jdw1

ok i just had new front brake pads put on about 2,000 miles ago. just got my lower balljoints replaced, and a front end alignment, had my tires rotated and balanced. the outer tie rods were replaced about a year ago. the inner tie rods look fine. it still vibrates and makeing a loud rumbling noise. could my rotors be warped? i did notice when the wheels were off the rotors were scored and i could feel ripples in them. any other ideas?

ahickman

Absolutely! Front rotors may be warped. Going through this tonight with my Runner as I found it had a wobbling steering wheel when I pushed in on the brakes. Take off the tire and retract the pads a smidge. Rotate the rotor and look to see if the spacing between the rotor surface and the pad changes as you go through a full revolution. Do this on both sides to make sure. If the surface is rippled as well, you may want to take the rotors off and have them turned. Whoever is turning them will be able to tell you if they are beyond repair.

jdw1

is there any write ups about rotor removal and assembly

ahickman

One of the more easy DIY chores on a vehicle. Below is a link to an FSM which shows dissasembly/assembly. For the most part, you will remove two bolts (accessed from backside of cylinder) which hold the cylinder to the the front axle plate. Pry apart the cylinder/pads so they clear the rotor and remove cylinder. I usually just leave the brake line attached and support the cyclinder using string so there is no tension on the flexible line. Unbolt the rotor and slide towards you.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...8-4wds1212.pdf

leebee

the other thing you will want to do is, torque your lugs according to type of wheel. alloys, iirc 80-90ftlbs and steelies im not certain on.

overtight lugs will cause vibration and can lead to warping of rotors.

lee

abecedarian

and while you got it apart, check and replace / repack the wheel bearings.

jdw1

what size socket do i need for the front wheel bearing adjusting nut and locking nut? also is it necessary to use a spring scale to measure the bearing preload?

jdw1

it wasnt my rotors after all. one of my u joints on the rear driveshaft was shot.

Matt16

Are the ripples concentric circles? That's just how rotors wear. If the are parallel to the radii of the rotor, then you have a problem, but you'd already know because your truck would shake violently when braking.

jdw1

my truck doesnt shake when i brake. so i started thinking it was the u joints and it was.