Steering wheel shakes when braking...sometimes

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 02 Jun 2006, 05:07

My steering wheel will shake, and sometimes quite a lot, when braking. It doesn't do it everytime. The ball joints and tie rods are all good, rotors replaced fairly recently, just aligned, new tires. It seems to do it more when I am braking from say 45 mph versus 65 mph. Any ideas?

Post by **pfeener** » 02 Jun 2006, 05:49

How did you check the ball joints? Did you put a pry bar on the control arm or just check for play at 6 and 12 o'clock. I've seen wheel shake from worn ball joints that didn't show up with the 6 and 12 o'clock check. If not that, I'd do the rotors anyway; it's about all there is.

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 02 Jun 2006, 06:09

One ball joint is brand new, the other I checked with the pry bar and had the dealer double check it when they did the alignment. Sounds like I should get the rotors turned then. They were new a few months ago so there should be plenty of meat on them to turn.

Post by **pfeener** » 02 Jun 2006, 11:06

I would replace the pads as well. I had a Ford truck a few years ago that continually warped the rotors. The first time I just turned the rotors and it came back within a short time. I think the pads were generating too much friction and heat. After I changed out the pads all was well.

valis · Post by **valis** » 03 Jun 2006, 01:32

Have you had any problems with the ETM? Mine did that a couple thousand miles before it finally really kicked the bucket; it would shake almost like it was about to stall out on stops. I took it out, used some throttle cleaner on it, and it was a nice temporary fix.

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 03 Jun 2006, 04:16

No I have had no troubles with the ETM, in fact the engine runs great. It definitely feels like a steering/suspension/brakes issue. I am going to get the rotors turned and see if that does anything for me. Thanks for all of the input.

Post by **mom** » 03 Jun 2006, 05:31

valis wrote:Have you had any problems with the ETM? Mine did that a couple thousand miles before it finally really kicked the bucket; it would shake almost like it was about to stall out on stops. I took it out, used some throttle cleaner on it, and it was a nice temporary fix.

ETM began in 1999.