So I just changed my front brake pads on my 2000 Ford Ranger. after completion the truck brakes fine the only new occurance is that the steering wheel and wheels shudder slightly when I turn right. A buddy said there might be a slight hard spot in the rotor and it just needs turned. He also said I can drive on it just fine for the time being since it will be going into storage in about 2 months and then get it taken care of after I get back from my deployment. Thanks for the help Michael

 

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Welcome to FTE's Ranger forum Michael.

Does it shudder when you turn right, without braking, or does it only happen when braking & only when turning right????

Did you have the problem, or even a hint of it, before the brake job????

Might be helpful to know more about the truck, like mileage, 4x2 or 4x4, engine, tranny, regular or super cab, have you up sized the tires, or wheels, or made any other front end changes, or repairs before this began????

Have you had any power steering problems lately, like feeling a "shudder" in the steering wheel when moving it off center????

 

it is a 4x2 3.0l v6 2000 xlt supercab with 36k miles up until the brake job it ran like a dream changed the pads after a slight squeak appeared. Come to think of it the problem only happens in a braking right hand turn only. Never had any problems with power steering or anything. The truck spent about 2-3 years in storage then I shipped it here to Germany it has been running good for the past 8 months.

 

OK, good feedback on all the info.

With only 36K on it, wear of front end parts, ect, probably aren't part of this equation.

I suppose excessive wheel bearing play could possibly play a role, so I'd check that, along with properly torquing up the wheel lug nuts, in the correct sequence & to the proper torque value.

I set mine to the lower side of the torque spec. & I do it in three tightening sequences, to ease the lug nuts up to the finish torque, less likely to warp a rotor that way IMO.

What I'm thinking here, is maybe the lug nuts weren't torqued up properly such that they've slightly warped one of more of the front rotors & or maybe if you have a little too much play in one or both the wheel bearings, all that with the new pads, have added up.

Not saying your friends idea isn't correct, just tossing out some more thoughts for consideration, based on other things that have happened to me, or I've heard about, over the years.

The reason I'd ask about the P/S & if you had noticed any "shudder" when steering off center, without break application, last fall my 99 Ranger's P/S developed a off center steering shudder that closely fit your description of what it feels like.

As a side note, with the truck in storage that long, be sure to have all the fluids changed, or at least do it before you put her back in storage for your upcoming deployment.

Let us know what you find.

 

Rotors are pretty cheap. If you suspect warpage, buy some new ones, it will hardly cost you much more than having them turned.

Did you clean and re-grease the caliper slide pins when you changed the pads? You don't want any sticky calipers, they like to make noise and warp rotors.

 

I'm thinking either the "hard spot", or the rotor is dirty/warped (warped would shudder during ANY braking, dirty would be something causing the pads to "grab" a particular spot on the rotor), or the bearing(s) is/are loose. The only other problem might be in the tie rods... but doubtful.

 

Check to see if the bearings are loose first.

I had the front brakes done last fall, and the right bearing was a little bit loose. I just snugged it up slightly, and it was better.