Help diagnose steering wheel shake

[SleepingWRX]

Here's the deal-
My gf just bought an 06 Pontiac G6 sedan and the steering wheel vibrates/shakes. This happens when you are going any speed >45 and apply the brakes. It doesn't vibrate at slower speeds when you go to stop, only higher speeds. This isn't a small vibration either, it jerks the steering wheel pretty roughly. I kinda think it might be warped rotors? The car has ~20K miles on it...could it be tires need to be balanced? It seems odd that it doesn't always do it, and it doesn't seem to make a difference from being cold or hot. She is somewhat freaking out about it b/c it's her first "new" car and it already has this small problem. I don't think it's something to get too upset about, but I want her to be safe too. I know there are alot of Pontiac owners here, anyone have any ideas?? Thanks in advance!

Click to read more...

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

where did you buy it from? take it back.


sounds like rotors to me. could be the calipers too if its going back and forth.

 

[Dasfinc]

where did you buy it from? take it back.


sounds like rotors to me. could be the calipers too if its going back and forth.

X2, sounds like typical warped rotors.

Could also have unbalanced rim/rims (My focus has 1 tire off balance right now, and only has a SLIGHT shake above 45-50, and is amplified when braking)

 

[LSx S10]

yea sounds like rotors to me. dont really feel unbalanced tires above 35. go to napa, get there premium rotors and adaptive one pads. best replacement pads money can buy.

 

[2step Performance]

Sounds like warped rotors, had an I35 that did that and it only had around 30K. It happens especially out here with our changing weather. Get a new set of rotors and maybe pads since the pads might be chewed up a bit from the warped rotors and you should be good to go.

 

[Dasfinc]

yea sounds like rotors to me. dont really feel unbalanced tires above 35.

Incorrect. Just letting you know.

 

[Spicy McHaggiz]

+4 for rotors.

And yes you can feel unbalanced tires past 35, if anything it gets worse.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

shut your whore mouth.

 

[SleepingWRX]

Thanks guys for the quick responces. Is there anyway that I can visually/physically use to figure out if they are warped at home or is it better to just take it to a shop to have them check them? I've done my fair share of brake jobs, but never fussed with figureing out if they needed to be changed(most of the time they were sqeaking b/c they were hitting the little low pad warning thingie)

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

i would pull them off and bring 'em to napa. they can tell you if they are out of spec and if they can be turned or not.

 

[SleepingWRX]

That was going to be my next question...new rotors or turn them if possible. Can autozone do the same or just napa? Anywhere else? I don't know how willing she will be to let me rip apart the brakes.(She knows I know what I'm doing, but again, her first new car so she doesn't want anything to go wrong)

 

[Dasfinc]

Again, I dunno if there is one near you, but farm and fleet does a $15 brake inspection, and if they do work on the car, its credited toward it. (They can turn brake rotors there, they aren't like some places that will only replace them)

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

napa premium rotors are some of the best aftermarket ones i've seen. thats what i would suggest.

 

[2step Performance]

You can cut rotors but some places arent good with it and the car ends up braking like ass... sometimes new rotors are so cheap that cutting old rotors isnt worth the money, time and effort.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

that and the fact they are more prone to warping again.

 

[Lord Tin Foilhat]

i agree, whenever i do brake jobs i always do pads and rotors at the same time. less of a hassle for one, and its only an extra 50 bucks or so. brakes are the only thing stopping you and i dont trust turned rotors by some kid making 8 bucks an hour

 

[Dasfinc]

that and the fact they are more prone to warping again.

Depends on brands etc.

a cheepy Autozone one is gonna be more prone to warping than a OEM one that was cut correctly.

I'd know, I went through 2 or 3 sets in less than a year on my SHO.

 

[SRT41320]

brakes are shot - prolly just rotors and pads

and a lil fyi on the tire balancing - the wifes subaru rode like a caddy until you hit 80mph - then it felt like you were riding on train tracks = LR wheel was 3.25oz. out of ballance

 

[LSx S10]

yea i dont know why i said that, mixed up not being able to feel it below 35 with above..dont ask me how.

our shop rarely turns rotors just because our machine is broken right now. we have to outsource to lee auto. and by that time what we have to pay them ends up being around the same cost as just ordering up some napa premiums which are to oem standards if not better. only thing we turn is usually large rotors or drums that arent readily available within a few hours or just too expensive.

 

[SRT41320]

yeah anytime i do a brake job its always the most expensive / mid-grade pads and the least expensive rotors - havent had a problem yet

 

[SleepingWRX]

Thanks guys. I guess it's getting pretty bad, enough to where she doesn't want to drive it anymore. She's concerned about the cost of it all, but seeing as how she is a really great gal to put up with all my work and FD stuff, I'm going to hook her up.(I can't imagine spending more than $100 for new front rotors/pads)

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

did she buy the car from a private party or from a dealer? if its a dealer i would take it back and make them do it.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

agreed, go talk to ur service dept/ salesman

 

[SleepingWRX]

Bought it from Max Madsen in Downer's Grove. I am going to look at it tomorrow with Gsteffens and go from there. Thanks guys!

 

[SleepingWRX]

Well replaced the front pads/rotors. The shake is definetly gone now. Randomly however it squels for like 1/2 second. I am guessing it's more or less just the pads "seating" on the rotors. Now at low speed there is this sound coming from the right rear end that sounds like the tire is rubbing on something. It's not, and gsteffens and myself checked it out and it seems to be ok...unless the tire is off balance? Overall pretty happy took less than 45 mins and the big problem is solved.