My '96 6.5L TD steering wheel shakes when I hit the brakes. I have recently changed rotors and brake pads maybe 5k mi ago. The brake pedal does not pulse or anything just the steering wheel and if I look out the driver window when it is shaking I can see the driver front wheel shaking. I have read in other posts that the steering damper could cause this also. Any input is greatly appreciated.

it could be your steering and pitman arms going out. one way to check is to jack up the passenger side. leave the driver font on the ground. grab the passenger tire and try to turn it. it should be tight and not want to budge but a little. but if it moves more than an inch you need to replace them. ive done it twice on a tahoe. the truck would shimmy if you hit a pot hole or were braking. rides like new again.

Have you chked wheel bearing?

yes, the wheel bearings have been replaced just before the rotors were done.
I've also checked the front end and everything seems to be tight.
I don't know I'm at a loss right now. I'm going to try the steering damper this weekend.

How are the tires, are they properly balanced? How is the wear, some cupping on the tread can massacre the ride of a truck.

yes, the wheel bearings have been replaced just before the rotors were done.
I've also checked the front end and everything seems to be tight.
I don't know I'm at a loss right now. I'm going to try the steering damper this weekend.

Did you replace them or have a shop do it? Just for the hell of it I would chk them again. Just cuz they were new doesn't mean one did not take a shit. I think we all have experence that problem in the past at some time.
Good Luck

My '96 6.5L TD steering wheel shakes when I hit the brakes. I have recently changed rotors and brake pads maybe 5k mi ago. The brake pedal does not pulse or anything just the steering wheel and if I look out the driver window when it is shaking I can see the driver front wheel shaking. I have read in other posts that the steering damper could cause this also. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I am having the same problem on my Suburban, I just change the front rotors and problem solved. But you say that you already did it.
May you drive on wet areas and have those rotors too hot and already bent.

My '96 6.5L TD steering wheel shakes when I hit the brakes. I have recently changed rotors and brake pads maybe 5k mi ago. The brake pedal does not pulse or anything just the steering wheel and if I look out the driver window when it is shaking I can see the driver front wheel shaking. I have read in other posts that the steering damper could cause this also. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I am having the same problem on my Suburban, I just change the front rotors and problem solved. But you say that you already did it.
May you drive on wet areas and have those rotors too hot and already bent.

My guess is you got the cheapo aftermarket rotors, they are thinner
than OEM and warp easily - if the wheel shakes when brakes are
applied, there IS a warped rotor - anyting else would shake
all the time

Problem solved! Finally during the third alignment the guy doing found a worn out lower ball joint. Changed it out drives smooth as ever again.