Truck shakes after new pads and rotors

[358R]

So, just replaced both fronts rotor and pads. Took it for a spin. Seemed fine til I made a slight right turn and hit a bump. Steering wheel and truck started shaking violently. Thought maybe it was just all the new stuff working itself in. Slowed down and it stopped. Seemed ok, then went for a spin on the highway. Was cruising around 55-60mph and changed to the passing lane and hit a bump. Again, steering wheel starts shaking violently until i slowed down below 40mph. Got it back home and there's smoke coming from the passenger side wheel/tire area. I'm guessing I either didn't tighten something down well or a caliper piston is sticking randomly. And no, it was not doing this before I changed all the parts out. But perhaps that could have been because the old pads were so worn. Thoughts?

 

[358R]

Further use of the Google Machine shows that perhaps me not cranking the truck while turning the wheel left/right to make for easier access to the bolts may be playing a factor. Something about the power steering. This just added info.

 

[swshawaii]

^ Exactly. Time to do some SLOW figure eights in an empty parking lot or open space.

You'll get strange looks, just make sure you're 100% sober in case a cop sees you doing it. LOL

Keep us posted with your results, or fix. GL

 

[358R]

^ Exactly. Time to do some SLOW figure eights in an empty parking lot or open space.

You'll get strange looks, just make sure you're 100% sober in case a cop sees you doing it. LOL

Keep us posted with your results, or fix. GL

So, you've heard of/experienced this before? even with the smoking coming from the right front? I guess I'm just trying to mechanically understand what happened to cause the smoke. Regardless, I'm going to give it a try. Also, do you happen to know if I need to go full lock when doing said figure 8's?

 

[swshawaii]

Oops, I missed the smoke part. Nothing to do with aerated P/S fluid. Is the rim getting hot? Burnt metallic smell coming from the wheel area?

 

[Turdle]

check the front caliper mounting bracket bolts.

Also make sure the front passenger caliper is releasing. Since the piston is now further inside the caliper with new pads, it might be sticking.

 

[358R]

check the front caliper mounting bracket bolts.

Also make sure the front passenger caliper is releasing. Since the piston is now further inside the caliper with new pads, it might be sticking.

While we're on the topic, what's the suggested lubricant for the slide pins?

And how do I check to see if it's sticking? Can you do it while it's disassembled?

 

[358R]

Ok, after further investigation and finding a mechanic to speak with, he said that most likely because i turned the steering wheel while the car was not cranked, it introduced air into the line. And that he's had this happen with two rangers. Just the slightest turn and the truck would shake violently. So, I'll go do circles in a parking lot now and report back.

 

[358R]

After several figure 8's at the local country club parking lot, it seems to be resolved. Thanks everyone for the help. If it ends up not being the fix, I'll report back.

 

[chefduane]

..to answer the question of the lubricant on the slide pins.. Sil-Glyde.

 

[Turdle]

To check if a brake caliper is seizing you can raise the front of the vehicle and secure it from rolling off the jackstands.

Then spin the front tires, they should spin freely.
Start the engine and apply brakes , with a good firm pedal. The brakes should release and allow the wheels to spin freely. Do this several times just to be sure.

The power steering air bleed fix might have taken care of the steering shake, but it does not explain the smoke from the passenger side wheel.

 

[358R]

To check if a brake caliper is seizing you can raise the front of the vehicle and secure it from rolling off the jackstands.

Then spin the front tires, they should spin freely.
Start the engine and apply brakes , with a good firm pedal. The brakes should release and allow the wheels to spin freely. Do this several times just to be sure.

The power steering air bleed fix might have taken care of the steering shake, but it does not explain the smoke from the passenger side wheel.

It seems as if I didn't clean all of that coating off the back side of the rotor. I've driven it a few more times now and no smoking.

 

[358R]

Shazam! It's not fixed. The shaking still exists at 65+ mph. It's not quite the same where it felt like something was going to fall off the front end. And there's no more smoke. Now I'm thinking more along the lines that something is loose.

 

[358R]

ok, we're fixed now. Just didn't tighten the castle nut on the rotor enough. Apparently, contrary to what I've read/seen/the way it's portrayed in videos, you need to crank on the castle nut, spin, crank, spin, etc...until you can't go anymore. THEN back off on the castle nut. Also, there's a slightly worn outer tie rod and the toe was out on one side.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Kinda Nice being able to talk with peeps here and get it all worked out. I have so much enjoyed this Forum.

 

[358R]

Kinda Nice being able to talk with peeps here and get it all worked out. I have so much enjoyed this Forum.

Yep, night and day difference from other forums.