Front End Wobble & Shake

[impius hermit]

2010 Corolla LE, ~130,000mi, auto

The front end wobbles & shakes when applying brake between 65mph & 50mph, not above that speed or below it.

Smooth breaking the rest of the time.

The shaking doesn't transfer to the steering wheel:  indication of warped rotors.

I've been to a front-end specialist who said it could be the rotors, but couldn't say for sure.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Jeff

 

 

 

[TonyHSD]

Hi Jeff, 

your symptoms of brake rotors issues are pointing towards rear ones. You need to check those too. Perhaps if your brake system hasn’t been serviced in the last 3-4 years it is a good time for that. No need to change discs or pads unless below minimum thickness., but you need to clean them properly to new like condition including brake callipers and slider pins. Double check if pistons returns after release the brake, remove discs from hubs and clean any lubricant grease and rust to bare metal with wire brush on all mounting surfaces, fit all parts without any grease anywhere except silicone grease on the slider pins., replace brake fluid and bleed the air out. This is what you need to do to your brake system every few years. 👍

[oldcodger]

Agreed, if it was the front discs you would typicaly get wobble through the steering while braking, though do not discount them as the problem. More likely to happen if the discs / rotors have been worn too thin, the minium thickness is often stamped on the disc or in the handbook.

Also agree with @TonyHSD s checklist.

You do not mention if anything has changed on the car over the last few month, eg a service / repair etc,  but before doing any work it might be worth getting hold of a Dial Indicator and measuring the run out on all four discs to see if they are the problem.  Plenty of ytubes on how to do it, easy enough diy jub.

Don't forget to check all the suspension and steering bushes/rubbers, it could be wear thats only showing when high speed braking force is applied to them.

 

 

[Emmett.Corolla]

Well I'd start with getting the wheels balanced, Could be the brake discs, also it could be the drive shafts as they can also go out of balance. Go to a proper garage to get it sorted. As leaving it could cause other problems and eventually let you down.

[Derek.w]

Look like you have to change both rotors and brake shoes.