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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!