05 2500hd Shaking While Braking

[pshaver8]

My 2005 2500HD started shaking while braking a couple of weeks ago so I figured it was just warped rotors, but after putting new pads and rotors on this weekend it still does it. Its not consistent either, some stops it barely shakes at all and other times its horrible. The wheel bearings seemed good and it doesn't shake or do anything abnormal while driving, only while braking. I'm not sure what else could be causing this.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[ChevyTech77]

Did you replace all four brake rotors or just the fronts? The rear brake rotors can cause a pulsation also.

[pshaver8]

I only did the fronts

[ChevyTech77]

Sounds like it is time to do the rears then as well.

[pshaver8]

Is it common for the rear rotors to warp?

[ChevyTech77]

That or have excessive thickness variation due to rust build up, yes.

[[email protected]]

All four rotors had to be turned on my 2005 2500HD Crew Cab - at 36,000 miles.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[vucelick]

If you ever accidentally left the parking brake on and drove a little while you can warp them easily.

[ChevyTech77]

If you ever accidentally left the parking brake on and drove a little while you can warp them easily.

Incorrect. The rear parking brake system on these trucks is a drum-in-hat design whereas the brake caliper doesn't do a thing when the parking brake is applied therefore, the rotor cannot be warped by the parking brake being on.

[Doug_Scott]

If you ever accidentally left the parking brake on and drove a little while you can warp them easily.

Incorrect. The rear parking brake system on these trucks is a drum-in-hat design whereas the brake caliper doesn't do a thing when the parking brake is applied therefore, the rotor cannot be warped by the parking brake being on.

 

 

And that makes it hard to test the rear for being the culprit. We used to just apply the parking brake while driving to see if it vibrated in the old days. Now you have to remove the rear wheels, put the nuts back on and torque them down, and use a dial gauge to test for runout.

Since the fronts have been replaces already and it made no difference in vibration when braking, it pretty much has to be the rear rotors. That is the problem with just throwing money at something, you almost always do the wrong end first.

[akram]

Has anybody been able to track down the infamous brake shake? I've got an 07 2500 classic with 34K that I just bought and it has a brake shake that appears only under light braking, when you get on them harder it's smooth. I just change the front rotors only, no pads, and the shake it still there under light braking pressure. I have't change the rears, but before I throw more money has anyone fixed this problem?

[akram]

FYI: After changing the front rotors I changed the rears and that solved my problem..

[whitetrashpunk71]

Im having shaking problems with my 03 GMC 2500HD but its only the front left. I blew two brake lines this summer so I replaced them all, new front rotors and pads. Still shaking when I use the brakes. I felt a little play in the hub, replaced that this past weekend, still shaking. When I say shaking it feels like the abs is hammering that one wheel harder then hell. Its also making noise like its really torqueing everything under there pretty good. Anyone have any ideas?

[Gomore]

Your caliper(s) might not be releasing. The light duty trucks have caliper pistons made of composite material instead of metal. According to my brake guy the composite material will absorb brake fluid and deteriorate. Don't know about the 2500s. After changing pads and turning the rotors, both rear wheels semi-locked and the truck shook like the wheels were coming off. New calipers fixed it. In my case I used a C clamp to compress the piston so the caliper would fit around the new pads. They didn't like that.