(Brake calipers, "death wobble?", shaky steering) Please help!! My baby is sick!!!! :(

[swshawaii]

The truth is, I have a power steering leak as it stands... for ages! I top off my PS fluid once or twice a month because of a slow leak on my power steering rack...

I turned the key on so that the wheel would unlock, and turned the wheel completely to one side to give me better access to the caliper. When I did this, an ugly noise was heard and a whole lot of PS fluid shot out of one of the hoses at the base....

^ This should be a MAJOR concern. Leaking power steering hose will suck air.

Did you top off the power steering fluid reservoir before doing the maneuver to purge the air?

Did you? Also, has your front alignment been checked?

 

[MistahYebba]

^ This should be a MAJOR concern. Leaking power steering hose will suck air.

It's leaking from the rack, not the hoses (to the best of my knowledge). I replaced the hoses already at one point because they were leaking, and looks like the leak found its way to the rack. Not sure how involved a rack repair is...

But here's a tad update. I told you that this morning after sitting overnight, the steering wheel shaking was barely noticeable and I drove to work.

Well, my girlfriend (who is well aware of the problem and is driving carefully) has updated me that the steering wheel shake has come back and is shaking badly again like it was last night.

This means that whatever the issue is, can be intermittent.

Did you?

No, I did not top it off; I mentioned I brought a bottle along to fill it up in case I lost any while doing the maneuver, but i know how my power steering feels when it's low on fluid, and it's not currently. Should I top it off? Will this maximize pressure for the maneuver?

 

[MistahYebba]

^ This should be a MAJOR concern. Leaking power steering hose will suck air.

Did you? Also, has your front alignment been checked?

My front alignment is a mess. Before replacing my calipers and pads, meaning as soon as last week, when everything was pretty good, my only real issue with my Ex was the alignment.

I basically have to drive with the steering wheel 20 degrees to the left to drive straight. However, I was just dealing with that issue....

How could putting on new calipers and pads make the alignment worse or more noticeable? If every part stays exactly the same except now I just have newer calipers and pads, I don't get how so much could have changed.

 

[1991 sploder]

Take it into pep boys they will do a free diagnosis this thread is all over the place let us know what it really is.

 

[timtimtimajim]

It's leaking from the rack

Just to clarify first gen Explorers do not have steering racks. They have steering gear boxes. The issue you are having could be power steering related if there is air in the system. Turning the wheels side to side with the vehicle off will cause air to get in the system and so will a leak in the system anywhere.

The pulling to the left like that could be a couple things. You could have a sticking caliper on the driver side along with a warped rotor which can cause that wobbling in the steering wheel. Or if you're 4x4 the hub on the driver side could be locked in. Or it could be a combination of the two.

In my opinion the clicking could be a bad wheel bearing or even possibly a bad u joint in the front axle. Or possibly, and I know this sounds odd but bear with me, a caliper pin sticking out rubbing on the back of your wheel. Had this happen on my buddy's 89 S15 Jimmy. He lost a caliper pin spacer (different design than what's on our Explorers) and the pin ended up working it's way to far in and rubbing on the back of the wheel. So maybe you have a caliper pin that is not all the way in? Just a thought.

Though I don't usually recommend this (because I don't trust mechanics) take it somewhere to have it looked at. There seems to be a lot of different issues happening at once and a lot of uncertainty about them that you may be better off taking it to somebody with a little more experience.

 

[MistahYebba]

Hey all;

Want to start by saying thanks so much for your patience and reading through my issues to try and help me.

I know I've said a lot of different things which can be overwhelming, so I want to lay out what I believe to be the main causing factor(s).

Let's rewind to a week before I changed the calipers and brake pads.

At this point, my Ex ran pretty well. The only issues it had were (not counting unimportant issues):

1. Alignment was off center. I had to hold the steering wheel 20 degrees left to drive straight. I was used to this.

2. A "click" in my front left tire that I could feel in the brake pedal. The click would happen every time I turned left and applied slight brake pressure to pull into my parking spot at home. It was quiet and not too concerning.

3. ***WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE CORE OF ALL MY ISSUES*** I had to stop suddenly one day a couple weeks ago because someone in front of me did. It came to a stop pretty well, but just a SPLIT SECOND before coming to a COMPLETE stop, the feeling is hard to describe.

