BAD SHIMMY ON FRONT WHEEL

[JKMSPYDER]

Lately I have developed a bad shimmy in the right front wheel when braking hard. I had Joe Meyer look at it when I was at the Red Rocks rally. Joe checked the A arms, bushings, and ball joints. He determined I had a bad upper ball joint. I had it replaced by my dealer and it helped some, but is still very noticeable when I brake hard. I’m thinking it might be a warped rotor. Any ideas?

[cptjam]

You still need an alignment, but checking the rotor is simple:
remove wheel, two bolts holding the caliper. Remove caliper, then rotor slips off. Put on a glass surface. Try to slip a feeler guage in. If it is flat, we can eliminate that. If the guage slips under, your rotor is warped. Flip over, try other side. Most mirrors are flat enough; grab the bathroom mirror. Continue to eliminate possibilities until you find the defect.
Or, bring it back to me. I’ll square it away!! Joe

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

You still need an alignment, but checking the rotor is simple:
remove wheel, two bolts holding the caliper. Remove caliper, then rotor slips off. Put on a glass surface. Try to slip a feeler guage in. If it is flat, we can eliminate that. If the guage slips under, your rotor is warped. Flip over, try other side. Most mirrors are flat enough; grab the bathroom mirror. Continue to eliminate possibilities until you find the defect.
Or, bring it back to me. I’ll square it away!! Joe

... however , if you don't have a feeler gauge just use a piece of paper ( thin with a sharp edge ) .... If this is a new development, ...DO you have KENDA tires and what it the mileage on them .... defective tires don't always show up when new ...if a belt has slipped or worse a cord broken this can be the cause .....jmho .... Mike

[UtahPete]

Did you read through this thread? It's not uncommon. I get it sometimes when braking in a turn.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ration+braking

[JKMSPYDER]

Thanks for the responses. I have new Hankook tires on the front, so I don't believe it is the tires. It was doing it before when I had the Kendas. I have checked the A arms, bushings, and wheels by pulling and tugging. Also checked the steering by turning side to side. I will check the rotors with the feeler gauge or paper method. Thanks Joe, Mike, and Pete.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks for the responses. I have new Hankook tires on the front, so I don't believe it is the tires. It was doing it before when I had the Kendas. I have checked the A arms, bushings, and wheels by pulling and tugging. Also checked the steering by turning side to side. I will check the rotors with the feeler gauge or paper method. Thanks Joe, Mike, and Pete.

OK thanks for this info .... If this wasn't occurring after you put the Hankook's on and had them balanced, then check to see if any weights have come off....this doesn't happen often , but could be an issue here ..... Mike

[SPYD3R]

I had the exact same issue on the left.... checked, and found my brake pads on the left were down to the metal, and i only had about 7000 miles on it at the time.....
Dan P
SPYD3R

[JayBros]

I don't know about Spyders but in the automobile industry some vehicles have been very susceptible warped rotors as the result of overtorqued lug nuts. Techs with air guns can be trouble.

[Don K]

Lately I have developed a bad shimmy in the right front wheel when braking hard. I had Joe Meyer look at it when I was at the Red Rocks rally. Joe checked the A arms, bushings, and ball joints. He determined I had a bad upper ball joint. I had it replaced by my dealer and it helped some, but is still very noticeable when I brake hard. I’m thinking it might be a warped rotor. Any ideas?

I had the exact same thing going on with my Spyder.
It was warped rotaries.
Had them changed and new pads installed.
Made a world of difference.

[Rattlebars]

Check for runnout with a dial indicator. Simple tool to make. Good for rotors, wheels & tires.

I don't know about Spyders but in the automobile industry some vehicles have been very susceptible warped rotors as the result of overtorqued lug nuts. Techs with air guns can be trouble.

Don't see how that would affect the rotor on cars. Lugs are not connected to the meat. It's more the fault of the crappy alloy they use for the rotors. Spouseling is hard on brakes, pads and rotors because of driving style. Needed to change them frequently on all cars she drove until I began to use these cross drilled and slotted rotors: >CLICK ME< Pricey but cheaper than replacing every 6 months. Get pads to match.

[Peteoz]

Wow......how simple and clever is THAT, Rattlebars

Pete

[Motorcycledave]

If it only does it when braking, you can bet it's a warped roter

Lately I have developed a bad shimmy in the right front wheel when braking hard. I had Joe Meyer look at it when I was at the Red Rocks rally. Joe checked the A arms, bushings, and ball joints. He determined I had a bad upper ball joint. I had it replaced by my dealer and it helped some, but is still very noticeable when I brake hard. I’m thinking it might be a warped rotor. Any ideas?

[Steamer]

I had the same problem. Warped rotors. Baja Ron and EBC rotor and pads solved the problem and provided better braking.

[JKMSPYDER]

Recently I replaced my front rotors with the rotors from BajaRon and also replaced brake pads all around. What a difference!! No shake or shimmy from the front wheels no matter how hard I brake. Problem solved!!!!

[ofdave]

these comments are interesting

found these and after reading them a couple times, some of what is said supports almost all opinions

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/warped-rotors-myth/

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...nd-other-myths

anyway, just adding fuel to the fore

[JKMSPYDER]

After reading the two articles I will accept the fact that my rotors were not warped. But replacing the rotors and pads did solve my problem. Probably a more expensive fix than it needed to be.

[cptjam]

Done is good! I’m glad it is fixed, and look forward to seeing you again!

[ofdave]

After reading the two articles I will accept the fact that my rotors were not warped. But replacing the rotors and pads did solve my problem. Probably a more expensive fix than it needed to be.

the peace of mind after eliminating the problem has a great value.
wouldn't let it bother me,