Front Tire Shake

[TylerB iZz iLL]

So a couple of days ago my brake pad wear sensor light came on. I took it to the shop to see why because I changed my pads last year. It turned out to be the rear brakes this time. Anyway while it was there they noticed that the left rear tire had abnormal wear on it (I think it is an alignment problem) and the left front tire shakes while the brakes are applied. You can just barely feel the steering wheel jerk when the brakes are first applied while going forward, but while going backwards you can’t feel anything.

What would be the most probable cause of the wheel shake? and What would cause the rear tire to be worn abnormally? The tire is almost bald on the inside of it.

Thank you in advance!

[Exige]

Front wheel shake: warped brake rotor(s)

Rear wheel issue: Rear alignment problem (assuming it was never in a rear end collision).

[flyfishvt]

Rear wheel is most likely bushings. Lower control arm bushings or Rear Trailing Arm Bushing. Since its the inside of the tire thats worn I vote for Lower Control arm.

The front is a different matter. If the steering wheel just jerks to one side when you hit the brakes then brakes normally? I vote for alignment. If the brake pedal shakes when you hit the brakes its rotors/pads. If the steering wheel shakes but the brake pedal doesn't or at least not as much as the steering wheel its ball joints/tie rods.

Dont rule out shocks and struts on all this too. How old are they?

You generally wont feel any issues in reverse because lets face it. How fast do you drive in reverse unless you are James Bond? Plus when you drive in reverse the whole car is now reversed. The front wheels now become the trailing wheels. The forces on the whole thing are reversed.

[gordononline]

For front wheel shake if you are only having a problem when you hit the brakes my guess is that the rotor is warped and needs to be fixed or replaced. If that is not the problem try replacing the front lower control arm bushings. Could also be the control arm.