Intermittent steering wheel shaking

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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 01:16 AM
  #1  
NighthawkBlue's Avatar
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Intermittent steering wheel shaking

Not shaking bad, did it during breaking. Usually from high speed to lower, ie 80mph to 60.

So I thought I've joined the warped rotor club. Or have I? It goes away. For weeks even months.
It did it 6 months ago. Then stopped. Is this tied in to washing the car and getting the hot rotors wet? I dont think so. 2001 CL-s with 69K.

Brake Inspection 2 months ago. Pads fine, plenty of thickness left. OEM Rotors fine as far as thickness and no visual warpage. Fronts could be turned again, rears better to not turn again but still well above limits.

Tires are way good. 2 new, 2 with 80%. 4 wheel alignment after the 2 newbies only 6 months ago.

Is there some machine that measures warpage?
Explaination for the occasional steering wheel shake?
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 07:34 PM
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I had occasional shake under heavy braking but it was intermettent too... Not that bad IMHO, but the Dealer discovered it while doing other work on the car, and resurfaced the rotors and changed the pads @ 22k...

It sounds like warpage, but I don't know how to tell for sure...
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 07:37 PM
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its either warped rotors or more than likely your alignments out
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 10:01 PM
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Thanks for the input. Here is some more input from NiteQuill. I have some work to do.

Rotors: The only way to measure if a rotor is warped is drive to 60mph then brake semi-hard to 0mph, if you have ANY vibration, your rotors are warped.

If the shaking is intermittent and not all-the-time... then it is NOT you brakes that are causing the problem. You may have to get your wheel bearings or check the balance of the wheels. When was the last time you had your alignment checked? Sometimes a bent control arm can cause problems. But intermittent shaking is so general... it can also be a host of other problems.

I've got my eye on the wheel bearings. Anyone else have any problems with parking lots cleaned by those moronic blowers? The highly skilled teknitshuns running them often keep pushing a huge pile of dust-dirt along and instead of going around and/or sweeping it up, just plow right under your car. I wonder is these assholes got grit in my bearings.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:51 AM
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Some members have had the front wheel bearings replaced (bulldog01 and mikes 18), but I don't think bearing replacement is a widespread problem.

Bulldog01 had his done w/ over 100K miles, while MikeS 18 had his done sooner:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165316
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
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I noticed that tirerack has brembo replacement rotors for $65 a peice... I was looking at a brake thread in cartalk (civic SI), and was poking around the tirerack site.

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...tor&perfCode=P

Siggy wasn't impressed with rotoras:

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/my-gf-licking-my-cheek-right-now-175541/
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
I noticed that tirerack has brembo replacement rotors for $65 a peice... I was looking at a brake thread in cartalk (civic SI), and was poking around the tirerack site.

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...tor&perfCode=P

Siggy wasn't impressed with rotoras:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175541
Looks good, only $65. However aren't "slotted" durn near a neccessity with our CLs? Are these non slotted Brembos the same OEMs that are causing all the fracas
Siggy never did give the final outcome with Rotora.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 12:45 PM
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I would say its your brakes...and it probably is from spraying down your rotors when they are still hot.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by moomaster_99
I would say its your brakes...and it probably is from spraying down your rotors when they are still hot.
Or someone using an airgun to tighten the lugs instead of torqueing then to spec.
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 04:33 AM
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screw 'em's Avatar
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How about the road surface conditions? I've certainly felt occasional rhythmic vibs. in my steering wheel and had to write it off as just the road surface. couldn't duplicate it again until it might happen months later.
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by screw 'em
How about the road surface conditions? I've certainly felt occasional rhythmic vibs. in my steering wheel and had to write it off as just the road surface. couldn't duplicate it again until it might happen months later.
I don't know. Sounds plausible. Since I am going to upgrade to Rotoras anyways, on mine I will soon be able to rule out rotors.

On the rotor warped or not front, it seems this dial indicator gizmo that SiGGy originally speaks of then mrdeeno expounds upon is the answer for determining warpage. Currently trying to find a reputable shop with such.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177309

Thanks Monster, EricL for the reminders to icksnay the torque. I'm going to ask for hand torque from here on out.
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 07:27 PM
  #12  
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yea as already mentioned, id say its definitely one of these:

-warped rotors
-wheel bearings
-wheels need balancing
-alignment
-bent control arm

anyone know if warped rotors, control arms, and wheel bearings are covered under warranty or what? ive never asked dealerships or anything
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Old Jan 22, 2006 | 10:07 AM
  #13  
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I had tires that were cupped and it caused really bad wheel shake while braking too...new tires....no shake...
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