Hello!

I want to thank everyone who helped on an electical prblem 2 weeks ago. Now that THAT is fixed...

I have a brake problem? Or an alignment problem? Leme decribe it...

The whole TRUCK "chatters" when braking hard, even worse when braking around a corner...especially when moving 25-35 mph. However...the truck slows down fine..no problem stopping, just this "chatter"


When I go over 60 mph, I also get chatter. I would think that it is in the alignment, but it doesn't shake the steering wheel, it shakes the whole truck. (not too badly...not like braking)

Do I need to be doing a brake job, or looking at the alignment? The brakes LOOK ok, but I can't understand why it occurs during braking at all.

I own a 1974 F-250 Supercab. No evidence of any major collisions, the frame is straight.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks!

PAt

 

P,
Chattering is an unsusal word to describe a brake noise. Are you hearing a repitive clicking or scraping?
Is the steering whell shaking in your hand, and if so,:
1. All the time?
2. Just when you brake?
3. Just under power?
4. Just during a coast down?
If the steering wheel is shaking during braking then you could have a warped rotor. You could have wheel bearings out of adjustment.
If you get a chatter with no shake. You could have a bent backing plate. You could be missing a brake pad shims. That could get exciting!
If the whole vehicle shakes, not the steering wheel, you could have a brake drum out of balance.
Do you have an axle bearing going bad? Check the backing plates on your rear drums for gear lube leaking out of them. This problem would also be accompanied by poor braking performance and eventually a grinding noise from the rear axle bearings. As you step down on the break, the brakes will try and center the axle, it won't happen but all sorts of other things will!
Pardon me, I digress.
Check your pads for shims and check your wheel bearings for play.
My Way is the highway,
KingFisher

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Oct-02 AT 05:39 PM (EST)]first off.... your brake "chatter" is probably a good sign that your brake rotors and or drums need to be turned and might need new pads/ shoes. The shake you are gettin at 60 mph is a good sign that you need to have your tires balanced of might have a broken belt in one of the tires.. i am leaning more towards tire/wheel balance problem

so yes you need to do a brake job... have a reputable shop turn the rotors/ drums and check the pads/ shoes to see if they are wore out/
also as kingfisher suggested.. check you bearings while you are working right there anyhow..

then you need to take you truck to a good tire shop and have your tires balanced. it dont cost much and i am pretty sure that is your shake when you get to 60mph.

have fun.

 

Thanks Guys!