I have an 04 with 100,000 miles, and when I slow down it shakes. I have tried slowing down different was. Like slowing hard or softly and it changes a little bit. It seem like it doesn't do it right when I get on the breaks or when I'm going slow. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. I have some theories; maybe the tires are out of balance, or something with the anti-lock brakes.

 

sounds like a warped rotor

does it also pull to one side?


4x4 or 4x2?

 

no not really just shakes. you can see the steering wheel shake when it does. thats good though i will definitely check that out.

 

4x4

 

ABS will be a pulsing feeling. you'll mainly feel it in your butt and foot.


and when is the last time you had the brakes changed? I'd pretty much bet it's a warped rotor though. The shaking steering wheel is very common when that happens, and the shaking sensation of the truck

 

well I just bought the truck. So I havent changed the brakes. But I will definitely do that now. Will I just be able to tell by looking at them or will it be to small to see?

 

Your rotors are warped. Shortly after I drove through a running river like my young dumb idiot duck/pheasant chasing self would, crap got caught in my brakes and my rotors warped badly and the truck would shake violently when braking. The steering wheel would shake too.

Sucks the previous owner didn't tell you about it or get it fixed for you.

 

Yeah you're right, but at least its an easy fix. Well its a total load off my shoulders knowing whats wrong with my truck. Should I find out which one is warped and replace that one? Or just go ahead and change them all?

 

The rotors on these trucks warp very easily because people over-torque the lug nuts. Be sure that after you change the rotors, you re-torque the lug nuts to the specified amount using a torque wrench and some good antisieze. I would start by changing the rotors and pads in the front. That's where most of your braking force is and the only ones that would cause the steering wheel to shake.

 

Rotors-------- do em yourself... Less than 200.00 for both with new brakes

 

Ok cool that's good info. I have a torque wrench, and I will definitely do that.

 

the 04+ trucks have about a 60/40 (front/rear) braking proportion. so the back brakes wear lot more than people think they will.


I highly recommend you do all 4 corners for the brake pads, and swap out both front rotors.

 

luckily for you its a 4x4 and rotors are cheaper

 

I would replace the rotors and pads, they have updated rotors for your truck probably. They have biger fins so they dont get hot, or just machine them and replace your pads.

 

Im curious, I have never heard of this. Why would the torque of the lugs have an affect on the wear of the rotors when it comes to warping?