Shaking when braking hard

[jar2187]

Well I just changed by front brake pads 4,000 miles ago and the pedal is starting to feel loose and it doesnt seem to be stoping as it did when we first changed them. There has been something wrong with my brakes since i bought it, could never figure it out though. My brake pedal it spungy sometimes worse than others, when its really spungy brakes dont seem to be working that good. On the highway if I am doing 65-70 and i need to slow down quick, the pedal feels hard like anyother car I have driven, As soon as a brake hard the whole truck shakes and your can feel it in the wheel. This is the only time it does this what could it be?

 

[bikerboy4lif]

I would think you got warped brake rotors.

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by jar2187
Well I just changed by front brake pads 4,000 miles ago and the pedal is starting to feel loose and it doesnt seem to be stoping as it did when we first changed them. There has been something wrong with my brakes since i bought it, could never figure it out though. My brake pedal it spungy sometimes worse than others, when its really spungy brakes dont seem to be working that good. On the highway if I am doing 65-70 and i need to slow down quick, the pedal feels hard like anyother car I have driven, As soon as a brake hard the whole truck shakes and your can feel it in the wheel. This is the only time it does this what could it be?

Did you try bleeding your brakes? That can resolve some of the spungy feeling. Also did you have the rotors turned or replaced with new ones when your had your brakes done? The shaking could been a caused by a warped rotor or even a bad caliper.

 

[TheRookie]

the shaking is warped front rotors. You cant just swap pads and expect things to be OK, gotta atleast resurface rotors but swaping is better.
Have you checked the fluid level? If its low you may have a leak somewhere. Check all rubber hoses for bubbles also. When all else fails take it to a mechanic and get him or her to figure it out. You can usualy pay a little cash for them to tell you whats wrtong

 

[jar2187]

I refuse to take it to a someone to look at it, I am sorry but if ur are determined enough you can fix it. IMO. Also my dad is a diesel Machanic, so he basically did it for me and yes he bleed the brakes, thats why I said the pedal used to feel harder. The pedal felt better when we changed them but still not right, the pedal over the last 4,000 miles has gotten softer.

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by jar2187
I refuse to take it to a someone to look at it, I am sorry but if ur are determined enough you can fix it. IMO. Also my dad is a diesel Machanic, so he basically did it for me and yes he bleed the brakes, thats why I said the pedal used to feel harder. The pedal felt better when we changed them but still not right, the pedal over the last 4,000 miles has gotten softer.

I know how you feel, I feel odd sometimes taking my truck to someone else. I would try having the rotors turned or getting new ones. If your pads aren't that bad, you might be able to salvage them..

 

[jar2187]

But how come my pedal is soft again and it isnt stoping right.

 

[TheRookie]

If you have had braking issues since you bought the truck perhaps you gotta bite the bullet and take it in. Try checking what I said. also Hold the peddal down HARD while someone is looking for leaks. ALso could possibly be a booster or master cyl going. Figure it out quick or take it to someone that can. It isnt safe

 

[audiodude332001]

My truck does the same thing. Im pretty sure it's my rotors. It does shake really bad when going from anywere above 45. And if you thing it shakes bad when going from about 60, or whatever you said, I had it shaking so bad that I thought I wasnt going to stop one night when me and my girlfriend had the needle down between drive and overdrive. That was downright scary.

 

[TheRookie]

The peddal pressure and softness has little or nothing to do with warped rotors though.

 

[audiodude332001]

sorry, my mistake. I missed that part.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Loose wheel bearings can exsaperate the shaking from even slightly warped rotors, you might want to check those.

Can't help with the pedal feel. Does it slowly sink to the floor when you keep your foot on it?

 

[TheRookie]

thats a great point. luckily he has no choice but to check them when he pulls the rotors off.

 

[easnoddy]

thats a great point. luckily he has no choice but to check them when he pulls the rotors off.

I'm having the same issue. I'm about to buy new rotors (slotted and drilled from JC Whitney) and pads (titanium) and replace them. Then I'll take the truck to a shop and have them bleed the brakes for me (I don't really want to die).

On the softness...my truck has ALWAYS had soft/sluggish brakes (for the past 120K miles). My wife's Tundra is so tight on the brakes that if you are barely rolling and slam on the brakes, you better have a seatbelt on or you're hitting the windshield. I love her brakes...hate mine.