Front end severly shakes

Tiny
AUNT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 VOLVO S90
  • 117,000 MILES
When applying brake passenger side shakes really bad bouncing and jumping and brakes go to floor put new brakes bleed and all still shakes with loud noises
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 2:22 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Is there any sounds or any wobbling feelings at low or highway speed?
The first thing I would do is to inspect tire. Then try moving it to rear of car and see if problems is in rim or tire. Feel around the tire for a bump in surface.
Then, if the tire seems to be okay, inspect brake caliper and rotor. Look for grooves in rotor. The rotor may be severly warped if they are the original rotors. Either way, at this mileage you should replace rotors and pads together as the rotors are probably to thin to meet manufacturer specs.
If that checks out, raise the car up and feel for play in suspension, broken strut and/or broken or mis-seated spring. Ceck tie rod ends and ball joints for play.
It sounds like you have a bad tire, so start there. Even if you don't feel a bump moving to the back will give you an indication that it is out of round or internal radial cords are the issue.
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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
AUNT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Replaced lines brake pads ball joint aframe and it would vibrate when brake applyed then bolt came out of aframe and almost wrecked put bolt back in and now when you push brake it shakes eratically and brake goes to floor of feels like it does then picks back up only shakes when stopping not while driving but it feels like the front end is going to fall out also replaced sway bar bushing and control arm that goes from the strut to the a frame but they are looking bad abain could it be the control arms again?Puzzled
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 5:42 AM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Did the tire ever get inspected for bumps or malformations on its surface? A bump or un-even wear on a tires surface can cause severe vibration and bouncing especially at higher speeds and unser braking. I thought of this first becasue it was only happenning at one corner of the car. Definately check that tire as that is a very dangerous problem.
Are either of the rotors grooved or ridged at the edge. If they are grooved that will cause vibration under braking and if the edge is ridged they are probably too thin and need replacement.
The pedal going to the floor is either air in the lines or the master cylinder or brake booster is failing.
A quick test for the brake booster;
Before starting the car, pump the brake pedal until it is firm.
Then keep pressure on the pedal and start the car. If the pedal falls towards the floor from just the weight of your foot, the booster is more than likely not the source of the problem.
Check for fluid leaks under the dash where the push rod goes from the brake pedal into the firewall.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
BILLYBOB
  • MECHANIC
  • 27 POSTS
Your rotors are warped you need 2 have them removed and turned that will fix your problem! The reason I know this is true is your statment that it does it when you apply the brakes get em turned and youll be good as new its a simple in expensive fix I promise you! Should cost less than 30 dollars or they are taking advantage of you! Billyquarter@frontier. Com please remit response thnx
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
I would not reccomend re-surfacing rotors. Rotors on newer cars, especially Hondas and Toyotas, have a very limtied wear thickness specification. They are made very thin to save gas and can generally never be turned. They just do not have the meat on them to take the shaving.
Especially as your rotors are grooved, they have sertanily had hot spots on the ridges and that just adds to the hair crack and failure scenario.
Rotors can be purchased for around $60 shipped for the front and $40 shipped for the rear. If you thy, TheFind. Com, you can even find them cheaper, but be wary of what you get.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 9:11 PM

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