Heavy Vibration When Braking...

[bdeftonez]

i have an '04 Silvy Ext Cab 2wd....

 

and ive been riding around with this problem for the past year and a half...

it really sucks...

 

:this is all on smooth paved roads:

when driving i can feel a slight vibration, you really have to concentrate to feel it..

but when i brake.. it just goes insane... it pulsates...

feeling like it goes good grip loose grip good grip loose grip etc.

this pulsating causes heavy vibrations at any speed...

there is no variation... so there is a loose grip good grip feel every rotation of the tire...

and ive isolated this coming from the front of the truck...

also there is no movement of the wheel or pulsating from the brake pedal braking or not...

 

things ive done with no results:

- replaced rotors this past summer (baer cross drilled)

- replaced pads this past summer (hawk performance pads)

- replaced shocks this past summer (bilstein heavy duty)

- getting new tires tomorrow but i doubt thats the problem

 

any suggestions of what it could be? its really killing me now... i hate driving now... and thats not how it should be....

 

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP in advance....

 

ill update if it changes with the new tires i ordered.... (doubtful :/)

[DofD]

While not braking, is there any variation in the vibration depending on speed?

 

I would suggest having your front suspension and wheel bearings looked at.

 

If was just during breaking I would think that the ABS system is being activated.

[Zembonez]

Pretty simple. It's in the rotating unit somewhere. If it isn't brakes, it's in the tires and wheels somewhere.

[gnet158]

Ask the tire shop to check all your front end suspension components (tie rods, coils springs, etc). You didn’t list your trucks mileage but something’s loose.

[bdeftonez]

yeah it never varies except in speed and strength of pulsation in conjuction with the actual speed of the truck...

it always feels like loose groop good grip for every rotation of the tire....

 

i was thinking of looking at the tie rods?

 

my mileage is 130,000....

 

yeah i know... shes a work truck and my cruising ride so shes got miles on her heh...

 

i forgot to mention i replaced the ABS housing and ball bearing on the front end in the winter...

but no results came out of it... i cant remember if it was done for my left or right side.....

[csheatz]

Sounds like a tire. That would be my guess!

[nbscanuck]

Do you have aftermarket rims? There is a lock washer on the wheel stud bolts that is put there in the factory to hold them in place while they put the wheel on. If you have a certain kind of rim, those washers are in the way and cause vibration issues. Remove those washers they are not needed.

[pm26]

A broken belt in a tire can cause all kinds of vibration and wobble, but it would be there all the time - not just when braking.

 

I would check for a bad front hub, worn out ball joints, bad bearings, or even badly warn tie rod end joints.

[bdeftonez]

i do have aftermarket rims..

they are 16 inch MB motoring RAZORS...

 

ill look out for those lock washers this friday when i put on my new tires...

thanks for head up on that

[gvbhunt]

5$ says it is a rod end....

 

That would explain why it gets worse during braking. It is pulling the tire outwards and causing uneven wear on the tires. Are they starting to cup on the inside edge?

[2000DV4.8]

Do you have aftermarket rims? There is a lock washer on the wheel stud bolts that is put there in the factory to hold them in place while they put the wheel on. If you have a certain kind of rim, those washers are in the way and cause vibration issues. Remove those washers they are not needed.

 

 

I'll put money on the washers.

[gvbhunt]

Do you have aftermarket rims? There is a lock washer on the wheel stud bolts that is put there in the factory to hold them in place while they put the wheel on. If you have a certain kind of rim, those washers are in the way and cause vibration issues. Remove those washers they are not needed.

 

 

I'll put money on the washers.

 

Bah, I must have missed that post about the aftermarket wheels while my slow a$$ was typing. But if it is not that, I still have my 5$ in on rod ends.

[tobias]

I am still amazed at how may tire shops either don't friggin' know this or do know this but don't say anything so they can sell more rotors and brake pads.

[seadoons]

Something in the front end or something with the ABS system. It should be a fun weekend for your wallet.

[mi.bowtie]

Have you replaced any U joints yet? At 130,00 miles, you should have had to change the joint at the rear axle. It will act like what you have described when bad.