Steering wheel shake

[jayfrem]

Hi There

My 2009 FJ steering wheel has a slight shake when braking. The truck has 42 k miles on it driven mainly highway and roads with lots of potholes.
Tyres are BFG all terrain, they were not easy to balance.

The steering wheel shakes when braking only.

Could it be my rotors or just a wheel balancing needed ? All maintenance have been done on time but rotors not changed yet which seems not be due.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Re-check balance of tires
Have the alignment checked
Check brake pad wear

More details would be helpful to be helpful...

 

[BMThiker]

Jerry is on target and I'll add:
No need to replace the rotors with 42K on them, just have a brake shop turn them on a rotor lathe. Most places charge about $15-$20 per rotor. Also check to make sure the calipers are torqued properly to the spindle (two 17mm bolts, IIRC).

 

[Gottagetone]

Yep, turn the rotors and you should be good to go. While you are in there you may want to go ahead and change the pads. My first set lasted well over 50K miles but I don't live in a real hilly area and lots o hwy miles. Its a simple job!

 

[Southeast Overland]

Your rotors are probably a bit warped/out of true. Have those turned first and check your pads while you are in there. As others have said that is an easy job and you can do it yourself.

Tires out of balance would probably vibrate at all speeds or at certain speeds, not only when braking. Vibration when braking tend to be within the braking system, often rotors.

If the brake work doesn't fix it then post up and we can look elsewhere.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Check the tires for cupping first. Just like the 4Runners, FJ-C's like to chew up the outer biting and breaking edges of the AT-TA/KO's. Take a look at the outer edges and see if the outer edge is beveled going uphill towards the front sort of a mellower version of this: / / /

Rotate every 5000-8000miles. As for balancing them, you really only have issues above the 31's unless the tech didn't cone the rim correctly and they're the alloy rims that like to chuck the new steel weights. FWIW I switched my balance method on my alloys to inner edge and center-line and have yet to have any more issues.

 

[CDMartin]

Check the tires for cupping first. Just like the 4Runners, FJ-C's like to chew up the outer biting and breaking edges of the AT-TA/KO's. QUOTE]

Actually, all the new BFG AT/KO's do it, they changed the compound last year. Seeing it with all makes and models. My 06' Taco is on its fourth set, and I have gotten 80K out of the last three sets with no issues, this new set I put on last December started to show around 45K, and I also rotate every 5K.

Agree with the above sounds like you need your rotors turned. Lay off the brakes, they shouldn't need to be turned at 42K. ;p

 

[CDMartin]

Also, not sound like a smarta$$, but make sure you don't have any caked on mud behind the rims throwing them out the balance.

 

[vipergrhd]

On car brake lathe

I would agree that your front rotors are warped,your best bet would be getting your rotors machined by an on car brake lathe.The main difference with this set up is you dont remove the rotors off the car the machine is mounted on the car and cut while it's on your spindle being more true and correct.make sure that the wheels are hand torque after being turned this is the main issue having rotors warped once they get hot.if rotors are too thin to cut get some slotted rotors to help rotors to cool down during heavy braking.

 

[monniepoo]

Also, not sound like a smarta$$, but make sure you don't have any caked on mud behind the rims throwing them out the balance.

That's what happened to mine. The tire shop cleaned them up and it's perfect now.