Beloved chariot announced it needed brakes on Friday, 95K, original everything. Not having a trusted mechanic, I went to "Just Brakes"...for the $99.88 job. Well, they told me that my calipers were crystallized and I needed a $548 brake job. @&*! that, I said, and they backed down to the original price, but oh by the way, we have to replace the discs(?) and that brought me to $170. Fine, just get me outta here.

So, I got it done, drove it 2 hours on highway 70mph (give or take) and it was fine. Stops even, straight and true.

This morning, back on the highway, now we have a shimmy, sort of like a lost wheel weight, but not that severe. Any idea what they did to my truck? I'm sure not going back there, but I'd like a little ammo in my collection for the next dance.

Help in Dallas! :-)

Thanks in advance, Jenny

 

Hi Jenny and welcome to FTE

The truck shimmies just driving down the highway? Not when you brake at highway speeds?
I sure hope they tightened the wheel nuts properly. I think I'd check that first. After that take a look at the wheels and see if you can see anywhere that there used to be a wheel weight and isnt now. It's possible they knocked one off.
Let us know what you find.

 

For it to drive fine for two hours and then shimmy the next morning would have me checking the lugnuts for tightness.

Wouldn't hurt to check the calibers and make sure they are bolted on as well.

 

...but it was fine for the trip home last night, unless I was just realllly tired.

I was going to take it to Goodyear to get it balanced/rotated in light of this...how do I see if the supposedly crystalized calipers are bolted in?

And I only feel the shimmy at highway speeds, and not while braking.

Thanks for the fast help!

jen

 

I would bet your calibers are just fine.

If yours is like mine there are two bolts on the inside of the wheel that hold the calibers in place. When they get lose you will hear it clunking as you drive over potholes and other rough stuff. I doubt they are your problem. Try your balancing first. At least you will have your lug nuts tightened again.