It's like a grind/clunk, and feels as if one of my front tires is literally turning sideways.

In other words, all the weight and pressure that is put on the brakes and tires when coming to a complete stop; something can't take the pressure any more and gives out, causing my tire to "turn sideways".

Now, once again, I cannot actually see my tire, so maybe the tire itself stays straight, but this is just the way it FEELS.

Are there any brake, suspension, or wheel components that come to mind? Something that might "give out" when you come to a sudden screeching stop, that feel like it could make your tire pop off, or crunch underneath your car??

Also, keep in mind that same part could also be the part making my steering wheel shake, and that causes the "knock" I am hearing and feeling in the brake pedal; even when no brakes are being applied.

 

[swshawaii]

Take it into pep boys they will do a free diagnosis this thread is all over the place let us know what it really is.

Though I don't usually recommend this (because I don't trust mechanics) take it somewhere to have it looked at. There seems to be a lot of different issues happening at once and a lot of uncertainty about them that you may be better off taking it to somebody with a little more experience.

+3. 'Nuff said.

 

[2stroke]

This sounds a lot like your previous thread. I stated radius arm bushing, and if that is what really flew off when you hit that pot hole, it would cause most of the things you are seeing. It would pull to the side when driving, it would clunk bad when braking or going over bumps, and you would feel the wheels shift in turns. I don't think you would get a bad wobble from going straight, but I'm sure it wouldn't help. Do a search on here for radius arm bushings, I'm pretty sure its the same for 4x4 or 2x4. Or if you simply can't, do as others say, and have someone check it out for free.

 

[swshawaii]

^ 10/27/15

Yet another problem; front end suspension, shocks, or ball joints

 

[1991 sploder]

It's like a grind/clunk, and feels as if one of my front tires is literally turning sideways.

 

[92exp4x4]

There are way to many questions. The symptoms you describe can be caused by so many different calamities.

The steering issue you have, has got to be a mechanical problem. Air in the PS will only cause hard steering because of loss of pressure and lack of assist. The steering itself is mechanical and unless it's extremely worn (box), will not have that kind of play because of air in the fluid. Depending how your truck is built, many factors can contribute to your problem. Is your truck 4x4? Did you check the suspension bushings? Do the tires have any bulges or damage? Tie rod ends, ball joints, links, pitman arm, steering box mounting and shaft? All these can contribute to slop and subsequent shake in the steering. You really should inspect the suspension very closely. Get a pry bar and test everything for slop.

At very least take pics and post them. We may be able to see something you are overlooking. It's great describing the feel of your truck, but it's very difficult for us to pinpoint an issue by how the truck feels. Many symptoms can be caused by multiple issues. Most of the time death wobble is caused by the caster and camber angles being out of spec.

 

[MistahYebba]

^ 10/27/15

Yet another problem; front end suspension, shocks, or ball joints

Hi everyone...

Yes, I am aware it sounds like my old post, but I can't stress enough that last Friday, the day before I changed my calipers and brake pads, the truck was pretty close to perfect for me....... besides alignment... and maybe some weird brake skip when stopping really suddenly.

Today I did more vigorous "wiggle tests" and eye examinations and NOTHING moves, nothing seems out of place....

Yet still, when driving, especially when slighting left, that knock is just killling me. It sounds like someone banging on a door

I got two new front tires thinking MAYBE just MAYBE I would have a hint of good luck (thinking spontaneous tread seperation, even though my tires have been perfect) but had no luck.

I tried spinning the tire by hand that makes the knocking sound while it was jacked up but could not recreate the knocking sound....maybe I can't spin it as fast as it's spinning when I'm going 40 haha...

The most interesting thing I discovered today is, with the tire off, the rotor spins freely with no brakes applied (as it should)...

I had my girlfriend turn the engine on and press on the brakes and obviously I could not spin the rotor, but when she let off of the brakes, i could barely spin the rotor!!!

I said "hey!! Let off of the brake" and she wasn't even pressing it!

I wonder if the caliper is sticking on the side that is knocking.... but why?!!! It's brand new!

Could one side braking and another side not braking be a potential cause of steering wheel shaking and the tire knocking to the speed of it spinning?

Anyway, I made the mistake of having her press the brake with the caliper off, so I could see it in action, but that just made the piston come out too far; so now I have to go buy a C clamp tomorrow and push it back in before i can start my next diagnosis.

