Front end shudder when brakes applied :(

[kenwin30]

hey guys, 99 toyota 4runner, v6, 155k, just put new rotors and pads on the front, drum brakes in the rear, sometimes when i come to a stop the front end wants to shudder. not all of the time, mostly on hard stops going at 45 mph+. i thought new rotors would fix this but its still there, my brake pedal is a little mushy too. with new pads and rotors what could be causing this shudder ?

 

[spasm3]

Worn suspension, wheel bearings could shudder. Sounds like brakes that need to be bled. Original brake lines? Change those too.

 

[kenwin30]

yea, all brake lines are original, would replacing all of the brake fluid be a good idea ?

 

[JosephHarmon]

If the brakes shudder apon application they have rotors that aer usually warped & need replacement or machine truing.

If you feel it in the steering wheel also the problem is in the front. Some times build up on the rotor surface will cause this. The rotors need to be checked for runout.

 

[chrome]

When you put on the new rotors on the hub, did you wire brush and cleaned out the mating surfaces? If you just slapped a new rotor on over a rusty and dirty hub, then the rotor will not spin true.

 

[wallyuwl]

Like Joseph said, if it is in the steering wheel it is a front end problem.

Bleed your brakes. If the lines aren't rusted no need to replace those, but the mushy pedal should be solved by bleeding the brakes.

 

[kenwin30]

could this shuddering and mushy pedal be caused by a bad master cylinder?

 

[JosephHarmon]

Vibration when braking would have nothing to do with a mushy peddle.

These are separate issues, totally unrelated.

 

[oilboy123]

Normally things that pulsate are things that go around. So if it happens while braking it's related to the brake part that's rotating like rotor or drum. First thing that comes to mind is the rotors warped, or something preventing the rotors from seating like chrome mentioned. Or maybe a hard spot on a rotor etc.

 

[marc1]

Originally Posted By: kenwin30
i thought new rotors would fix this


What quality level of rotor did you buy? Most jobber stuff is horrible now. My money is on garbage rotors.

 

[oilmaven]

Got to agree about the junk rotors out there. I have a high speed (over 60 mph)shudder/vibration in my Honda. The brake pedal effort can also be high sometimes (sorta comes and goes). I had all the rotors (4 wheel discs), pads and hardware replaced about 30,000 miles ago along with a full brake fluid flush. I made sure to get good pads (Akebono ceramic) but the rotors were the "better" ones from AAP. I suspect they're not as "better" as they claimed (counter guy said they had good luck with these rotors and that ALL of their rotors were made in China). It's not much of a problem because I tend to drive at lower speeds but I know something's not quite right and suspect the rotors.

 

[mattd]

if it only does it when braking, its not a front end issue. Brake issue only. Try using a different set of rotors.

 

[kenwin30]

yea, it does it when braking only and not all of the time, the rotors i used were the napa brand premium rotors ( $55 a piece) with hawk lts pads

 

[Whimsey]

I had my local mechanic replace my front brakes on my 2002 F-150 with Raybestos rotors and pads, his choosing. The pads held up fine the rotors rotted out on the inner side. I had the most annoying scrapping sound and eventually a shudder when stopping. I didn't even have 12,000 miles on the brakes when I had them replaced at the Ford dealer with Motorcraft parts. Now all is quiet and smooth when stopping & driving. My now EX mechanic could find nothing wrong

.

Whimsey

 

[mattd]

make sure the hubs are clean. If the rotor does not have a clean, flat surface to rest on, then it could cause a pulsation. Usually napa rotors are pretty good, but it is still possible. Does your truck have the 4 piston calipers and pads that slide in/out?

 

[mechtech2]

Worn suspension parts ALLOW vibration to be magnified.
But they are not producers.
You may indeed have a few loose parts in the front end.

Warped rotors or uneven pad deposition can cause shudder.

How good was the brake job? Everything cleaned and greased? Clean the new rotors well? Maybe the pads are not seated yet.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

My money would be on rust/dirt between the rotor and hub. It does not take much to cause that feeling in the pedal.

Take the rotors back off and clean the bejeebers outta the mating surface. I smear a light coating of never-seize over the area once cleaned to slow future corrosion buildups.

 

[kenwin30]

dont feel the shudder in the pedal guys, just the front end itself

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I just had steering wheel vibration after new rotors and pads were installed. I switched out the rotors and problem was solved. I only noticed this at higher speed braking. I also cleaned the hub well to prevent run out. Per Raybestos I cleaned the rotors with dish soap before installing. All is well now.