On my friend's Disco II with about 90k miles, the steering wheel shakes when braking at about 55 mph or higher. It doesn't shake when braking at any lower speeds or when just driving at higher speeds.

Truck got new pads and rotors all the way around within the past year. Michelin Cross Terrains with even wear.

I've got some ideas (hubs, panhard bushings, tie rod ends), but thought I would post to see what things come to mind that should be checked.

 

Usual suspects are tires, hubs, driveshaft, stuck caliper, ball joint, bad alignment, tie rod ends, suspension.

 

Sound to me like the uneven brake wear from cheap pads/rotors. What brand of brakes did he use?

 

X2. Could be all the things suggested above but I would start with looking at the rotors for uneven wear. If the tires are wearing evenly and this has been going on for a few months then the front end alignment is probably fine. But you never know.

 

I would agree with looking at uneven brake ware on the rotors but it could also be the fact that the rotors heat up and cool down and go through warping when you put new one on. When I mean warping I am talking 1/10 of an inch but it makes a wobble in the steering wheel and it could go away as they seat themselves but it also could be something he has to live with if there is not any other culprit if he is not wanting to do another brake rotor job.

 

Don't know what brand parts were used.

I would wonder though, why would the brakes only make the shimmy at high speed and not all the time? If the rotor were warped doesn't it do the shimmy all the time? That has been my experience in the past on other vehicles.

Thanks again !

 

Not really. I have an 05 ford explorer that I drive to work and back and the rotors and brakes are new and I have the same problem, The steering wheel wobbles when I am stopping at 50-60 and not at 30 or 70. I took them to my machinest and he said even if I get the turned it will still wobble because they are worped barely when he is spinning them and there is not much he could do. Could be another problem in your case but that is what is going on with mine so I thought I would share.