Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

shimmy while braking

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 10:22 PM
  #1  
FordMan35's Avatar
FordMan35
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Club FTE Silver Member

shimmy while braking

I have a slight shimmy in the steering wheel when braking. Anyone have any thought on what could be causing this? I'm thinking rotors but looking for some other ideas.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 10:24 PM
  #2  
liv's Avatar
liv
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City/Breckenridge
Rotors, Seized caliper, seized caliper pins, ball joints, tie rods.

Check em all
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 10:31 PM
  #3  
FordMan35's Avatar
FordMan35
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Club FTE Silver Member

what's a good way to check the calipers, and tie rods? I have a pretty good idea on what to check with the ball joints.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 10:35 PM
  #4  
liv's Avatar
liv
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City/Breckenridge
Let me google that for you

Sorry to be a smart *** I have just had an urge to use that site for a little bit.

As for calipers. You'll know if it's seized when you try and compress the piston back in. After 5 years your pins need to be relubed, preferably replaced. They are pretty cheap.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 10:57 PM
  #5  
FordMan35's Avatar
FordMan35
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Club FTE Silver Member

Thanks for the input.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 02:11 AM
  #6  
John Diem's Avatar
John Diem
Tuned
15 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Castalian Springs tn
you were thinking right rotors
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 11:17 AM
  #7  
brian42's Avatar
brian42
Lead Driver
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
If it only happens when you are braking and the steering wheel is shimmying back and forth, then you most likely have at least one warped rotor. This is not uncommon on Ford trucks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 03:36 PM
  #8  
mwsF250's Avatar
mwsF250
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Definitely check the rotors. But if they are OK, then it could be just about ANYTHING in the front suspension and steering.

When you apply the brakes, the front axle encounters pretty strong twisting forces as the calipers try to rotate with the rotors. That will cause any loose components to move, and amplify any alignment issues.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 08:50 PM
  #9  
FordMan35's Avatar
FordMan35
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Club FTE Silver Member

The shimmy or vibration I have only noticed somtimes when braking at high speed. Say from 70 down to 55 and then it seems to stop. I will somtimes feel a little vibration through the wheel when driving, but I think that might just be from the crapy roads around here.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 08:59 PM
  #10  
gearloose1's Avatar
gearloose1
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Check front suspension for wear.. ball joints, etc.

Then check rotor for runout... see if all 4 are within spec..

Then check calipers for binding.. etc.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 09:19 PM
  #11  
mytbtruck's Avatar
mytbtruck
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 3
From: Sandy Run SC
Check your tire pressure . All the vans I drove at work would shimmy when you applied the brakes if you needed new pads and rotors turned or replaced. Low tire pressure would also cause shimmy. I am sure you checked but just a reminder.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 11:41 PM
  #12  
TennesseeMustangPerf's Avatar
TennesseeMustangPerf
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
Another vote for rotors. They can be turned for around $20. If the issues lessens when you brake hard, it is a definite sign of a warped rotor.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2010 | 12:17 AM
  #13  
rayrayyj's Avatar
rayrayyj
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
I have the exact same issue, only feel the vibs when braking around 70-55 or so, high speeds...but when I'm braking from say 40 down I notice nothing. I have new almost everyting up front but I didn't change rotors, only had them turned. Plus, I put new cheapo rotors on the rear so I'm wondering if they already crapped out.

My vote is rotors and at this point I plan to change them out, maybe the same time I put the new Ranchos on.

Seems I tore into this thing and now everything wants replacin!
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2010 | 11:37 AM
  #14  
TennesseeMustangPerf's Avatar
TennesseeMustangPerf
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
Ray, do you feel the rear end shaking or can you feel it in the steering wheel?
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2010 | 12:08 PM
  #15  
rayrayyj's Avatar
rayrayyj
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
I feel it in the steering wheel, but only when braking at high speed...shakes the whole front of the truck really.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:39 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE