor.
I replaced the drivers side and went for a drive - no change. I then did the passenger side front and drove it - no more vibration.

Thanks for the advice and direction!

[TheMAN]

in the future, make sure your lug nuts are torqued to 80ft lbs, no more... this will stop it from happening again :)

[06silver3]

That is what is tough to diagnose.
The more pedal pressure I give, it disappears. There is also a bit of vibration, while driving, at around 90 km. Not noticeable above or below.
I don't know if one has anything to do with the other or not.
Because I can still see the crosshatch on the rotors from being new I am inclined to believe it is not the brakes.
Steering end links perhaps?
Turns out the tires were out of balance and that was causing the vibration at 90 kmh.