I've just developed a shudder from about 20mph down to about 12mph on deceleration only. If I'm on the brakes hard, it's less noticeable. Occasionally I can feel the shudder starting at 30mph.

Some background. I just replaced the driver's side axleshaft (after I bent the yoke on it replacing the U-joint... d'oh!!). It was perfect for a week or two after the replacement, but then this shudder started. I suspect they're related, but not sure.

The shudder occurs with the brakes applied or not, though as I said, it's less if the brakes are on hard. It occurs in both 2WD and 4WD. It doesn't occur on acceleration, though sometimes I think I can feel something there (because I'm imagining it?). If I'm downshifting and decelerating against the engine (no jake), it is either gone or somehow minimized.

I've checked all the bolts and all are tight for the brake caliper and hub assembly. The main hub nut still has the cotter and doesn't appear to have moved.

Tire pressure is good. I don't know if a balance weight was lost because I don't know what was there from the last tire change. I haven't gone into have it spun yet.

It does seem to be coming from the front end, but it's possible it could be the passenger side (changed that U-joint some time ago and all has been well).

I don't feel any vibration or shudder through the steering wheel nor is there any impact on the steering that I notice.

Ball joints were replaced a couple of years ago and are in good shape.

What am I missing? What could have changed or come loose that I should check? Could it be as simple as a balance weight? This is driving me crazy!

I've gone through the search and it seems most people have a shudder on acceleration, not slowing.

Thanks!

 

Possibly a seized up u joint in the drive shaft (rear) ?

 

Would not be a wheel weight, you'd feel that at high speed and regardless of throttle application. This sounds like a bad u-joint in e front or rear, or possibly the axle shaft you didn't change.

 

If you had a bad-ujoint on the axle it should be worse when turning. Could you have a sticking caliper slide with a warped rotor. If its a brake it would most like only be on one side and you should be able to detect some pulling to one side. I had a bad carrier bearing on my driveshaft but that caused shudder on acceleration at low speed. Have you tried coasting with it in neutral to determine if it makes a difference.

 

That's what I thought about the wheel weights; it would be more at high speed, not low.

The axle shaft on the other side has been fine for a couple of years since I replaced the u-joint on that one, so I'm skeptical that it suddenly developed a shudder right after I completed the driver's side. But I guess it could be. Things never happen alone, right?

I could have a sticking caliper, I guess. I had to have them turned under warranty when new because they were warped. It would be strange that it just started up again after doing the u-joint work.

I also had the carrier bearing replaced (under warranty) a long time ago, so probably not that.

Yes, I've tried coasting (clutch in and out) and it makes no difference.

It seems to be getting more pronounced right at 15mph, starting at around 20 and tapering off after 12ish.

Very weird. I'm wondering if it's maybe the bearing hub on the u-joint I changed; maybe I did something to it when I removed or re-installed it?

 

Check the rotors..Warped rotors will make it shudder also...