Front end vibration
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Front end vibration
Is there a SIMPLE/EFFECTIVE way to diagnose whether a vibration when braking at highway speeds is disc rotor runout, bad tie rod ends, or bad ball joints? I'd like to narrow it down and repair the correct component rather thna using a shot gun or trial and error approach.
No shake at slow speeds on city streets, but when braking at 70 or 80 miles per hour on highway I experience a noticeable front end vibration that I can feel in the steering wheel.
Thank you in advance for any tips
Kurt
No shake at slow speeds on city streets, but when braking at 70 or 80 miles per hour on highway I experience a noticeable front end vibration that I can feel in the steering wheel.
Thank you in advance for any tips
Kurt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
If the vibration only happens during braking, then brakes are where you should start. Don't know of anyway to test runout other than removing the wheel and measuring the rotor/hub with a dial indicator. You also might want to check for thickness variation by measuring the rotor thickness at multiple points around the rotor. Thickness variation will also show up as a pedal pulsation.
For tie rods and ball joints, jack up the front of the car. Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o-clock position and try and move the wheel. Watch the ball joints for movement. Then grab at 3 and 9, and try and move the wheel side to side. Watch the tie rod for movement. If you have slack up and down as well as side to side then you may want to make sure your wheel bearings are tight.
For tie rods and ball joints, jack up the front of the car. Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o-clock position and try and move the wheel. Watch the ball joints for movement. Then grab at 3 and 9, and try and move the wheel side to side. Watch the tie rod for movement. If you have slack up and down as well as side to side then you may want to make sure your wheel bearings are tight.
