Brake Rotors - Vibration?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Northern Illinois
Brake Rotors - Vibration?
I recently developed what I believe to be rotor warpage, as I apply the brakes I get a pulsating-shimmy. However, I also have a vibration at speeds above 70 mph that I thought was wheel balance. I had the wheels rebalanced and rotated and I still the same problem. So then I was wondering if the rotor warpage could also cause this vibration at speed. Anyone have any insight or experience with this kind of issue? Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 12
From: Billings, MT
THe rotors on the Super Dutys have a habit of warping. But the first thing to check would be retightening the lug nuts to spec, I think 150 ft lbs (correct me if I'm wrong). Not sure how many miles you have on yours, but I would look at replacing them with a quality rotor instead of getting them turned. On my Excursion, I've already had the rotors turned under warranty and they are warped again at 72K miles. So I will replace the front ones this spring instead of the hassle of putting up with warped rotors. And yes I did recheck the lug nuts, still wobbles......
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 0
From: Rural WV
Sounds like you have correctly diagnosed the issue. I would suspect bad brake rotors.
I've had to replace rotors on my wifes Taurus...both of them, the 4 dr and the Wagon but never on any of my trucks. That having been said, I too have an 03 Crew 4x4 with 42K on it. Yesterday towing about 6K I noticed I was getting the shimmy/pulsing. It was the first time I have towed that much and noticed the shimmy. Today, driving around town, I haven't noticed it.
Question 1: How many miles on yours?
Question 2: Were you towing at the time you noticed the shimmy?
I've had to replace rotors on my wifes Taurus...both of them, the 4 dr and the Wagon but never on any of my trucks. That having been said, I too have an 03 Crew 4x4 with 42K on it. Yesterday towing about 6K I noticed I was getting the shimmy/pulsing. It was the first time I have towed that much and noticed the shimmy. Today, driving around town, I haven't noticed it.
Question 1: How many miles on yours?
Question 2: Were you towing at the time you noticed the shimmy?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 101
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From: Northern Illinois
Originally Posted by msgtg
Sounds like you have correctly diagnosed the issue. I would suspect bad brake rotors.
I've had to replace rotors on my wifes Taurus...both of them, the 4 dr and the Wagon but never on any of my trucks. That having been said, I too have an 03 Crew 4x4 with 42K on it. Yesterday towing about 6K I noticed I was getting the shimmy/pulsing. It was the first time I have towed that much and noticed the shimmy. Today, driving around town, I haven't noticed it.
Question 1: How many miles on yours?
Question 2: Were you towing at the time you noticed the shimmy?
I've had to replace rotors on my wifes Taurus...both of them, the 4 dr and the Wagon but never on any of my trucks. That having been said, I too have an 03 Crew 4x4 with 42K on it. Yesterday towing about 6K I noticed I was getting the shimmy/pulsing. It was the first time I have towed that much and noticed the shimmy. Today, driving around town, I haven't noticed it.
Question 1: How many miles on yours?
Question 2: Were you towing at the time you noticed the shimmy?
I have 54k miles on the truck now.
I was not towing when I noticed it. It may have crept up on me. The last highway trip I had taken was in February and I did not notice any vibration at speed, nor do I remember the brake shimmy when stopping. Since then it was not until last weekend that I was on the highway at speeds above 72 mph that I noticed the vibration. I really didn't associate the rotor warpage with the vibration, but I know it's possible.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 0
From: Rural WV
I have a buddy of mine who's a GM Parts Manager. He actually ordered my last set of rotors for the wife's wagon. I wish I remembered the brand name, but he says that most of the newer OEM rotors are prone to warping. He recommended some brand that was aftermarket. Once I changed the rotors out, I never had any more problems.
That being said, that was the Taurus and I've NEVER had to change rotors in any of the trucks I've owned (2 F-150s & 3 Rangers) but the rotors on the 250 are now suspect to me.
That being said, that was the Taurus and I've NEVER had to change rotors in any of the trucks I've owned (2 F-150s & 3 Rangers) but the rotors on the 250 are now suspect to me.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 220
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From: Oxford, NC
I've got some nasty rotor warpage at ~94k on my 2001 F250. I was wondering what people recommend as the best replacement without go slotted-cyro at ~$150 a piece? Sorry if this is highjacking the thread, seemed relevant.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by juterbock
I've got some nasty rotor warpage at ~94k on my 2001 F250. I was wondering what people recommend as the best replacement without go slotted-cyro at ~$150 a piece? Sorry if this is highjacking the thread, seemed relevant.
Thanks,
Thanks,
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...lacement+Rotor
and Hawk LTS pads
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...ar=&perfCode=S
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Originally Posted by Biggziff
or the caliper is hanging
I know that you can't tell right off if a wheel bearing assy is bad, but with a little doodling you can't miss it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
You'll notice brake wear first when you try to stop a load, as in downhill while towing. As it gets worse, it'll become more noticeable(sp) during routine braking. At least that's how I noticed. I got ~50K miles with my OEM brakes.
Originally Posted by ottr1967
I have 54k miles on the truck now.
I was not towing when I noticed it. It may have crept up on me. The last highway trip I had taken was in February and I did not notice any vibration at speed, nor do I remember the brake shimmy when stopping. Since then it was not until last weekend that I was on the highway at speeds above 72 mph that I noticed the vibration. I really didn't associate the rotor warpage with the vibration, but I know it's possible.
I was not towing when I noticed it. It may have crept up on me. The last highway trip I had taken was in February and I did not notice any vibration at speed, nor do I remember the brake shimmy when stopping. Since then it was not until last weekend that I was on the highway at speeds above 72 mph that I noticed the vibration. I really didn't associate the rotor warpage with the vibration, but I know it's possible.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I've been through the same issues and in my case, it was caused by hung-up or seized caliper sliders. The seized caliper would put all the pressure on one side of the rotor and cause it to heat unevenly and warp.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
Originally Posted by percyad
I've been through the same issues and in my case, it was caused by hung-up or seized caliper sliders. The seized caliper would put all the pressure on one side of the rotor and cause it to heat unevenly and warp.