Brake judder.

[P38 2.5DSE]I'm getting violent brake judder, its worse when I'm braking from say 50 mph car the car will continue to shake.
Also when under soft braking I get a slight judder, IE brake goes on off on off and so on.

Could this be a simple brake disc warped and need of replacing?

it could be or it could be suspention joints or steering joints or it could be bushes

You apply the brakes and have a judder....so common sence says, look at the brakes.

Are they old, worn, etc?

Change the brakes first before you get all confused that you may need a new assisted brake drum caliper servo drive master thread valve linear rod......nut!

Suggest 1st have general check of all steering links, suspension bushes, check for play in steering column etc. But I had similar problems coupla months after replacing worn discs on my rangie. I fitted after market discs. (read cheap) Vibration started few weeks later. Putting a straight edge across discs showed no problems but, I replaced them anyway. Now all smooth again. This time i was less stingy and used Mintex discs. Think most branded discs ok, but am going to avoid non-named cheapos in future. As you obviously are doing something about it this isn`t for you, but antone who ignores problems like this will be provoking premature wear all over the shop! Good luck.

gtland said:

Suggest 1st have general check of all steering links, suspension bushes, check for play in steering column etc. But I had similar problems coupla months after replacing worn discs on my rangie. I fitted after market discs. (read cheap) Vibration started few weeks later. Putting a straight edge across discs showed no problems but, I replaced them anyway. Now all smooth again. This time i was less stingy and used Mintex discs. Think most branded discs ok, but am going to avoid non-named cheapos in future. As you obviously are doing something about it this isn`t for you, but antone who ignores problems like this will be provoking premature wear all over the shop! Good luck.

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Most important thing to remember when fitting new discs and pads, no matter of what quality is NO harsh braking (except in an emergancy) for the first 200-250 miles. Until the pads and discs wear together (bed in) there are high spots on both components, these high spots cause a concentrated heat buildup in one area and can cause discs to warp. After market components may not have the same high machining specs as high end components so are more likely to suffer from initial miss use. The only suitable way to check discs is with a DTi. Rulers are not good enough.

PS. Even old sound but slightly worn discs can be ruined when fitting new pads to them if a bed in period is not observed.

I checked all the bushings etc, I think what gives it away is slow braking judder, IE when braking you can feel the car brake, off, brake, off ever so slightly.

I will buy the mintex disc and pad set, and see how it goes.