2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front end wiggle

[Djowell]

Does anyone now why my 96 2500 AT truck shimmy's when the brakes are applied. 148k miles. I was able to determine it is the front brakes not the rear by using the emergency brakes with no shimmy at all. Then apply all brakes and here we go. Steering wheel moves and the truck vibrates all over. Help!

 

[drrhoades]

Warped Rotors. Check the runout with a dial indicator.

 

[Djowell]

Originally posted by drhoades

Warped Rotors. Check the runout with a dial indicator.

What causes the rotors to go bad?

 

[fox]

Some vehicles do this because of small calipers, so do it by driver braking habits.

For example ,

If you pull a trailer without brakes and stop hard it can be a factor. When I stop hard I always let the truck roll forward 2-3 feet to distribute the heat on the pads to the oppisite side of the rotor. Seems to work for me.



BTW, I won't hook onto a trailer tha tdoesn't have brakes that work.

Some drivers cal warp rotors in a few days.

 

[Djowell]

OK, but I never tow anything. Just drive the Vermont dirt roads and on then around my farm etc. A couple times a year I travel to NY and NJ to see my children and grandchildren.

 

[rrausch]

The brake-rotor-wiggle is a strange thing.



On my '95 2500, I've got 144,000 miles on my original rotors and they are as straight and true as can be. I've put it through many pedal-down, hard stops.



On my Mom's 85 Monte Carlo, the rotors began to warp at about 45,000 miles, and the second set have also warped!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Over torquing or impact wrenching wheels on can warp rotors also. Very hard to find someone that will torque the lug nuts when you get new tires. A stuck caliper causing hot rotors will warp them also. My old first gen use to warp them a little every once in a while, luckily you could turn them down about 20 times, the calipers are notorious for sticking on the first gen trucks.

 

[Djowell]

I had all new rotors and brakes done my my local Dodge Dealer 35k ago (3/02) Is there a better place to go for brake work here in Vermont and do I have to use Dodge stock Rotors? Tires have been on for 50k

 

[rrausch]

There are some serious, pricey after-market brake places which sell rotors, rear disk conversions, super-duper pads etc. etc. Some guys swear by them. I would like to get some, but haven't yet.



As far as taking your truck to the dealer, D/C specifies that the rotors be turned while on the truck, and I believe dealers know that and do it, while most brake places don't or can't do it that way.

 

[Djowell]

Thanks for the information. Time to make a decision.

 

[scotmartin]

Originally posted by rrausch

As far as taking your truck to the dealer, D/C specifies that the rotors be turned while on the truck, and I believe dealers know that and do it, while most brake places don't or can't do it that way.

Most good brake shops, will have an "On Car" lathe. That's what I have used on both of my trucks. Fortunately, we have one at the school, where I work.



Scot