I have 40k miles on my car and on a recent trip to Reno, I experienced the steering wheel vibration (as in the NTB00-08).

I took it to my dealership and that moron said I may have to replace the rotors and pads on the front wheels (and charged me $45 for just checking it out). I was curious as the dealer is quite good @ putting thro large bills on the customer. So, I took the car to Pep Boys (they did the brake checkup for free) and they told me there should be something else wrong in the car and not the brakes.

These were the nos from Pep Boys:

Brake Pads : 5/32" (i.e 4-5mm) on front and rear pads.
Rotors : LF RF LR RR
1.020 1.017 0.335 0.335

All looks fine, but I just don't understand why my dealer is taking me a ride. My wife thinks we should service the car by another dealership (I hope the moron realises that some customers are smarter than him)....

Any thoughts...

 

When do you notice the steering wheel vibration?

 

Well I shall give out more details to the problem....

Downhill braking from 80-90 mph down to 50-60 mph, I see the steering wheel shake and it is quite disturbing and annoying..

I don't experience any problems while braking when the m/c is @ low speeds for example 60 mph to 10-20 mph...

I don't understand the problem and I am thinking of getting a rental car on long vacations...

 

It sounds like you have the ever-poular warped rotors. Most 2k-2k1 maximas have this problem at some point.

 

When you experience steering wheel vibration during braking usually leads to warp rotors. You most likely need to get your rotors tuned or replaced. New brake pads may be in order too.

Your car is at that point where you should think about getting your rotors worked on if you are having that problem.

Peace.

 

NTB00-88 addresses the judder, but at 40k, it's out of warranty. So, you're SOL.

 

Yup I had the exact thing. Had all 4 rotors and pads replaced (I think up to 36k dealer is supposed to do it for FREE) and the problem hasnt returned. This was done at 24k and its now at 45 k with no problems. Unfourtunately I doubt they do it for free over that, and trust me...they KNOW about this problem. All they are doing is looking at your mileage and saying to themselfs "we dont have to do it for nothing". If I was you I'd find the best brake shop in town and take it to them. I know it'l be expensive, but if you hit the brakes at 80 hard...you need them to act civil...mine were so bad I almost lost control. Suxx but its just part of ownin a 2k max. Aside of that and the 6 coils TSB I had done(pinging under hard acelleration)...no other problems to speak of with the car at all.

 

Yup, I had warped rotors (and violently vibrating steering wheel/chassis) so badly I almost slammed somebody in stop'n'go traffic. New rotors + pads == orgasmically better.
I have a very subtle vibration in my steering wheel at high speed, but I think my wheels/tires need rotation/rebalancing...

 

Yeah I went through it @ 24 K and didn't know about the TSB so I got slammed for a full break JOB.
Now I have it again @ 47 K and tried to get something towards it and they don't even aknowlege the first service.
SCREW Them:
I just put on Powerslots and Hawk pads. (Beutifull)

 

ugh... ouch. I saved myself $$ down the road and bought new brakes (Raybestos--not "performance" stuff, but certainly better than the crapass stock ****) and installed them myself

 

you know what bro... i had the exact same problem on my 2k1 and i had 33k on it... i took it to the dealer and they said they'll charge 80 bukcs for diagnosis so i gave them the finger... then i took it to my freind derrick's house and we took off the wheels and checked the rotor... they werent warped.. we just changed the brakes and put some Raybestos Quiet stop ones on and now it works like new..
Rotors dont get warped that quickly.. so i suggest just changin the brakes and you should be fine

FYI if u wana check if your rotors are warpped or not .. jus take off your wheel and glid your fingers across and around the rotors .. if you feel bumps and waves then they are warrped if not your fine

 

Actually rotors should be checked using a runout gauge. Grooves in the rotor do not mean the rotor is warped. Any brake shop can do this and give you the runout value. The service manual specifies maximum allowable runout.

 

Where can I read up on the brake TSB (as well as others)? My rotors definitely feel warped...a MAJOR pulsation with moderate to heavy braking. I want to be somewhat informed before I go to my dealership.

Tony

 

Our 2000 Max has 59,000 miles. Had the warped rotors replaced
under the standard warrenty. A few months ago I noticed the
steering wheel shake on hard breaking at high speed. Took it
to the dealer and they informed me of worn rear breaks. Replaced
the pads on the rear and the shake is history.

 

I have already had my brakes/rotors replaced 3 three times from the dealer. At 14500 (when I first purchased car), at 34000, and just recently at 48000. Right now I am at 57000, and the judder has returned. Given I drive hard, but I don't believe that it's my braking that is ruining the rotors. I think it's time for aftermarket...

 

I had my front rotors resurfaced and brake pads replaced by Pep Boys and I took my car on a vacation to Monterey Bay along the 17mile drive and the steering wheel shake has disappeared.

I had 1mm taken off my LF and 2mm taken off my LR and with Raybestos QS pads, my puppy drives like it has had a face lift..

Anyone with steering wheel shakes should seriously think of checking the front rotors and if resurfacing is needed, go ahead and change the pads since most of the assembly is removed to do the resurfacing job.

Enjoy...

 

where is the best place to get Raybestos pads these days?

-MLM

 

the problem is the rotors.

 

Molloy : You could get the Raybestos QS from the parts store attached to any Pep Boys repair shop and install them.

Since, I haven't done a brake job in my life I paid the $150 to resurface the rotors and replace the pads.

I would suggest that this is worth the effort (well sitting there for close to 2 hrs is the sad part)....

Later.

 

yeah, Pep Boys deals with Raybestos as their premium brake brand.