Steering wheel wobbles/vibrates when braking
03-20-17, 04:44 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Steering wheel wobbles/vibrates when braking
I have been noticing my steering wheel wobbles/ vibrates quite a bit when coming to a hard brake and stop when driving speed of 50mph and greater. It wobbles enough for me to hold the steering wheel with both hands. I had the front brakes replaced last march 2016. Wondering what the issue may be hmm
03-20-17, 06:11 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
The brake rotors are going bad.
03-20-17, 08:27 AM
#5
Lexus Champion
If it was a wheel balance issue I would expect it to be wobbling at all times, not just during braking. I too suspect an issue with the rotors. How many miles are on them?
03-20-17, 08:56 AM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
03-20-17, 09:07 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
03-20-17, 09:21 AM
#9
Driver
Thread Starter
I noticed a significant amount of rust on my two front brake rotors. Now my dilemma is whether to take it to the dealership or a local auto shop that i built a relationship with to have them change the brake rotors since when it comes to fixing cars im not mechanically inclined and esp dealing with the braking system i dont wanna take the chance and do it myself. How much should i look to pay for labor and parts altogether?
03-20-17, 10:13 AM
#10
Driver
Thread Starter
Just called dealership near my way and they quoted me $380 for labor and parts for replacing the two front rotors and thats before tax. anyone brought their car to toyota and have it done there?
03-20-17, 10:42 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
First off, you have to make a clear distinction between your two problems.
Your steering wheel vibrations, are they due to your braking or despite your braking?
If due to your braking, you likely have pad deposits on your rotors. You shouldn't--there's an underlying problem possibly due to overheating of some sort--usually caused by a stuck or slow to react caliper piston or sliding hardware. In other words, you could have rust on your brakes. Or possibly crappy brake pads (are they factory or aftermarket?) Check with the installer what brand they used. Poor pads overheat fast. Overheating=pad deposits. Pad deposits=vibration. Make sure Pro lexus pads are used.
The other option due to braking could be a failed control arm bushing or some other associated balljoint (rare)
If your vibrations are independent of braking, then obviously you have a balancing problem or out of round wheel or tire. Make sure you have quality name brand tires and no damage to the wheels. You could have all the above going on. Start with a clean slate (literally clean), use all quality parts all the time (avoid junk brand aftermarket crap when possible), start with undamaged quality wheels/tires, balancing job (make sure the balancing machine is calibrated--this means do not go to mickey mouse tire shops), etc. In other words, money=quality. Don't cheap out in any and all of the above steps.
There's some hit or miss or misinformation in this thread. You can take my advice though, I practically wrote the book on diagnosing this (and a ton of other stuff) over in the BMW world. Same crap applies. Surprised having to pass my diagnoses/repair experience/knowledge onto such a new platform but I guess this car is aging to the point where unknown factors/players/mechanics/parts can really start causing messes. People are now on their 1st, 2nd brake pad change out of warranty maybe, so now more factors creeping in. We'll probably start to see more problem posts like this. Watch where you take your cars, people. No cheaping out on anything especially brake related. GL i hope you get it resolved!
Your steering wheel vibrations, are they due to your braking or despite your braking?
If due to your braking, you likely have pad deposits on your rotors. You shouldn't--there's an underlying problem possibly due to overheating of some sort--usually caused by a stuck or slow to react caliper piston or sliding hardware. In other words, you could have rust on your brakes. Or possibly crappy brake pads (are they factory or aftermarket?) Check with the installer what brand they used. Poor pads overheat fast. Overheating=pad deposits. Pad deposits=vibration. Make sure Pro lexus pads are used.
The other option due to braking could be a failed control arm bushing or some other associated balljoint (rare)
If your vibrations are independent of braking, then obviously you have a balancing problem or out of round wheel or tire. Make sure you have quality name brand tires and no damage to the wheels. You could have all the above going on. Start with a clean slate (literally clean), use all quality parts all the time (avoid junk brand aftermarket crap when possible), start with undamaged quality wheels/tires, balancing job (make sure the balancing machine is calibrated--this means do not go to mickey mouse tire shops), etc. In other words, money=quality. Don't cheap out in any and all of the above steps.
There's some hit or miss or misinformation in this thread. You can take my advice though, I practically wrote the book on diagnosing this (and a ton of other stuff) over in the BMW world. Same crap applies. Surprised having to pass my diagnoses/repair experience/knowledge onto such a new platform but I guess this car is aging to the point where unknown factors/players/mechanics/parts can really start causing messes. People are now on their 1st, 2nd brake pad change out of warranty maybe, so now more factors creeping in. We'll probably start to see more problem posts like this. Watch where you take your cars, people. No cheaping out on anything especially brake related. GL i hope you get it resolved!
03-20-17, 10:59 AM
#12
Lexus Champion
03-20-17, 01:34 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
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It sounds like the front rotors are warped from your description in the original post.
As they are only a year old, there is likely enough material on them to be machined straight. This should eliminate both the rust and the vibration/wobble.
Alternately you could just replace them with the same result...however machining them will be a lot cheaper.
As they are only a year old, there is likely enough material on them to be machined straight. This should eliminate both the rust and the vibration/wobble.
Alternately you could just replace them with the same result...however machining them will be a lot cheaper.
03-20-17, 02:40 PM
#14
Sounds like the rotors are wrapped which cause of overheating. Start with Resurfacing your 2 front rotors. And if you are replacing it u should replace with drilled and slonted rotor..
03-20-17, 07:11 PM
#15
Instructor
YOu have Brake Pad from dealers ? or aftermarket ? i used aftermarket pads on my 2011 IS350 it does that when braking at high speed, you'll feel like its skipping, the best and cheap is use Aftermarket rotors but Dealer's Pads