Recently my Explorer will vibrate/shimmy when braking at high speed (50+ mph). The vibration only occurs while braking and not while driving and it only occurs whn braking from high speeds. Anybody have an idea what maay be the source of the vibration?

Thanks

 

Give us some more info what year truck? have you had any brake service done recently? does it feel like it is coming from the front or the rear? Are you lightly pressing your brakes or pressing down hard? If your are pressing hard at 50+mph this could cause it to vibrate/shimmy.

 

Thanks Bulldog. Truck is a 1995 4 door. Rear brake pads have been replaced recently although the vibration occured both before and after the pad replacement. It is hard to isolate whether the vibration is coming from the front or the rear, the whole vehicle just vibrates. The vibration occurs when light to moderate pressure is applied to the pedal.

 

It sounds like you have warped rotors. This usually happens if someone over-tightens the wheels. Did the problems start after you had any tire or brake work performed?

 

Yep. Rotors are warped. Not hard to replace, but good rotors are $$$.

 

Not really. www.rockauto.com $22 ea for Raybestos. They are very easy to replace as well. If they are rusted on, hammer the rotor hat area between the studs but don't hit the studs. Pull on the rotors edge as you hammer and they will free up but be patient and don't beat them so hard that you damage something else like the hub behind it. Use brake cleaner to remove the shipping grease on the rotors before re-installing. Nows a good time to paint the rotor hats and calipers as well if you like that look. I painted mine black so I would'nt see them rusting.

 

Also, get a torque wrench to torque the lugs to the factory spec and follow the standard tightening pattern. Don't go cheep on the rotors-they'll warp again in 10-20k if you do.

 

I'll second what lardman said...DON'T go cheap on the rotors. If you order online, also make sure that you get the correct part. Rotors for 4wd are different than 2wd, and 4 wheel abs is different then RABS. I checked rockauto too, and the least expensive 4wd w/ 4 wheel ABS was $50 each. The torque wrench is a good idea too. Whenever someone else does any work on any of my vechiles (state inspection, new tires) I take my torque wrench with me and retorque all of the lug nuts in the parking lot before I drive away.

Good luck!

Matt

 

Thanks for all the replies. What manufacturers do you guys recommend as making good quality rotors?