When I brake at high speeds or after driving for a while my dakota shimmies like it's nobody's business. It's annoying. I figured it was the rotors so today I put on new ones and threw some new pads on there for good measure. Didn't help, wasted money.

A few months ago I had my rear drum brakes redone from a friends uncle who gave me a great price. Now I fear he used cheap parts and they warped on me. Would the rear brakes cause that much shaking? It's a lot.

The thing is, it doesn't happen near as bad when I first start driving my truck in the morning. It seems to get worse as the day goes on.

I've read that it could be bad struts. Is that possible? I don't want to keep throwing money at this and in order to take it to the mechanic I'd have to take some time off work which I really can't afford. Not sure why they are only open when everyone else is working too! Can't blame them though, nobody likes working weekends.

Anyway, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

Mine does that too, but since it rarely happens I just live with it.

 

Curious if he put new drums on it or just turned them on a brake lathe...

 

IIRC there was a known problem wit the rear axle shafts inside the axle being the cause of rear end vibrations on some early trucks. There were threads on the subject awhile back, I can't seem to find them. I believe there was a TSB or something where they replaced the shafts.

 

Heh i was driving a truck like that also, i think that problem improved my driving skills to be honest xD

 

The TSB I believe you are referring to is below.

TSB 05-002-06

SUBJECT:
Shudder While Braking

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacing the rear brake shoes and, if necessary, the axle shafts and refacing the front brake rotors.

MODELS:
2005 - 2006 (ND) Dakota

NOTE: **This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before January 31, 2006 (MDH 0131XX).**

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
A vibration or shudder in the brake pedal when the brakes are applied at highway speeds.

 

Thank you Jack!

 

do me a favor, check the tire pressure, could be off, seems you stated when your driving things tend to heat up. also if the tires are getting old, the bands inside could be slipping a belt or two.

 

My 2006 does this too and it drives me crazy (no pun intended). I replaced the front rotors and brake in April and it still does it. A couple weeks ago I checked and leveled out the air pressure in the tires. That helped some, but it will still shimmy and shake when I break at highway speeds. What is involved in the axle shaft replacement? Does the TSB mean Dodge will fix it for free?

 

TSB normally you have to pay for unless you are still under warranty. I wish I could find that thread. There are only a certain production batch (if you will) that was affected and there are numbers stamped on the rear brake backing plates that have to match the TSB for it to be considered. The post that Dodgecares made specifies whats involved.