Steering wheel vibration when brakes applied

[hydromech]

When I apply brakes on highway my steering wheel (and the whole car) shaking like crazy

The vibration is worse on slight right turn, better when going straight and almost gone when slightly turning left.

It only happens on highway speed – above 65 MPH

I replaced rotors and pads – January 2009. All wheel alignment done two weeks ago – no loose suspension parts found. Lower control arms replaced recently…

What should I check – calipers maybe ?

Please help, saturnfans…

[ahimsa1]

My first guess is that your rotors have warped. If the replacement rotors you put on in 1/09 happened to be poor quality or defective, or if you have done a lot of riding the brakes downhill, that could have happened.

[AQuinn19]

I have been having the same problem. Tomorrow I am going to change the front pads/rotors. I just recentley did a complete brake job all the way around. I was getting no vibration or anything before replacing the pads and rotors, so I think I had a set of warped rotors. Would it be a good idea to check the balance of the tires as well.

[TXSaturn02]

Before you do ANYTHING, read this:

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml

[hydromech]

Thank you, friends for info.

I found that the caliper pin was not moving freely inside that pin bushing...I got new bushings from Saturn and replaced those old bushings. Also replaced pins (from NAPA). Now my calipers can move freely...

I returned my rotors back to AdvanceAuto for a waranty replacement. They accepted my claim without a question... (these rotors are 25% cheaper now)

*** The vibration was gone right away ***

Also found that my 10 month old "Duralast Gold" pads are very thin and uneven - took those back to AutoZone for warranty as well.

Now my brakes are 100% OK and there is no steering vibration at any speed

[AQuinn19]

Well I just got back from doing the front pads and rotors and the vibration is still there. Not sure what it is now. Could it be the wheels are out of balance. Could it be that the rears need to be clean and adjusted? When I have the engine off and pump the brakes you can hear a creaking noise coming from the rear. Could that be a sign that the rears need to be adjusted. They guy that did them(mechanic at my work), said that everything looked fine up towards the front. Steering components are good, did the shake of the tires and they were solid as a rock. Not sure what it could be now. HELP!!!

[Frankd1]

Did you try and adjust the rears as I mentioned in the other thread you posted in, it was a fairly detailed explanation for adjusting rear drums.
Remember: When you replace your front pads and rotors you need to adjust your rear drums, otherwise the job is only half done.

[AQuinn19]

I did not adjust them. I was also curious, could it maybe be a tie rod end or a hub bearing? What are some signs its a tie rod end. I noticed today that when I am braking, I hear a little squeak when slowing down. This is gettting annoying, its just I don't want to take it to a shop, they will charge me an arm and leg.

[topcat]

Originally Posted by AQuinn19

I did not adjust them. I was also curious, could it maybe be a tie rod end or a hub bearing? What are some signs its a tie rod end. I noticed today that when I am braking, I hear a little squeak when slowing down. This is gettting annoying, its just I don't want to take it to a shop, they will charge me an arm and leg.

A "HAT" type rotor is only as true as the surface, hub in this case, you mount it on.

[AQuinn19]

So do you think that I should replace the hub bearing. Would that really cause that much vibration while braking.