Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
If you replace the brakes and it doesn't fix it, then it is likely front control arm bushings or another front suspension component.
One thing the shop noted the last time I was there about 6 months ago was that "Front shock bump stops are deteriorating." Would that have anything to do with what I'm experiencing?
No. Bump stops are a rubber component located on the strut / shock shaft. They limit max. travel and provide cushion when the strut " bottoms ... " out over large sharp bumps. They will not create a shimmy or vibration under any condition.
99 % of the time a brake shimmy / shudder felt thru the steering wheel is caused by uneven pad deposits on the rotors, or uneven wear on the rotor caused by overheating.
This can be caused by something as simple as coming to a firm stop from medium or high speeds, and then keeping your foot on the brake pedal for the minute or so the light is red. The pads are screaming hot, and now being pressed against one part of the rotor, super heating it, and the pads.
New rotors will likely fix it, as would a light resurface / turning. Also, a change to a cheap metallic pad and some hard stops can scrub the rotors of any pad deposits.
With almost all modern cars being automatics, it seems like brake shudder is inevitable at some point in the brakes life.
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
If you replace the brakes and it doesn't fix it, then it is likely front control arm bushings or another front suspension component.
One thing the shop noted the last time I was there about 6 months ago was that "Front shock bump stops are deteriorating." Would that have anything to do with what I'm experiencing?
No. Bump stops are a rubber component located on the strut / shock shaft. They limit max. travel and provide cushion when the strut " bottoms ... " out over large sharp bumps. They will not create a shimmy or vibration under any condition.
99 % of the time a brake shimmy / shudder felt thru the steering wheel is caused by uneven pad deposits on the rotors, or uneven wear on the rotor caused by overheating.
This can be caused by something as simple as coming to a firm stop from medium or high speeds, and then keeping your foot on the brake pedal for the minute or so the light is red. The pads are screaming hot, and now being pressed against one part of the rotor, super heating it, and the pads.
New rotors will likely fix it, as would a light resurface / turning. Also, a change to a cheap metallic pad and some hard stops can scrub the rotors of any pad deposits.
With almost all modern cars being automatics, it seems like brake shudder is inevitable at some point in the brakes life.