Possible brake issues, maybe suspension

[scottswierenga]

Ok, I am at the end of my rope with this problem. I have had both front brake assemblies taken apart twice to try to diagnose this without any possitive result towards resolution. I can't find anything wrong visually so I don't know there to go next with this. There are two symptoms and they DO NOT exist at the same time, it's either one or the other and I never know which I will get when I step on the brake pedal.

Symptom #1)
Under braking the streering wheel will shake, with a firm pedal feel

or

Symptom #2)
Under braking the brake pedal will pulse, sometimes with a clunking sound, sometimes without.

In the situation of symptom 2 when the clunking occurs it has been known to be bad enough sometimes to make me think a wheel might fall right off.
I haven't been able to determine which side the issue is being experienced from. I have checked for the following (all with the wheels off):
Play in the Rotors (wheel bearings)
Overall condition of the Rotors (getting worn, not perfectly smooth across braking area)
Brake Pad fit and wear (appears to fit well w/even pad wear)
Tie Rods (no loose nuts or stripped threading)
Overall Caliper condition (just dirty)
Wheel Studs (just fine)

I don't know what else to check or look for/at. I want (ie. No money) to replace the rotors and bearings, they prob. haven't ever been done. I have had this 94 since sometime in '04, the issue is fairly current. All parts are present and accounted for with the exeption of the anti-rattle clip for drivers side. This isn't a rattle though.

Any Ideas?

p.s.
ANY and ALL symtoms completely cease upon release of the brake pedal.

 

[Explodr94]

Sympton 1 sounds like warping rotors. Did you check the rotor thickness? Do you use ceramic brake pads? Are you lugs torqued to specs? Either one of these situations could contribute to warp rotors. To repair have rotors turned and I have found semi-metallic pads solve most warping problems.

Symptom 2 I would remove rotors and repack the bearings. When torquing the spindle nut, you torq it down to 35 ft/lbs. while spinning and and then back it out 1/4 turn. Then re-torq the nut to 16 in/lbs or until the spindle nut key slides in the groove.

If those checks do not solve the problem, it would appear to be suspension related. If you have a lot of miles on the vehicle, you may want to consider a suspension kit, from one of many suppliers. Just my two cents.

Matt

 

[mrboyle]

I would start with replacing the rotors. Like Matt said above they are likely warpped which can not be seen by visually inspecting the rotors. The #1 cause of steering pullsation under braking is warpped rotors. I wouldn't be suprised if replacing the rotors fixes both your broblems.

 

[Gadget X]

Okay, I'm gonna throw my two cents in because I fixed the exact same problems on my 94' in about a half hour! The first problem is warped rotors. You can buy new ones at O'Reilly auto parts for about $25 apiece. The second problem I'm going to assume is your radius arm bushings, which can be had for between $7 and $35 or so. The reason you're getting the "clunking" sound is because the radius arm is slamming into the hole as the brakes pulse because it is worn and has too much play. I hope that this helps, as it is the easiest solution I can come up with. Check your radius arm bushings before you go out to buy more just to make sure that this is correct. Good luck!

 

[scottswierenga]

I have suspected rotors but havn't been able to get it done. I had the radius arm bushings replaced since I have had it, they had to add some metal to the frame because it was worn down through neglect before I got it. I noticed the other day that when I popped it into 4by that the shaking in the steering wheel was EXTREMELY pronounced. WHat might that be all about?

 

[dartman]

u joints

check your front axle u joints--possibly siezed.You may notice sometimes that in 2 wheel drive when you turn left or right that the steering wheel may jump in your hands. for your brake rotors. If the steering wheel goes back & forth when you apply the brakes --your rotors are warped.If the pedal goes up & down--the rotors are worn thick/thin causing brake caliper pistons to move in & out. Don't machine rotors--just replace with new.

 

[Hawkmn]

#2 seems like normal for ABS breaks, atleast for most that I have had with ABS.

#1 could be bad rotors, or seizing caliper.


I have a 94 with new brakes, rotors, drums, pads, shoes all the way around. This was done before I got the truck. I get the normal ABS click when the front ABS are engaged. What you might want to look at is a faulty ABS sensor. If under normal road conditions the ABS are enguaging, then the ABS system is faulty.

Bad U-Joints in the front axle will normally give you a click/tick sound when drving in 4x4 (straight or turning) but would lessen some if you turn just slightly (1 or 2 degrees) left or right (pending direction would pend on which side was going bad). The drive shaft from the T-case to the front axle if those are bad will also give you a vibration along with a click/tick sound (harder to hear the sounds, but would feel the vibrations at higher speeds 30mph or higher). Vibration can also mean out of balance, if the counter weight fell off due to age, as these are not coated very well to with stand the winter weather.

When rotors are cold, run your finger accross them, if you feel any groves where the brake pads press (front or rear. which rear is more common), then your rotors need replacement.