Braking shudder

[oli_quick]

Guys (and gals), car just recently been in for a service - big one again...but upgraded to Nitrons so at least got something out of it.

I noticed this weekend when I break I get a real shuddering through the steering wheel. It doesn't seem to be as pronounced during hard braking...

Is this anything I should be worried about (could it be the new shocks/springs?)...to be honest, silly of me, don't know whether the brakes where touched.

[Steve_T]

It could be a deposit of pad material on the disc - makes it feel like the disc is warped. I had my discs skimmed at Austec and this sorted it. The judder may be due to other reasons however, so I'd get the car checked over by a specialist.

Steve.

[jesfirth]

sounds like something is out of balance. does it pull to one side when you brake or does it pull up straight

[oli_quick]

it seems to pull perfectly straight - there is just a frequency that seems to vibrate through the steering wheel.

When I hold the wheel tight is is bearly noticable...but it I loosely hold it, it is quite evident...

[longbow]

Classic signs of wheel imbalance - possibly a weight has fallen off one of the fronts?

[Steve_T]

longbow said:

Classic signs of wheel imbalance - possibly a weight has fallen off one of the fronts?

Would you not feel the imbalance through the wheel all the time in this case?

[longbow]

It ususally becomes much more pronounced at certain speeds e.g. 70mph (which is often the speed that garages balance wheel to). You may feel something at around 50mph, then it can get worse at around 70-80, and then over that it goes away. I've had this one many cars and its always been cured by re-balancing the wheels on the given axle.

[jesfirth]

could it also be "loose" brake pads ie not siliconed on the rear of the pads allowing them to chatter

[c3ber]

Had this after my 6K service and I also was worried that all was not well but after a bit of hard braking all is sorted and is as smooth as ever now.

[Touching Cloth]

Echo that it sounds more like break deposits on the disc to me. Have had it occasionally, even changed front discs because thought they were warped and it came back within about a week - When you stop with hot brakes and then sit on the pedal for instance in traffic, some of the stuff (technical term) from the pads deposits and sticks to the disc thus causing a surface imbalance - yes it is usally worse on a light brake application because once you press harder the pads are tightening on the disc and this is when you start clearing the crud off (as I understand it). Do a good few hard and agressive stops from about 60 which should be enough to clear down the discs, then if that sorts it just try not to keep your foot on the brakes too much in traffic.

Worth a try at the very least as it is free, if not then investigate other options.

[Steve_T]

This is a good read:

www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warp