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Brakes pulsing/vibrating over 60mph

L

LightningFastFord

CEG'er
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
51
all four rotors/pads have been replaced.. both CV joints.. driver side ball joint.. and also both outer tie rods.. i still have a violent vibration over 60mph.. light braking is definitely apparent.. heavy braking feels like somethings going to break its pulsing so hard.. dont feel much movement with the 12/6 and 9/3 o'clock test.. if i push hard at the 9/3 it moves but thats just the steering box correct? i also have bled the brakes.. no air in the system.. any idea's before i take it in?
 
Vibration when not braking at 60 MPH? Then it can't be the brakes.

Additional tests would be to jack up the passenger side, push/pull (with your hand) the lower ball joint. It would be very obvious at that point if that were an issue.

Another test is be, is it worse turning left or right? Turning left, most probably passenger side issue. Turning right, most probably driver side issue.

How old are the springs and struts? (front and rear)

Edit. Have you done the easy thing for the tires? Switch the fronts to rear and see if the problem goes away.
 
no its ONLY apparent when braking.. cruises/accelerates just fine.. downshifting is fine (deacceleration without braking).. its only when i hit the brakes.. wheel/tire combo is brand new.. tires are balanced.. however i do need an alignment.. but i dont want to align it only to find out i need a re-align because there's still something wrong..
 
Only during braking? Then you need to "turn" (shave) the rotors. Not all new rotors are true (flat).
 
anything else? i realize new rotors have their imperfections.. but these are Brembo OEM's.. i doubt this would cause severe vibration.. but im not throwing that out yet.. (although i did have the same vibration before i replaced the rotors)
 
couldnt be a caliper problem? i only have 200 miles on these rotors.. and i had this exact problem BEFORE i replaced the rotors and pads.. funny the problem seemed to go away for the first 150 miles or so.. but now its back again.. (but then again i dont think i was ever over 60mph for those first 150 miles..)
 
check the condition of your lower control arm bushings, I bet they are worn.

I had a horrible vibration when braking over 60 mph on the highway in my Mystique, replacing the front brakes took half of the vibration away and new control arms took care of the rest. it was so bad the dash was vibrating :shocked:
 
BrApple said:
check the condition of your lower control arm bushings, I bet they are worn.

I had a horrible vibration when braking over 60 mph on the highway in my Mystique, replacing the front brakes took half of the vibration away and new control arms took care of the rest. it was so bad the dash was vibrating :shocked:
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BINGO. The point 4 bushing (lower control arm rear bushing) when worn out makes the car VERY senstive to brake torque variation, which can occur normally, even with new brake parts. Replace the arms/bushings and everything should be back to normal.
 
New rotors often have significant runout right out of the box. True, it could be the LCA, but I would start by checking the rotor surface. Replacing a rotor is much cheaper and easier.
 
mcgarvey said:
New rotors often have significant runout right out of the box. True, it could be the LCA, but I would start by checking the rotor surface. Replacing a rotor is much cheaper and easier.
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sure you can check them but if he spent the money on good quality rotors it shouldn't be an issue. I have checked the run out on a few new rotors and it hasn't ever been a problem, but then again I don't buy the cheap $20 rotor from autozone either, I only buy American made brake parts
 
I was actually thinking more towards the LCA's.. but i wasnt sure if it would cause that sort of vibe.. luckily i only have the 2 bolt LCA's so it should be a peice of cake.. now.. where to buy?
 
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make sure you buy an extra bolt for the LCA's, you can cut the one that's hard to get out, and reinstall the new bolt upside down. that way you don't have to drop the subframe, or raise the engine/trans.
 
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