Seized Calipers and Steering Wheel Vibration

[hyperthread]

Hi guys,
Could a seized left/front driver side calipers could cause steering wheel vibrations when running on a highway speed? I already had my wheel balanced twice and they said that all is OK so I am thinking that my seized calipers would cause it. I know that it is seized because the rim is pretty hot compare to the front passenger side.

I am scheduled to have my calipers fixed tomorrow and I will also have my rotors replaced.

What do you think?

 

[MikeInNH]

Yes. But other things could be a problem too. Calipers....ball-joints...tie-rod ends.

Take it to some place that specializes in front-end work. Don't just start throwing parts at it and HOPE that fixes it.

How many miles on the truck??

 

[hyperthread]

Yes. But other things could be a problem too. Calipers....ball-joints...tie-rod ends.

Take it to some place that specializes in front-end work. Don't just start throwing parts at it and HOPE that fixes it.

How many miles on the truck??

Hi MikeInNH,
I need to change my calipers anyway because it is already seized. The calipers are just 6 months old but I am thinking that I live on a snow belt that is why it is happening. I am glad that it is covered with warranty. I just thought that the calipers and steering wheel vibration could be related because it just happened almost the same time.

My truck is 109,568 to be exact.

 

[hyperthread]

Problem fixed! I knew it was the calipers! I had my favorite mechanic changed the rotors, calipers, and brake pads for the 2 wheels and it is now as smooth as a hot knife on a butter! Steering wheel vibration gone!

 

[DEF4Runner]

Exhuming a dead thread....

So...I'm chasing a mild steering wheel vibration tied to the front end felt 'occasionally' at the 65-75 sweet spot. Over the course of the last 6 months or so, I've replaced pretty much everything tied to the front end suspension at the 145K mile point (LCA/UCA, bushings, coils, struts, outer tie rods, front diff pinion bearing) and took it in for a good rotate/balance/alignment.

Today, I pulled my front passenger wheel off and took a look at the caliper. 145K miles in the St Louis area hasn't been kind to the pistons. I pulled the inboard pad and had someone slowly press the brake pedal, only to find the lower piston stuck in the compressed position. I tapped it a few times and couldn't get it to squeeze so I'm pretty sure it's shot.

I've read quite a bit on the forums about how a seized caliper can sometimes create front end vibrations, but how...what's the engineering/science behind it, especially if I'm not on the brakes?

 

[Morphyne]

Uneven pad pressure during braking. BAD pad position/uneven pad wear can cause vibration. Also a dragging caliper can cause the whole hib assembly to get hot and cause a vibration.