I need help my 2000 grand Cherokee Laredo from time to time will start shimmying at 40 mph and heats up. It acts like it is in 4 wheel drive low but I will pull over and shift it in all gears and it still shimmys and the front axle gets smoking hot and then it just starts driving g fine. Any idea what would cause it? The only way I know it is going to happen you can smell it , it smells like burning brakes. I'm at a loss any help would be great.

 

Welcome to CF!

It IS burning brakes!

It sounds to me like your brake calipers are sticking. Clean and lube the slider pins. You might even have a stuck piston. Chances are your 2000 has the Teves calipers which are a problem to begin with. Your best bet is to replace them with Akebono calipers. I've tried to get along with my Teves calipers for over 60K miles, but have finally given up. When I get the cash, I'm changing over to Akebono. I've been chasing brake squeaks and dust filled wheels too long.

This is the first vehicle with dual piston calipers I've ever owned and the first one with constant brake problems. The change-over is easy with just the calipers and mounting brackets.

 

Thank you but wouldn't it pull to one side if it was a stuck calipers and why does it shimmy at 40 mph and high and not lower speed. I've been wanting to Change the calipers when I changed the brake pads the last time the dual calipers were a pain and hard to push in and looked rusty. I will change the calipers and see how it does.