Bad shudder when braking...

[underwhelmed]

I've noticed over the past few months on my mountain trips I'm getting bad shudder in back the truck when hard braking. Really noticeable when downhill. Have an appointment to have brake pads and rotors replaced Sep 16th. Appointment includes checking this shudder issue.

Yesterday's trip I noticed the entire bed shaking during hard braking. Saw it in the mirror.

Brake pads and rotors within spec during 60K maintenance last week.

Anybody got any ideas? Could it be the drive shaft slip joint? I am getting worse clunking back there when slowing down these days?

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[AzScorpion]

My first thought based on others with the similar problem was the slip joint too. Have you lubed it yet? If not I'd give that a try and then go from there.

 

[Rp930]

My rear rotors were terrible. Same symptoms.

 

[underwhelmed]

My first thought based on others with the similar problem was the slip joint too. Have you lubed it yet? If not I'd give that a try and then go from there.

No, I have a lifetime powertrain warranty from the dealer I bought it from so I let them do all the maintenance. Don't want the trying get out of their deal because i did something.

 

[underwhelmed]

My rear rotors were terrible. Same symptoms.

Thanks. My first thought was warped rear rotors which is weird because on previous vehicles it was usually the front brakes that were issue, not the rears.

 

[Rp930]

Thanks. My first thought was warped rear rotors which is weird because on previous vehicles it was usually the front brakes that were issue, not the rears.

25k miles. Pads were fine. Reused them.

 

[Bsenecal]

Thanks. My first thought was warped rear rotors which is weird because on previous vehicles it was usually the front brakes that were issue, not the rears.

Agreed, I had this same issue on my 2019 Ranger and the shop thought the cause was the rear axle leaking and that caused the rotors to warp.
Had the rear brakes done at 44k, then brought to dealer to replace the rear axle which was under warranty still.
Brian

 

[RedlandRanger]

I've been having a bit of a shudder when braking - more pronounced when downhill - nothing in the steering wheel which makes me think rear rotors. I have a suspicion of what caused it - One winter I experimented with snow mode - it worked GREAT in some deep snow, but when we stopped something smelled REALLY, REALLY hot -I'm thinking maybe it was using (overusing?) the rear brakes which might have caused them to overheat and warp. I haven't run a runout gauge on them yet but would like to soon. Last time I checked the pads were fine.

 

[LawnMM]

Snow mode shouldn't be overusing your brakes, however, I believe this is why they DO tell you to disable traction control in bad snowy conditions.

Traction control constantly pumps and brakes all around to keep the vehicle straight, well if the snow is deep and traction is poor, that could be a lot of braking

That's when it's best to long press disable that stuff, turn on 4x4 and go slow, which also btw I believe disables traction control automatically

I'm sure somebody will check me on that

 

[RedlandRanger]

Snow mode shouldn't be overusing your brakes, however, I believe this is why they DO tell you to disable traction control in bad snowy conditions.

Traction control constantly pumps and brakes all around to keep the vehicle straight, well if the snow is deep and traction is poor, that could be a lot of braking

That's when it's best to long press disable that stuff, turn on 4x4 and go slow, which also btw I believe disables traction control automatically

I'm sure somebody will check me on that

The snow was deep (over a foot deep) and traction was incredibly bad. I guess I'm not a good enough snow driver - I was struggling to make progress which is when I enabled snow mode and trail control which was quite honestly amazing. It wasn't until we stopped when we both smelled something. It could have been something else, but it was definitely something hot and it kind of seems like my shudder started about that same time.

 

[underwhelmed]

Agreed, I had this same issue on my 2019 Ranger and the shop thought the cause was the rear axle leaking and that caused the rotors to warp.
Had the rear brakes done at 44k, then brought to dealer to replace the rear axle which was under warranty still.
Brian

Was there any visual significance leaking axle like diff fluid anywhere?

 

[Bsenecal]

Was there any visual significance leaking axle like diff fluid anywhere?

Yes there was and it was on the rotor.
Brian

 

[underwhelmed]

My rotors look great. No leaks I can see.

 

[Tom_C]

My truck shutters a tad when breaking. 22K miles. I feel it in the pedal, not really in the truck itself. I just chocked it up to brakes/pads. I've had that in other vehicles so just expect that's what it is.

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