vibration in steering wheel when braking

[brentk]

I'm hoping someone out there can help me out. I have a 2000 I30 w 100K miles. I started getting a vibration in my steering wheel when braking at high speeds. I replaced the pads and rotors and the vibration is still there. Calipers seems fine. Any ideas what else to look at?

Also, I know the rear calipers need to be turned to retract but how much effort should this take? I have the tool required and I cannot get it to budge. Sign that the caliper is locked up and needs to be replaced?

Thanks to anyone out there that can help me out.

[MaximA32]

Which rotors and pads did you replace? If you only replaced one axle, I'd replace the other. As for the caliper not turning back in, it does take a little bit of effort to do it but it really depends on your definition "effort". Effort to me is veins bulging and teeth grinding so, lol. If you're putting an inordinate amount of effort into it, I'd say replace the calipers.

[brentk]

I only replaced the front because I was told that a vibration in the steering wheel would come from the front end. Do you think that frozen calipers, bad pads or rotors in the rear could also be causing vibration in the steering wheel?

[rotorimp]

Get your rotors turned again and torque down the lugs evenly to factory spec. I warped a brand new set of rotors once by not torquing them down properly. On the stuck caliper--is it the one where you have to turn it in clockwise to get it to go in?

[brentk]

Thanks. So you are pretty sure the problem is in the rotors? Do you what factory specs are for torquing the lug nuts? No idea it was that important.

Yes - it is the rear caliper that seems to be stuck. I tried the tool and pair of pliars (which worked last time) and it didn't even budge this time. Sounds like it just needs to be replaced huh?

Thanks again for all your help

Just to make sure, is there anything else you can think of on the steering wheel vibration besides rotors?

[maxhopper]

Your problem sure sounds like warped rotors. When you take your car in, tell them you want to check the run out on the rotors to see if they need to be turned.

Also see if your brake pads were bedded in. It's a process of taking the car up to about 60mph and braking to a stop a few times, mixed with driving in between to make sure the brake system doesn't get too hot. Bedding the brakes in when they are new helps them conform better to the rotor.

If the rotors don't need to be turned, it's likely a problem with your steering or suspension.

I torque my lugs to 75ft/lbs.