Steering wheel rattles when braking (could it really be warp)

[Whelan]

They are powerslot rotors with Stillen pads. I have used this setup on my last two cars with absolutely no problem. It is around the time I usually replace them and I think I am going to go with a different pad setup. But the question is, can pads cause wheel shake or is the only cause warped rotors. I am at a loss of words cause again, never ever had this issue with powerslots before and I do not drive any differently than in my other cars. OK actually I drive slower but still. Any ideas or suggestions?

[ehoff121]

I'm watching this thread 'cause I have a similar issue with the stock rotors on my 2005 AWD.Apparently, the front rotors were replaced under warranty at around 7,500 miles (bot it used; brought it to a dealer to get it looked over and the mechanic printed a copy of the history). I also feel minor vibration over 60 mph without the brake, even though I had the tires balanced and rotated 3,500 miles ago.I was thinking about investing in PowerSlot cryo's to solve my brake vibration at highway speed. What are you thinking for pads?

[ToolGuy]

How are your tires? Are they in balance or need of replacement?

[Digger]

Could be the roters. Do you torque your lugs when rotating the tieres? Uneven torque on the lugs can cause the rotors to warp.

[Sublimewind]

Could be tires, go get the balence checked it's cheap, could be lack of torquing the lugs, possible, not overly probible "cause". It could be a lot of things... it could be mud on the inside of a wheel.. (or snow..lol) start with the simple and cheap, work your way out...

[Whelan]

Well I can definitely say the brakes feel like they are a little weaker, not sure if its from warp or the wheel balance.I am going to get a balance/rotate done since it is almost due for one anways. My main concern is the brakes because now like before there is a prominent scrape noise coming from the front right wheel. It comes and goes, and when I make right turns it seems to go away. So it makes me think that the wheel is not set right. I will go at lunch for the balance/rotate and let you know what happens.

[Kamikaze]

only reason why I don't think it's a tire balance issue is you should have a shake all the time... Not just when braking, or going straight...if it was tire balance you would also have the vibration at just about any speed, more noticable at low speed. You could try rotating the tires front to back to see if the front still does all the same things... that would rule out the balance of the tires, and it wouldn't cost you anything but the time to do so...does the steering vibrate even when just slowing down w/o applying the brakes?

[Whelan]

Just got back from the Midas around the corner from my office. Had them do a rotate and rebalance. The squeak scraping is gone so I think it was a balancing issue cause now my wheel is much straighter as well.As for the brakes, they need replacing, the powerslots have hot spots on them so I may just replace them with Brembo blanks and some decent pads.As for the wheel shimmy, it seems to have gone away or at least become very minimal. I will have a better idea when I drive home.

[ToolGuy]

My Corvette had a shimmy when I braked on the highway. I thought it was brakes myself until last summer on the dyno the tech said there was a shimmy from the rear and then it went away at higher speeds. Well thie helped of course narrow it down to the tires. Had the rears balanced and all went away!

[Sublimewind]

If you have hot spots on your rotors they are almost surely warped.. Have them turned and see what happens, do you remember that post I made about the odd noise while braking? Turned out to be a nearly seized slider pin in the front right caliper.. this could be the same..

[ehoff121]

Quote, originally posted by ehoff121 »I'm watching this thread 'cause I have a similar issue with the stock rotors on my 2005 AWD.Apparently, the front rotors were replaced under warranty at around 7,500 miles (bot it used; brought it to a dealer to get it looked over and the mechanic printed a copy of the history). I also feel minor vibration over 60 mph without the brake, even though I had the tires balanced and rotated 3,500 miles ago.I was thinking about investing in PowerSlot cryo's to solve my brake vibration at highway speed. What are you thinking for pads?Follow up:Took it to Firestone Auto Care to get balance and rotation @ 35,000. Made sure the mechanic torqued to 76 ft. lbs. when he put the wheels back on. While I was there, they had a service special of lifetime alignment for $139, meaning you can bring it in as often as you want. They did find both front wheels had excessive toe-in and corrected it.Haven't really had a chance to open it up on the highway, but there is a noticeable improvement during hi speed driving and braking doesn't vibrate the wheel as much anymore.