# Front end feels shimmy when I brake

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, 1500\
**Created:** [August 11, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878 "2009-08-11T07:07:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sickytwisted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@sickytwisted](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sickytwisted)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878/1 "2009-08-11T07:07:13Z")

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I have a 1995 chevy cheyenne. When I stop at any speed, the front end feels shimmy, its a side to side motion. I just had it aligned. can anybody help. I haven’t removed the rotors but they look fine. I want to fix it but I don’t know what the problem is. I’d like some help please.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878/2 "2009-08-11T11:13:38Z")

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This sounds like warped front brake rotors. You can’t see it with the naked eye. A mechanic can check the rotors with a dial indicator to determine whether or not they’re warped.

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**Author:** ![sickytwisted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@sickytwisted](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sickytwisted)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878/3 "2009-08-11T20:57:06Z")

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so if they are warped, what fixes that? What makes them warp to begin with?

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878/4 "2009-08-11T21:01:06Z")

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The fix is either machining of the rotors’ surfaces (if there’s enough metal) or replacement of the rotors (most shops on most cars simply replace them).

That also means new pads and it means you need to do both sides. In short, you need a good ol’ fashioned brake job!

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**Author:** ![dadman4444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@dadman4444](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dadman4444)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end-feels-shimmy-when-i-brake/34878/5 "2009-08-11T21:04:53Z")

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I haven’t owned this vehicle but I’m betting your problem IS with the rotors. I had a 95 Buick that had similar effect except there was a lot of pulsing. When I replaced the rotors that did the trick.