I just put new pads and rotors in the front. In the rear I have pads and rotors with about 15,000 miles on them. I'm still getting a slight shimmy in the steering wheel when I brake. Could this be cause by the rear rotors or is it only the fronts that cause the steering pulsation?

Thanks.

 

Might want to get your wheels balanced. Same problem with mine on the shimmy.

 

They are balanced. I know this topic has been talked about to death, but I'm asking whether the rear rotors can cause the pulsation in the steering.

 

well it could be causeing the fluid to pump back and forth ever-so-slightly in the lines (if the rears are in fact warped) almost causeing a ABS effect thoughout the system causeing the fronts to vibrate...

 

I really doubt this... I think it's a far fetched theory because after the caliper piston is retracted, there's nothing that would make it follow the contour of a warped rotor. Besides, the way the system is built *if* any fluid were to flow in the opposite direction it would only end up in the master cylinder and not pumped directly to other wheel cylinders.

The easiest way to see if your rear rotors are warped is to **gently** pull on the e-brake at a slow speed (15 MPH) and see if you feel a vibration. I still doubt it since about 80% of your braking is done with the front brakes. In general, vibrations in the steering wheel are caused by something in the front suspension.

Try this - jack up the car and loosen your front lug nuts. Gently shake the wheel as you hand tighten each lug nut. after all of them are tight, torque the lug nuts down. Repeat on the other side in the front.

Sometimes, the wheel doesn't center perfectly if the lug nuts are not tightened evenly and in a star pattern. This is especially true when an impact wrench is used.

 

I'd imagine if it's bad enough you'd feel something. Part of Nissan's TSB for the rotor warpage involves checking the rears for warpage using the parking brake I think...

 

If you feel the vibration in your seat then it's the rears, in the stearing wheel then it's the fronts.

 

Seized caliper and warped rotor. No shimmy only noise like taking off jet.

 

Damn that rotor is Sizzled....