Braking Shudder

[MABurns]

I recently had my brake pads changed and rotors turned and now I have a shudder when braking. Anybody have a similar problem? Possible warped rotor? Thanks

 

[socal_rattler]

I would agree that the rotors got warped somehow. My wife's BMW Z3 had a similar problem with two different sets of rotors that turned out to be warped. They were fine at first, but after some miles, started shuddering when braking... BMW confirmed warping and replaced under warranty.

 

[Challenger-II]

Did you or the installer just adjust your rear brakes?? These beasts need to have them adjusted frequently and many dont do it. When they are finally adjusted people experience shudder in the truck, not the pedal. This can be tied to out of round rear drums. When you adjust up the rear brakes, you are using them more and it becomes very apparent... . especially in the 20 -25 mph braking speed. If it is the rotors, you will find that the pedal pulsates. I had the very same thing happen.

 

[BC]

Two other questions, MA: Did you have the rotors turned while they were on the truck or were they removed and then turned? When your front brakes were redone were the calipers cleaned and greased?



Challenger is right on about the rear brakes. I did (actually a brake mechanic) my brakes (and replaced the brake fluid as well) two weeks ago. My rear brakes were so out of adjustment, that when I was doing 35mph and put the truck into neutral, then stomped on the emergency brakes, nothing happened. It would take 400 feet to stop. So adjust those rears.



Bill Cook

 

[MidwestMotorman]

out of round

You can also tell if the rears are out of round by driving about 35mph, press clutch if manual, let off throttle, and lightly start to push the e-brake pedal. As the pedal passes each click, you should start to feel some drag. If you feel a surging, or shuddering, then you know the rear drums are out of round.

 

[WestTN]

brake shudder

It is possible the shop did not seat the rotor correctly on the lathe and turned it crooked.

 

[MABurns]

I could not find a shop with an on the car brake lathe that could do my truck (most said it was to big), so the shop removed the rotors to do it. As far as the rear, they where cleaned and adjusted. It really does feel like it is coming from the front brakes because i can "feel" it in the steering wheel too.

 

[BC]

MA, I think the problem may be that the rotors were removed and turned vs turned while on the truck.



Do a search about turning rotors. Lots of good info on the subject in past threads.



I had to go to the Dodge dealer to have my rotors turned properly. Even the service manual says to turn the rotors while attached to the truck.



Hope this helps.



Bill Cook

 

[Extreme1]

Rotors are cut wrong!

The on car brake lathe set up isn't too expensive. Call around, you should be able to find a place nearby, I've been to and can say they are around.



Seriously, go back to the place that cut them, have them check with a dial indicator to see which one is bad (watch them) and get your money back. Go to a place that can cut them on the truck.



This assumes you have a 4x4. Your signature doesn't give that aspect of your truck. A 2x4 should be able to be done on a lathe.

 

[BC]

Extreme1 has a great point that I missed. Turning the rotors while they are on the truck is for 4x4s. I just assumed. Opps!



Thanks, Extreme1.



Bill Cook

 

[Hammer]

Any of the above items will cause the problems you are having,but,one item I see not mentioned in this post is also critical,,Since you have had the rotors removed and turned and everything reassembled,,Did the wheels get torqued properly upon reinstallation??,,Even if the rotors were CORRECTLY turned and are installed properly a improprerly torqued wheel will also lead to the problems you are having by allowing the rotor to warp itself again,,It is very possible for it to happen as soon as the truck is driven and any heat is allowed to build in the rotors,,I'd check them for out of round and if need be re-turn them and torque them to proper specs