steering/brakes?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Canada
steering/brakes?
1990 4.0L
When driving its fine, but when I hit the brakes the steering wheel shakes real bad. New ball joints, control arm. Where should I start? 290,000 km on it. Could it be the rotors, wheel bearings...? Thanks
When driving its fine, but when I hit the brakes the steering wheel shakes real bad. New ball joints, control arm. Where should I start? 290,000 km on it. Could it be the rotors, wheel bearings...? Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 319
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From: Sacramento
steering/brakes?
My 96 did the same. I loosened the front wheel lug nuts, and torqued them ( I forget what they're supposed to be, sorry) back to specifications. End of problem. It was explained to me that overtightening the Aerostar front wheels can warp the OEM rotors.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
steering/brakes?
Both previous posts are true. Warped rotors are distinquished from bad outer tie rod ends by a noticeable pulsation in the brake pedal along with the steering wheel shimmy you are experiencing. If you do not feel a pulsating pedal, the problem is likely the outer tie rod ends. This is a common problem and easily fixed. Just be sure to have the toe-in checked and set immediately after replacing the ends.
These vans are very sensitive to improper wheel lug torque, causing rotor warp. Lug nuts should be torqued to between 85-100 ft/lbs. Over, under or variable torque loading will all cause problems. I went through 3 sets of rotors early on, before seeing the correlation. I now specify what torque settings I want when visiting the tire shops and have never had any warping since that time.
These vans are very sensitive to improper wheel lug torque, causing rotor warp. Lug nuts should be torqued to between 85-100 ft/lbs. Over, under or variable torque loading will all cause problems. I went through 3 sets of rotors early on, before seeing the correlation. I now specify what torque settings I want when visiting the tire shops and have never had any warping since that time.
