This issue has only become obvious since fitting new front wheel bearings a few months ago. Any application of the brakes(at any speed) results in severe shuddering of the steering column and steering wheel, and only ceases when the brakes are almost locked up. Strangely, this condition comes and goes without any real indication as to why. On the recent Easter Cowra weekend, I drove the car from Sydney to Cowra and return, without any sign of this problem, however two days after returning to Sydney it surfaced again without warning. So far the following work/inspections have been carried out: 1: Steering rack and tie-rod ends/ball joints all checked AOK, 2: Shocks, springs, Upper and Lower Control Arms and bushes/bearings checked and no faults found, 3: Tension Rods replaced, 4: Front DBA 4000 discs checked and machined. During this it was discovered that the R/H Hub had a 15 thou run out(apparently caused when wheel bearings were replaced). 5: Replaced R/H front Hub, 6: Wheels rebalanced(but not out of balance when checked), 7: Wheel Alignment checked and found to be perfect. 8: Chassis rails inspected and BOTH front rail ends found to have welds broken away from Radiator Support Panel at both sides(worse on Drivers side), 9: Chassis inspected and re-welded by local workshop who specialize in building Rally cars. 10: Drove 40km from home to Wheel Alignment specialist(to check alignment after welding). NO SIGN OF SHUDDER, however, on the return journey it was as bad(if not worse) than ever. I have no more ideas on what to look for next(other than another car). Anyone with some alternate reasoning, please feel free to give some input.
Listen here Chris, why are you pointing out my Alzheimer's problem? Forgot to mention that the calipers have been removed and replaced three times during this exercise and I have just replaced the pads with new Greenstuff, two days ago(although the calipers have not been overhauled thus far). Thanks for the input mate.:zlove:
Front tyres ? Had a similar prob to this was my front tyres, because of camber on front, the tyres were wearing on the inside shoulder unevenly and caused a shudder under braking. Just a thought and one more thing to wonder about. fixed by rotating tyres front to back ( same side of course, directional tread ) Cheers and hope this helps Andy
If you haven't overhauled the calipers since you have had it then perhaps one of the pistons has seized. Kits are fairly cheap from Coz although order other parts at the same time as postage is the killer when bringing in "stuff". When you sort out the problem let us know what it was. A lot of people ask for guidance on this forum but don't finish up saying what the problem actually was and so we don't fully learn about our temperamental beasts. Good luck.
Keep it up Greg, and you will get a first-hand opportunity to witness my Tourette Syndrome attack.:bash:
Haha Had to look Tourette's up. Reckon it could be a sticky piston or possibly air in brake fluid at one wheel.
another possibility. Make sure the mounting surface on the hub where the disk bolts is clean. no rust or dirt or that can cause runout. Can you feel it through the steering wheel? Are you certain it is the fronts?
Few thoughts, Chilli... unless you replaced them yourself, were the metal vibration shims replaced (and correctly) after rotors machined and pads re-fitted; secondly, and more dangerously (as I found to my amazement), a broken wheel stud/s (have had THREE occur in past 3-months!!), will definitely cause this condition (I know!!); and, finally, also from recent experience and most unusual/curious of all, a broken/sheared or loose caliper bolt will most definitely cause this!! My experience involved the whole caliper literally falling off and jamming the LH front wheel... fortunately, just as I was leaving my front gate for a 100km trip up the coast highway. I have spoken to, and shown, brake experts, mechanics, and others, all of whom had never seen this occur before. One bolt had sheared two-thirds of the way down the caliper thread (???), and the remaining bolt had gradually loosened until it came loose, but was still (just) hanging at the end of the caliper thread!! Damned if I can work out how, or for how long, it had been like that.... maybe worth a check.
It causes violent shuddering at the steering wheel. Pumping the brake pedal lightly before applying heavier pressure can, in some instances, lessen the amount of shudder(but not erase it totally). Brake pads have brand new shims affixed(but still squeal like a banshee). Just 15mins ago, I noticed a previously non-existent sponginess in the brake pedal, so looks like a power bleed will be on the agenda Monday morning. Thanks for your suggestions.
Rotors? check that they aren't warped (if they're old or stockers coz if you got the bearing done then that would expose disc warp if you know what I mean. I had the same prob til i got new rotors and pads.
Don't be too hard on him Chris(that would be valid advice if it hadn't already been done), at least he was trying to help.:zlove::zlove:
Sorry Crisbix, I must have missed it A bit rough bashing me with a hammer love you too No chance the ABS could be playing up? I wouldnt look for another car yet CHILI, it's gotta be fixable. Can't just write of a car for shuddering brake applications
Anybody want to elaborate on the ABS suggestion? Certainly the ABS Sensors would have been disturbed when the Wheel Bearings were replaced a while back(and again when the replacement Hub was fitted a few days ago). Any ideas from people with ABS knowledge?
Any possibility of rim fatigue or damage, elongating of stud holes? Are you able to swap to another set of rims and tyres to eliminate this possibility. Maybe worth looking at on-vehicle balance, but for a problem that comes and goes, I am assuming it is related to something that is moving about and shouldn't be. Question for somebody else to answer - Can a problem in the anti-lock braking cause this type of effect?
Sticky loves it rough.... How come your all gracious now, are you feeling unwell? Had a similar problem with the ABS on the AU Falcon ute. Turned out to be a dead sensor on the rear. Did throw a error code and made the warning light come on. It was a really bad shudder, like the car would take twice as far to stop ABS constantly on if you will. A good hard pedal to the floor stop would cause the ABS to turn off completely and the brakes would work nomally again (but without ABS). Maybe try removing the ABS fuse and see if that helps.