Fyi I did go to pep boys and waited 15 minutes for him to get off the phone, then he told me to come back tomorrow...

 

[MistahYebba]

Also, I have a 2x4... oddly I think I have a 4x4 light on my dash where the light for the brake (if something is wrong) is, but it has never been illuminated

Guess they just all use the same dash, whether 2 or 4x4

 

[MistahYebba]

Really all we should focus on is

It was perfect

I replaced the calipers and brake pads

Now something is hitting the tire every revolution it makes, and is even more banging when i turn the wheel to left.

Let's rule out suspension and tires. Solely focusing on brakes (besides rotors) or something near that.

Do I even have ball joints? I was looking and see nothing that looks like ball joints....

 

[92exp4x4]

So what did you wiggle exactly? Is your truck 2wd? I hope the caliper seal isn't damaged from overextending the piston. It should be ok, but look for leaks when its back in service.

If a brake sticks, it will heat up the rotor. The rotor will warp when hot and can go flat as it cools. One of my trucks did this exact thing this week. It's sat for almost 4 years and this week I got it running again. A caliper stuck, overheaded the rotor and I replaced calipers and pads. Upon inspection i noticed the rotors are perfect, no wear at all. They must have been new when I bought the truck.

Upon test drive, the brakes were fine. A few stops and I get the pulsations of a warped rotor. After cooling the symptom goes away until the next use of brakes.

What concerns me is that the caliper pins were loose on your original caliper. Did you replace the pins when you changed the caliper?

 

[92exp4x4]

I see you posted while I was posting. Yes your truck has ball joints. They are the pivot that the knuckle/spindle rotates around on the suspension arm.

The dashes are the same. They just don't have the circuits and bulbs. Common parts save money during manufacturing.

You mentioned hitting the tire. Do you have aftermarket wheels?

Sometimes I wish I could see the vehicle in person on this forum.. it would make diagnosis so much easier!

 

[MistahYebba]

So what did you wiggle exactly? Is your truck 2wd? I hope the caliper seal isn't damaged from overextending the piston. It should be ok, but look for leaks when its back in service.

If a brake sticks, it will heat up the rotor. The rotor will warp when hot and can go flat as it cools. One of my trucks did this exact thing this week. It's sat for almost 4 years and this week I got it running again. A caliper stuck, overheaded the rotor and I replaced calipers and pads. Upon inspection i noticed the rotors are perfect, no wear at all. They must have been new when I bought the truck.

Upon test drive, the brakes were fine. A few stops and I get the pulsations of a warped rotor. After cooling the symptom goes away until the next use of brakes.

What concerns me is that the caliper pins were loose on your original caliper. Did you replace the pins when you changed the caliper?

Hey bud, hope all is well

As stated previously it is 2wd (rear wheel drive) with no option of 4x4

I did change the pins, and I actually have like 4 extra pins too, so I'm good in that area

Wanna know a secret? Last time I did my brake pads like 8 months ago, I didn't even know caliper grease was a thing, and of course the last time the pads were changed before that was a previous owner (I'd estimate 2-3 years ago)

What's funny is, not using caliper grease all this time and I didn't really experience too many issues (I did have one experience where the caliper stuck and my rotor was smoking about 6 months ago, but braking a bunch and driving on it, the issue subsided and it never stuck again)

The side the caliper stuck on was the same side that had a loose slide pin. Keep in mind i have driven it since then with no notable issues or caliper sticking...



But if my rotors got warped in 2 days from "heat" when they are greased up this time, why were they fine driving it completely dry for over a year?!?!

Truly don't think it has to do with rotors or suspension; those issues would have been showing last week before I touched anything

 

[92exp4x4]

Could a wheel have gotten bent? There was something mentioned about hitting a pothole.

 

[92exp4x4]

All is well here, thanks. I noticed you are in Florida. Did the storm get to where you are?

 

[MistahYebba]

Could a wheel have gotten bent? There was something mentioned about hitting a pothole.

I did make a post almost if not exactly a year
Ago about hitting an ugly pothole...

But keep in mind last Friday before I touched my brakes or anything, it was smooth sailing


Also sorry for keeping on posting while you do. Thanks so much for your patience and expertise