Shakey Bakey

[epheterson]

When I hit the breaks on my car, the entire car shakes. It doesn't happen 100% of time time, but most of the time. What are possible culprits?

[jrhaile]

warped rotors is usually what it is.. could just need an alignment too.

[bigred318]

alignement did it for me, but if the problem has been around for a while your rotors will warp as jr stated. In this case you will get an alignment and then have to fix the rotors too

David

[SpeedInfusion]

ball joints gone bad...new control arms or tie rods, alignement...

[Speedy-325is]

have your brakes bled....air in the lines.

i'd bet its that over anything else.
cheaper too....thats where i would start.

it should be done every few months, cuz the thick brake fluid turns to water and after
they heat up, boil and bubble causing air bubbles which cause your shaking.

Mark

start simple. look at obvious stuff, then shell out the big $$$ later

[epheterson]

How do I do that.. can I do it myself, or is that a shop kind of thing?

[bitcore]

Air bubbles shouldn't cause a violent shaking, it would just make the brake lines ABSORB the pressure instead of transmitting it to the brake pads. IE: The brake pedal will become very mushy and "spongey". What usually required 5 lbs of thrust can require 13lb or more to get the same hydraulic force because air and water compress easially, hydraulic fluid is designed not to compress.

Go ahead and bleed your brakes anyways since it's nice to have fresh fluids at the calipers. Better yet is to do a brake fluid flush. More of a pain but at least you know that the fluid won't be causing the shaking.
Bleeding them isn't too hard. Get a cup and take the wheels off (helps to have the car jacked up on jackstands) and a buddy to step on the brake to push the fluid out. That's about it. Read an article about it first.

warped rotors, alignment, loose->cracked\worn bushings, (lower control arm bushings most notibly) ball joints.

If your bushings are worn and you replace them, be sure they re-align your car unless you go to the dealership where they should do that anyways.

[Speedy-325is]

Originally posted by bitcore@Dec 21 2004, 10:17 PM
Air bubbles shouldn't cause a violent shaking,

[snapback]256025[/snapback]

OOOOYES it can!!!!!! and it does....


Mark