I've checked my front brakes and they seem to be fairly new. My front shocks need replacing, and I just replaced the rear brakes with new clips/springs and drums. The rear end is new as well (off a truck with 90K). Replaced gear oil upon installation of rear end. Rear shocks are fair, and I'll probably replace them before too long. Front ball joints will need to be replaced soon, but do not HAVE to be done right now. The pitman arm was recently replaced as well. Have NOT had truck aligned due to front passenger tire being a replacement since my previous had a sidewall tear from a shredded 18-wheeler tire piece hitting me on the highway.

When I hit my brakes, there is a lot of vibration up front. The rotors are smooth. The rest of the steering parts seems to be fine (had someone turn the wheel while I was under the truck). I'm not sure what else it could be, so as I was looking at the shocks to see how difficult they would be to replace, I saw this part beside the spring. I've looked in my Haynes manual but can't figure it out. I'm referring to the spongy thing to the right of the spring in the pic, hanging from the bell-shaped metal piece. What is this? The pic is of my front passenger tire side. The front driver's side is missing this spongy piece all together. I assume they are necessary or they wouldn't be there at all.

Would bad shocks on the front and not having an alignment cause the front end to vibrate hard when braking? The harder and faster I brake, the worse the vibration. If I gently hit the brake, I barely feel any vibration. If I try to stop quickly, it's pretty bad.

 

That is a bump stop. Keeps the suspension from bottoming out. Sounds like you need new rotors, yours are probably warped. The systems you describe are classic symptoms of a warped rotor.

 

Thanks. You're the 2nd person that has told me that...and i forgot that a friend mentioned that a while back until you just said it. I seriously doubt my rotors have been replaced, so I'll just do it anyway and check the brakes again while at it.

So is the bump stop necessary for city driving? Driving in grass in my back yard is about as off road as I get right now.

 

As stated, it keeps the suspension from bottoming out against the frame. As long as your not jumping your truck on a regular basis, nothing to worry about. Agree with above. You have classic symptoms of warped rotors.

 

Also agree, warped rotors

 

if there is still some life left on the rotors, just get them turned vs getting new ones. save you a lot of money. same goes for the rear drums.

 

If you can find a place that will turn them. Pretty much everyone around me stopped years ago.

 

Oreillys does.


But they have to be almost orginal thickness or they won't.


I ordered mind off rockauto for 60 something shipped.

 

I agree with warped rotors.

Note - I've made the mistake of getting the cheapy rotors in the past, and it still shook. Get decent rotors.

 

Agree with comment about Oriellys. Had my wife's 2012 Dodge Journey rear rotors turned by Orielly's. Her SUV has less than 50K on it, and this is the first time they've been turned. They were barely able to turn them, and won't do it again. However, it was only $24 total. Purchased new rotors for my truck. $53 each from Autozone. I bought my rear drums from them and haven't had any issues. With a 2-yr warranty, if I don't like the front, I'll return and get from somewhere else. Hopefully they'll be fine. Duralast brand.

http://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-t...1_172972_4825/

Thanks for the help.