Expert: Sean Halliday - 7/17/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
I bought a 1999 knowing that it needed brake work and I replaced both rotors, and pads up front and when I apply any pressure on the brakes the car shakes terribly and I cannot seem to find what the problem is. What do you think that it may be?

Answer -
Sounds like steering components,check the steering rack and pinion.Both tie rods inner and outer and the upper and lower suspension arms and suspension bushes.Both struts may be worn but you didnt say how many miles are on the car,anything that is on the front end will have to be looked at ,you also didnt say what make of car you have.Different cars have different set ups so let me know what make and im sure i have come across this problem.Are both hubs ok?....All bolts tight ?...upper and lower ball joints also...

My car is a 1999 Saturn SL which has 100,900 miles on it and the shocks have been replaced also I found out. I checked all the tie rod ends and they are all tight and same with all the other ball joints I have checked. I also didn't explain it sooo well i guess, well it's worse at higher speeds when you touch the brakes the whole car shakes but if you push the pedal down harder it won't shake very much. The car I have also noticed that the car does not shake when you hit the brakes under 40 mph. Please tell me what you think it make be.

Answer
If all is well with the steering etc,i would look at the wheels and tires,any buckle in the rim will cause it or bad tire.People do a lot of damage they are not aware of by hitting the kerb as they park,tires get torn inside and the wheels get all shapes.Try swopping the tires with the rear ones and see,,,i mean the wheels,,other than that i would need to see the car ,are the rotors new?.possible warp in the rotor.I am thinking you might have to see a alignment specialist to find this ,,,,over 100 000 miles so something is worn under the front end..