shaking when braking

[kidatforty]

I'm driving down the mountain at about 50mph. I apply the brakes and I get front end shaking. I let up and it's gone. If I'm making any turns it doesn't do it. My disc rotors are a little pulsing but I don't think that is the culprit. My dampener has some play in it and I'm sure I need a new one. Do you guys think that would do it? I've adjusted the toe by tape measure method and then readjusted to see if that helps - no difference. Also: All my TRE's are fine and spindles,etc are tight. Thanks people.

[JeepBountyHunter]

Even if you don't think it's the rotor's have you tried having them turned?

[kidatforty]

I need to replace them. they're too blue for the lathe. I didn't want to go to that expense yet since I'm going to be changing the front diff from the stock d27. I'll probably be going to soa and my bolt pattern will change and the discs won't be the same and blah, blah, blah. I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if the dampener is that crucial to keeping any shaking from going on.

[douglas king]

my truck did the same thing before the hub bearings went out on me.

[billyrb]

It can be a combination of several things. But, here is what I think will fix it:

1. Check and pack the wheel bearings
2. Turn the front rotors on a lathe ($10 ea. at most machine shops)
3. Install new brake pads, and bleed the system.

[mountaincrusher]

I just fixed that on my 81 GW , turned out the sway bar bushings and links were shot, after i replaced the wheel bearings, damper shock and brakes... smile.gif .. expensive way to fix a shake

[Zack172]

On my Cherokee, sometimes when I brake they make some weird grinding noise... but they don't shake. I don't get it.

[orangecherokee]

zack have you checked your brakes lately??? might be getting to the end or worse you're into the rotor!! also, those bloomin' dust covers always drive me crazy. they get anywhere near that rotor and it sounds likee all hell is breaking loose on your rotor. check that out.

[Zack172]

Thanks orange, will do.

[Joe H.]

Are the dust covers necessary? I yanked mine because they were hitting the back of my freshly turned rotors.

[gsmikie]

get the tires balanced

[The Anti-Chrysler]

I guarantee that either your front rotors (or drums?) are warped, or, as nobody else mentioned, the rear drums are warped. The fact the pulsing goes away after the brakes are released makes me tend to discount bearing problems or the like.