serious steering wheel vibration '07

[obeythelaw]

Over the last 500 miles or so I've noticed that my 2007 Camry SE V6's steering wheel will vibrate when reach about 55 MPH or higher and then apply the brakes. I've been reading that it could be warped rotors. I have about 26,000 miles on it. Anyone else experience this? I know its still under warranty, but what does something like this entail and is it expensive without the warranty?

[atobe]

i'm sure they'll fix it for free

[toyomoho]

If the steering shakes when putting on the brakes, look at the rotors. The dealer can check run out with an indicator gage. Rotors and pads are easy to replace, this can be a fairly straightforward DIY job. Toyota OEM rotors are a bit pricey, after market rotors more reasonable at around $60 each, OEM pads about $60.

The rotors can be turned on the car, but pricing on aftermarket rotors is about the same cost as having them turned. See what the dealer says about warranty repairs, if they say no see what price they quote.

Also a few posts at the bottom of this page on steering wheel vibration.

[marc780]

Yeah he's right, this is probably a warranty issue. Its not unusual to warp rotors even at this mileage. On my Solara the rotors still looked good, but weren't good, same vibrating pedal problem as you. New rotors fixed it.

Toyota OEM rotors are a bit pricey, after market rotors more reasonable at around $60 each, OEM pads about $60.

Just did mine wife Solara, almost the same thing as Camry i think (even though the parts guy said the parts numbers are different) - anyways the rotors were $21 each and the pads (they only had the good ceramic ones) were $50 from Kragen. The good ones come with the shims installed at least and they haven't made any brake noise. For my own Camry i go for the cheaper ones and take my chances, use the blue goo and usually there's no noise problems no matter what they are made of/

Use the little packet of brake grease where they say and if you change the rotors, put some little bit of that same grease, or anti sieze compound, on the back inside of rotor and the holes but only where it touches the hub (so it doesnt sieze up next time you go to change it). Keep it off the brake surface of course.