There are several things to check for when you find that your brake pedal pulsates. One of the first things to check is your
lug nuts. Make sure the lug nuts are torqued to specifications and that they are tightened evenly around the wheel. If you find that your
front end shimmies when you apply the brakes, check your brake rotor for trueness. You can do this by removing the rotor and having an
auto shop run them on a machine built for this purpose. Sometimes the rotor will have warped enough that you can tell just by looking, but
under this circumstance you would usually have a constant shimmy where the warped rotor is rubbing against the brake pads as you drive.
It's best just to replace warped brake rotors and not have them turned. Another cause of pulsating brakes can be worn wheel bearings.
You will need to remove the brake rotors to replace the wheel bearings. Once you have removed the brake rotors, it's a good time to inspect
other brake and suspension components for damage or wear. Removing brake rotors on most vehicles is an easy task with very few special tools needed.
Lastly, check your brake calipers and mounting hardware. Brake calipers can freeze up and the brake hardware can become rusty and fail at an
inopportune time. Brake hardware kits are very inexpensive and can be purchased at your local auto parts store. Brake calipers are more
expensive but most brands are long-lasting, justifying the cost. Be sure you follow auto manual directions when working on brake components. Your life,
and that of your friends and family, depends on proper brake repair procedures. So now, if your brake pedal pulsates or shimmies, you have
the knowledge to track down the problem.