[Ghilie]

Starting this past weekend when I apply the brakes firmly I'm getting a pulsation and vibration in the truck especially as I come to a complete stop. After coming to a complete stop the truck will vibrate briefly on acceleration.

I changed out of the rotors, calipers and pads around November. Around the same time I had an ABS sensor go in the front, I never got around to buying a new one, so I just pulled the fuse and went on my way without any problems. This Monday, after noticing the pulsations over the weekend, I changed the rear brakes shoes and changed all the springs. New brake fluid has been added and all lines have been bled. Both the rotors and the pads were given a once over and they seem perfect. Even wear on everything, no signs of anything wrong. No fluid loss in any of the lines.

Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong? Am I totally ignorant and missing something? Is it ABS related? 04' 111k 5 spd.

Thanks a ton to anyone giving their input.

 

[Bitumen Bullet]

ABS? With fuse pulled? I don't think so, but then I don't know that system very well.

Could be rotors. I've warped new rotors before, might be because there are more cheap rotors out there, or they are trying to make them lighter. Many of todays rotors need to be used carefully, do not brake heavily to a complete stop, do not sit at a light with brakes on a hot rotor, avoid heating them and driving through puddles, let them cool down between heavy uses.

Other causes of warping include stuck or sticky calipers that can result in over or uneven heating. Calipers need to be loose and sometimes, most times it seems, shops will not clean the pins, holes, replace rubber and grease like they should. On new ones they can feel good but stiffen up if not enough grease is used or water gets pass the rubber. Easy to check though. Spread the pads away from the rotor and the caliper should be easy to move around by hand.

If the pulsation only happens under braking I would start by looking at brakes but if there are other symptoms, like odd tire wear, shimmy in corners or poor tracking it can be suspension or steering related.

edit: First I'd rule out the rotors by giving them a though inspection and checking the run out by spinning them and using a dial gauge or just hold something really close to the rotor while you turn it.