Shaking Steering Wheel When I brake

JASONY

MEMBER
DODGE CARAVAN

Greetings,

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan - 200k miles - 3.3L V6.

About 3M miles ago I had a couple of issues that I took care of at once. Front brakes were worn and digging into the rotor, so I replaced both sets of front pads and the driver's side rotor with new ones. Other problem was the front driver's side wheel was bent due to hitting a curb. This resulted in a regular intermittent squeak when the wheel would turn. I replaced that as well.

After replacing the wheel, rotor and brake pads, the intermittent squeaking went away. However soon thereafter (maybe a couple of days?) I noticed when I pressed the brakes it would leap. The problem has gotten progressively worse, until now when we press the brakes the steering wheel shakes and the brake pedal goes up and down a bit. This is more pronounced at higher speeds or going downhill.

I checked the front pads and they are in good shape. Checked for tightness of all the lug nuts - everything tight. I don't know if this an alignment issue or if it is a problem with the rotor or?

Thanks for any help!

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Jason, if you didn't replace both rotors, you should have. Also, you want to clean and adjust the rear brakes if they are drum anytime you replace the fronts and again at 12,000-15,000 miles.

The pulsation is the rotors unable to handle the heat. You can verify that it is the front by holding the release to the e-barkes out and using the e-brake to stop. If it is smooth, the problem is confrimed to the front.

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Saturday, August 25th, 2007 AT 3:25 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

The other thing you should check is front end alignment. Due to the force required to bend a rim, you may have bent other parts as well. I agree with Paul on the brakes! Warped rotors give the pulsations you are getting!

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Sunday, August 26th, 2007 AT 4:55 AM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Ya got me thinking Mike. :Shock: IT my forst post of the morning so thinking isn't always the clearest
:lol:
This thing was good for a few days and then started leaping. I'm not sure what leaping means exactly, I starting to think a caliper is hanging up also. Like you say may there is a suspension problem that may be forcing abnormal pressure on the caliper. I would also be curious if the caliper was spun on installation twisting the brake hose and causing a fluid flow problem.

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Sunday, August 26th, 2007 AT 5:34 AM