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Don <don@NO-SPAMdonsautomotive.com> wrote in
news:ol5a0254f3rlqqiaitr3ku60bgomtpnovd@4ax.com:[color=blue][color=green]
>>Do you have any idea what test to determine the cause of shimmy?[/color]
> A half thousandth thickness variation will induce brake pulsation.
> Check the rear drums unless the problem includes steering wheel wobble
> induced while braking in which case it is the front brakes for sure.
> You can check the rears by applying the parking brake at speed.[/color]

Thanks Don for your advice and thanks everyone else too!
I had never thought of these two tests:
- Use the rear brake to isolate the location of the shimmy
- Note whether the steering wheel or just the brakes are affected

After test driving just now I can emphatically say that not only does the
shuddering not occur with the rear wheels, but, with all this rain, I would
never recommend jamming on the rear brake at speed on the freeway as I
skidded sideways more than a few times during my 80 mph tests.

Also, the Toyota high-speed brake shudder DOES affect the steering wheel,
although I can feel the front end body of the 4Runner shake with the seat
of my pants more than I can feel it in the steering wheel. Still, I can
feel the shimmy ever so slightly in the steering wheel.

So, now it's time to turn them or replace them. I'm inclined to replace the
Toyota rotors as they've got 50,000 miles on them already and that's more
than they typically last according to the Toyota dealership when I priced
them today.
[color=blue]
> Buy quality rotors such as Mountain or Brembo brand or Toyota OEM.
> Rotors should NOT be resurfaced out of the box.
> Shipping and handling does NOT knock rotors out of round[/color]

I hate to buy without knowing what I'm buying. I already know there is no
government or private standard for brake pads so they could put toilet
paper in there and call it friction material. It's all advertising.

Is it the same with rotors? Is there a government or private standard for
rotors that I can rely on (like that of tires, oils, greases, etc.)?

Stu