KoreySS Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 (edited) My girl has a 2004 grand am, and when you get on the brakes the front end shakes and the steering wheel shakes pretty good too. This only happens at about 70MPH+. If you stomp on them pretty hard it does not do it. only at about 30% - 60% pressure. I've checked the brakes and all looks good. Plenty of pad, rotors are smooth, no discoloration, and everything spins smoothly. I think it may be an out of balance tire, but wanted some opinions if you guys don't mind. I just don't want to deal with a wheel bearing or a cv joint. tie rod, ball joints, etc. all look good. Any ideas on what else to look for would be greatly appreciated. Car has 77,XXX mi on it and was just safety inspected last week. TIA -K- Edited July 28, 2007 by KoreySS (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I don't think it is a tire balance issue, if it was the steering wheel would shimmy at highway speeds with no brake applied. It sounds like there is a brake rotor with some latteral run out. In other words, a front rotor or rotors are warped, more or less from heat. Either they will have to be cut or replaced to alleviate the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoreySS Posted July 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I don't think it is a tire balance issue, if it was the steering wheel would shimmy at highway speeds with no brake applied. It sounds like there is a brake rotor with some latteral run out. In other words, a front rotor or rotors are warped, more or less from heat. Either they will have to be cut or replaced to alleviate the problem. I appreciate the fast response! The rotors look fine to me. No grooves, or any sign that they are warped. Of course she likes to slam the brakes pretty good when comin to a stop sign! Do you think I should just replace the rotors? Thanks again! -K- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I appreciate the fast response! The rotors look fine to me. No grooves, or any sign that they are warped. Of course she likes to slam the brakes pretty good when comin to a stop sign! Do you think I should just replace the rotors?Thanks again! -K- Heavy braking will do that, sometimes it can't be seen to the naked eye, but the rotors could be warped ever so slightly........enough to jitter the steering wheel and rattle your foot. Have the rotors ever been cut before? If they have, replace them. The thinner the rotor gets the easier it will warp. If they have never been cut, mill them and see what happens...... Oh yeah, it is best to start with a new set of good quality pads so they will seat with the cut or new rotors properly. Tell your girlfriend to go easy on the brakes the next 300 miles or so, until the pads seat.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoreySS Posted July 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I appreciate all your help! I think i will replace the pads and rotors and see what happens. Thanks again! -K- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I appreciate all your help! I think i will replace the pads and rotors and see what happens. Thanks again!-K- No Problem Let us know how you make out............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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