For the past few years I've had a violent shake under braking on occasion. May happen only once every few months, but when it does its bad. It doesn't seem to happen in any particular circumstance. I will go to stop and there will be a violent shake and audible 'thunking' in the front end that you can feel and stopping power is greatly decreased. Pumping the pedal usually doesn't help, and after you come to a complete stop all will be well again. I have replaced all components in the front end, ball joints, tie rod ends drag links, I-beam bushings, radius arm bushings, calipers rotors and caliper pins and it still does it some times. Any thoughts?

 

Hmmmm, couldn't be wheel bearings for that long.

And it's strange that it only happens occasionally or you'd suspect warped rotor and most everything you replaced already...

 

"audible 'thunking' in the front end that you can feel and stopping power is greatly decreased."

Check your Shocks and Springs...A seized shock and or bad springs can cause this condition. The shock(s) may be working most of the time but if you hit the right bump the piston rod may **** to the side just enough to jam it up until you hit the brakes and it starts shaking, then you hear the clunk of the shock releasing. That's the only thing I can think of other than your steering box is loose, but I'd think you'd have play in the steering.

 

Not bad thinking. A pair of shocks is cheap enough. Give it a shot!

 

I ordered a pair of KYB gas-a-just and a set of moog sway bar bushings. I'm also going to replace the caliper slide pins and pads since they do have some miles on them.. It did it to me 2x in 150 miles the other day towing my boat..

 

I put on the new shocks, sway bar bushings and pads/caliper pins today.. Will report back on the clunk. The sway bar seemed quite loose and is tight now so that may have been the problem. The kyb's are some of the strongest shocks I've ever had to compress to install. I was impressed.

 

Good Deal...Hope it works.

 

Well that didn't fix it.. Replaced the rotors and put on a different set of pads today. If that doesn't fix it I'm going to have to take it somewhere. I don't see what else can be the problem and I have replaced every part/bushing in the front end chasing the problem..

 

Not much left to replace....radial arm bushings?

 

I've replaced those too.. The rotors were 5yrs old but only had 20k on them and it stops smooth and straight when it isn't clunking. I've never run into a problem like this.. We'll see if the new rotor/pad combo helps anything.

 

My 94 2wd did something like this, to me it felt like the wheel was hopping and it shook really bad. Ended up being the tires which suprised me.

 

This is a long shot, but are you sure nothing is loose or broken in the rear suspension or driveshaft? Up front I'd check for broken spring perches and radius arm bushings. Let us know when you find it!

 

I may have had a breakthrough this evening. Decided to adjust the rear drums and the left rear wouldn't adjust so I took off the drum and found a broke spring and the adjuster cable and guide destroyed.. Fingers crossed that a malfunctioning rear brake could cause a clunk in the front.. Put on new shoes and a new hardware kit.

 

It just occurred to me that I never updated this post.. The rear brakes were causing my violent shake in the front end. Must have been something with one grabbing and the other doing nothing. I can't explain it but I haven't had any further issues since fixing the rear brakes.

 

That's great news, thanks for updating a conclusion.