So I just bought a 2004 Ex 4x4 4wd with only 50k from a dealer. While test driving the truck would shake/shudder when braking at 50-70 getting worse if you were going faster, as a condition of the sale they said they would look into it. They did and said it was the tires?? They balanced and rotated and did and alignment. Are they correct? the tires are BFG AT 33x12.5x16.5 on aftermarket rims.

 

Sounds like warped rotors.

 

That's what I was thinking but they said the brakes were fine

 

When you are braking and the truck shudders, do you feel it in the brake pedal? If so, it's the front, if not, rears. I just went through this on my truck and found my rear rotors severely worn. I also had the right rear parking brake partially stuck on. Another telltale sign of rear brake issues is that braking feels smooth when the entire system is cool, the rears take longer to heat up since they don't do as much work as the fronts...then the shudder returns.

If it was tires, it would shake all the time and not just when the brakes were applied. Does or did it shake all the time?

 

Don't forget to check the calipers, they can stick. Do you smell a funny burnt odor from any of the four corners?

 

No burning smell.it doesn't shake when driving just when brakes applied at high speed. If it is the brakes then they are lying.. They are a pretty big dealership so I don't see how it would be in their interest to lie?

 

No I don't feel it in the brake pedal

 

Most likely brake rotors warped/deposits on it.
Another issue they have is sticking calipers caused by the slide pins not maintained enough. Easy removal and install. But if the calipers stick, this will heat things up a lot and more prone to warped/deposited rotors.
Tell them to fix the brakes and lube the slide pins too once you get back from that first test drive after they do the tires and it's still not fixed.

 

Does it do it all the time? If yes, look at the brake components. My ex is also an 04 and I have been trying to figure out what my intermittent shudder when applying the brakes is. Mine can do it at any speed but is not consistent. About the only thing I have not replaced is calipers.

 

Sounds like the rotors, and I'm a little confused at the tire/wheel combo, are you sure its a 16.5, not a 16? I have never seen a 16.5 on an X.

 

Yes it is 16.5 they don't sell them anymore.

 

Agree: New rotors/ pads / flushed lines / lubed slides and you'll be out of the braking shudders.