Steering wheel vibration and brake disks...
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Burning Brakes
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I gradually developed small vibration at the steering wheel at speeds above about 80 km/h. As I just swaped the tires into winter ones, I rule out wheels being off balance. I think it's the front disks that are too blame. They are worn out. Will turning the disks (at a shop) help? I have my doubts, as the disks are factory balanced, and this balance gets worse as the metal wear goes, and I can't get the balance checked.
FYI: I also get medium-strong steering wheel vibration upon braking from similar speeds.
Thanks.
FYI: I also get medium-strong steering wheel vibration upon braking from similar speeds.
Thanks.
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ok the tires still could be to blame if they were not high speed balanced. Ive had this before. The vibration in braking is usually a partially warped rotor. I would suggest new pads, rotors and see if it goes away, if not rebalance the tires...happens alot.
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Originally Posted by xsboost90
ok the tires still could be to blame if they were not high speed balanced. Ive had this before. The vibration in braking is usually a partially warped rotor. I would suggest new pads, rotors and see if it goes away, if not rebalance the tires...happens alot.
Your suggestion of using new rotors and pads is good, but I would much rather go for an economy solution, especially that I put new front pads recently. Does it make sense just to resurface the rotors, and keep the old (but rather new) pads?
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If your rotors are worn out, then they can't be turned. That is, they will be too thin to remove enough metal to make them smooth again. You might want to invest in a set of front rotors, they're not too expensive and stopping is real important.
BTW, early models without power steering seem to have a problem with the vibration. I suspect some suspension component wears quickly. AFAIK, no one ever really figured this out.
BTW, early models without power steering seem to have a problem with the vibration. I suspect some suspension component wears quickly. AFAIK, no one ever really figured this out.
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Bad rotors won't normally cause a vibration when not braking. If you want the 'economy solution' I would begin by inspecting the front suspension components, the steering, and the wheel bearings. Check for any slop or play. At 100k miles my inner tie-rods were worn and were causing steering wheel vibrations on the highway. I could turn the wheels slightly and see no movement in the rack it was so bad.
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Originally Posted by austin944
Bad rotors won't normally cause a vibration when not braking. If you want the 'economy solution' I would begin by inspecting the front suspension components, the steering, and the wheel bearings. Check for any slop or play. At 100k miles my inner tie-rods were worn and were causing steering wheel vibrations on the highway. I could turn the wheels slightly and see no movement in the rack it was so bad.
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Originally Posted by Stan944
If I get new rotors, is it necessary to get new pads too? I don't want to sound cheap, but I installed new ones less than 2 months ago.
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I thought I might post an update, since the solution turned out quite interesting:
I didn't get new nor had resurfaced the rotors. The front wheels developed a small amount of play in the bearings. I tightened the nut a bit, and the vibrations in the steering wheel are gone almost entirely. Both while cruising at speed, and when braking. It's been a month since I did it, and so far the problem haven't reappeared.
I didn't get new nor had resurfaced the rotors. The front wheels developed a small amount of play in the bearings. I tightened the nut a bit, and the vibrations in the steering wheel are gone almost entirely. Both while cruising at speed, and when braking. It's been a month since I did it, and so far the problem haven't reappeared.