help with Brake Question
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Eagle River, AK
help with Brake Question
I have a 99 F-350 4x4 with PwrSTroke and when step on the brakes there is a shutter/shimmy in the pedal and front end. what can be done to fix this or what is it. Have stock wheels and tires on it
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
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From: NE Texas
Do you use tire foam? If so, you probably have gotten a little on a brake rotor. It will cause this problem and often will get worse because only part of the rotor is doing any braking, meaning that only part of the rotor gets hot causing warpage.
Raise the front wheels off the ground and without stepping on the brake pedal, spin the front wheels. You should feel even resistance all around as you spin. If not, then it is likely that the rotors need turning or replacing. Do not turn them thinner than the thickness specification cast into the rotor.
Raise the front wheels off the ground and without stepping on the brake pedal, spin the front wheels. You should feel even resistance all around as you spin. If not, then it is likely that the rotors need turning or replacing. Do not turn them thinner than the thickness specification cast into the rotor.
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18
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Turning Rotors?
This is an old post, but I am having the save issues.
2002 F350 Super Duty Dually.
I know that I heated the brakes up while I was towing out of LA. When I apply the brakes the front end starts to shimmy. Really bad sometimes. Anyway the dealer says I need to replace the rotors as well as the calipers. Over $800. I pulled the front wheels and spun the rotors with a screwdriver close to the surface to see how bad they were warped. Didn't see anything. Both front rotors looked very true to me.
My question is, how much warpage would cause this shimmy when I'm on the brakes and if it doesn't look that bad, could they be turned and with new pads be OK?
Thanks for the help.
2002 F350 Super Duty Dually.
I know that I heated the brakes up while I was towing out of LA. When I apply the brakes the front end starts to shimmy. Really bad sometimes. Anyway the dealer says I need to replace the rotors as well as the calipers. Over $800. I pulled the front wheels and spun the rotors with a screwdriver close to the surface to see how bad they were warped. Didn't see anything. Both front rotors looked very true to me.
My question is, how much warpage would cause this shimmy when I'm on the brakes and if it doesn't look that bad, could they be turned and with new pads be OK?
Thanks for the help.
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I know what you are talking about. There is a slight pulsing, but not bad. It is more a shimmy when you are braking. If your going fast and have to brake hard or brake while going down a hill you really have to hold on to the steering wheel or it's going to shake right out of your hands. If you brake easy, you hardly notice anything.
My issue is that I tow a car trailer. With that load I really get things shaking when I'm braking.
My issue is that I tow a car trailer. With that load I really get things shaking when I'm braking.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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Even a slight pulsing of the pedal would suggest some warping of the rotors. If the front rotors are even slightly warped it could cause your shimmy problem. However you have rear rotors as well so it is possible that the pedal pulse is coming from there.
I think, if it was me, I would get the front rotors turned. Reman calipers for your truck are around $50.00 each so unless there was signs of very different pad wear between the left wheel and the right wheel or you thought the front brakes were dragging I would not be inclined to change them. But for around $100.00 it might be nice to be starting again with good rotors and calipers. Up to you.
I would also have a look for any play in front suspension and steering joints/bushes.
I think, if it was me, I would get the front rotors turned. Reman calipers for your truck are around $50.00 each so unless there was signs of very different pad wear between the left wheel and the right wheel or you thought the front brakes were dragging I would not be inclined to change them. But for around $100.00 it might be nice to be starting again with good rotors and calipers. Up to you.
I would also have a look for any play in front suspension and steering joints/bushes.
