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My mechanic is pointing to the rear spring plates. Not too sure as to how these can cause vibration in my steering wheel. When I go the the extent to recondition/replace these, should I also recondition the rear-axle trailing arms? I had not expected this, as the problem seem to have started, after I had new tires installed. Perhaps the balancing/alignment has not been properly done at the tire store? I attach a photo of the spring plate and it seems the bushing is shot. Thanks for the input!
I think your mechanic is dead wrong. The spring plates may of may not be shot but either way they will not cause a feeling in the steering wheel. I find that if a problem develops after any work done on a car it is almost always related to that work. This is especially the case if you say the problem occurs with braking as you just replaced the pads and rotors. It’s not like the spring plates just suddenly got bad anyway. They have been slowly degrading but from what you describe the problem cam on noticeably in a short time.
shaking under braking and the steering wheel shakes it's your front brake rotors. my car was doing it in front and back and it was my rotors because the pads were hanging up in the calipers keeping the brakes dragging and warping the rotors. you can't feel this by turning your tires. have your mechanic put the rotors on a brake lath to check run out. I've been working on cars for 34 years so trust me check the front rotors.
It's not tire balance that whould be at speeds like 55mph and above. If it only under braking it's the brakes. If you were closer to me I would turn your rotors and show you. If you do get the rotors machined make sure your mechanic has good hub adapters for the brake lath. I have whats called hubless adapters for mine nice true cuts.
The fact that your steering wheel vibrates only when you brake could only be one of 3 things. Uneven brake deposits on the rotor, or rotor warp, or worn control arm. Unbalanced tires, out of round tires, rear end out of spec etc.... are all ruled out.
The fact that your steering wheel vibrates only when you brake could only be one of 3 things. Uneven brake deposits on the rotor, or rotor warp, or worn control arm. Unbalanced tires, out of round tires, rear end out of spec etc.... are all ruled out.
If this vibration feels in light braking only in steering wheel, i will bet for vorn bushings in trailing arm. If this feels in steering arm and brake pedal, it is mostly in rotors
or brake pads.
Front trailing arm bushings were previously replaced. The rotor does show some discolorization in the middle, probably caused by heat. After balancing the front tires this morning, the problem seems to be less. (right front wheel was off .5) Will take it for another spin and make sure. If there is still some vibrating, warped rotors seem the most obvious or perhaps uneven pad transfer, as was earlier noted by a Rennlister on this thread. Rotors were only a few months old...bought at Pelican...any recommendations for front rotors? Brand and where to buy?
I ordered the FVD spring plates with the hope that it will help further eliminate the vibration while braking.
Front mostly reduced now - tire balancing seems to have been the culprit, but the rear still vibrates somewhat.
After installment of these, alignment and hopefully that will be it? Other suggestions? Thanks!
My mechanic is pointing to the rear spring plates. Not too sure as to how these can cause vibration in my steering wheel.
Is it possible that you misinterpreted what your mechanic was saying? On the brake calipers there are spring plates that if warped, can and do cause vibration when braking.
I don't think so. I was present when he worked on the brakes and suspension and pointed out a shot rear spring plate. He also checked for rotor warp, but mentioned casting issues with the rotors may be the cause.
At any rate, I am installing the FvD spring plates and will align the car and hope this will be it.
the problem is your pads are hanging up on those spring plates witch gets the rotors hot and they warp. ask me how I know. just been down this road on mine. all fixed now. I removed the spring plates and cleaned under them reinstalled cut my rotors now braking in nice and smooth. every bake job I do I clean the caliper brackets and lube. I do 10 brake jobs a week
10-05-2019, 10:21 AM
Vibration while braking
