Drum Brakes on a 99 Taurus; wobble the car?

**third_shift|studios** · 05-08-2007, 05:36 AM

Hey guys,

My fiance's car's drum brakes wobble the car and shake the steering wheel pretty fierce when we brake anywhere above 60 mph. Thoughts?

**rbob93** · 05-08-2007, 07:41 AM

Loose or bad steering components come to mind

**Zapper2003** · 05-08-2007, 07:26 PM

My guess is that the drums have nothing to do with the steering, as they'd be on the back of the car. Perhaps some SERIOUSLY warped rotors? Had a cousin with an Olds Alero that had a stupid-bad steering wheel wobble while braking, the rotors were way warped, needed replacing.

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-08-2007, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Zapper2003

My guess is that the drums have nothing to do with the steering, as they'd be on the back of the car. Perhaps some SERIOUSLY warped rotors?

+1 A lot of alignment shops offer free inspections. If the car's brakes have never been serviced while she's owned it I would get new brakes pads/shoes and rotors/drums and ask the mechanic to check for loose/worn suspension and steering components.

**rbob93** · 05-08-2007, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Zapper2003

My guess is that the drums have nothing to do with the steering, as they'd be on the back of the car. Perhaps some SERIOUSLY warped rotors? Had a cousin with an Olds Alero that had a stupid-bad steering wheel wobble while braking, the rotors were way warped, needed replacing.

Well guess again

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_would_...g_wheel_wobble

We're talking steering wheel shake I believe
May be the rotors.....but with the age of the vehicle I would definately check for bad steering components
Struts, tie rod ends, pitman arm, ball joints, wheel bearings etc.

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-08-2007, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by rbob93

Well guess again

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_would_...g_wheel_wobble

We're talking steering wheel shake I believe
May be the rotors.....but with the age of the vehicle I would definately check for bad steering components
Struts, tie rod ends, pitman arm, ball joints, wheel bearings etc.

I don't think anybody disputed worn out suspension components, as a matter of fact, I suggested that in post #4. Out of balance rotating assemblies such as bent or unbalanced rims would be felt regardless of brake application. I believe Zapper was referring to rear drums affecting steering wobble. The link you posted does specify front for most of its causes.

**rbob93** · 05-08-2007, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by LS1_TA_2002

I don't think anybody disputed worn out suspension components, as a matter of fact, I suggested that in post #4. Out of balance rotating assemblies such as bent or unbalanced rims would be felt regardless of brake application. I believe rbobb was referring to rear drums affecting steering wobble. The link you posted does specify front for most of its causes.

I agree the drums are on the rear.....I felt we were missing the point of bad steering components as a possibility

But it's not the first time I've been mistaken
And my apologies if I appeared rash

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-08-2007, 10:40 PM

No harm no foul. I actually meant to use zappers name not yours, sorry.

**0rion** · 05-08-2007, 11:19 PM

sounds like warped or chipped rotors. I've seen rotors have a chunk missing out them but if it's that bad you would be able to feel it at slower speeds. I would look at the front rotors first. Not that it can't be suspension components just that in my experience any problems you feel in the steering wheel when the brakes are applied are normally a front brake issue.