BMW E46 Steering Wheel Shaking while braking

curiousbuyer

I've started to notice that when I am braking on say the motorway, the steering while starts to shake a fair bit. It is really noticeable when turning to the left.
In December I got new discs and front brake pads, could this be a problem with them or is it something to do with the shocks?

dharn

usually sounds like a warped disc but as they have been replaced this is unlikely other possibility could be shock absorber maybe the right one as more weight on this one when turning left and braking

Slidey

More likely to be worn steering joint or suspension joint of some kind if the discs were fitted correctly.

Nissan doctor

If it was the disks then you'd normally feel a vibration through the pedel as well.

Front wishbone bushes are a well known issue on the e46 which if badly worn could cause the problem you have. Warn track rod ends could be another cause.

listermint

I would put money on the Front Control Arm Bushes, They can be replaced seperately no need to replace the whole arm. It might only be one side gone. I replaced both on mine as a matter of maintenance.

also known as FCAB's

munsterleinster

listermint wrote: »

I would put money on the Front Control Arm Bushes,

+1

I've done it a few times. Save yourself the hassle and don't buy cheap ones from Ebay, they will go again in a few months.
Even the spurious ones from GSF didn't last.

Fairly easy job to do IF the old ones come off easily. Sometimes they just slide off if they're fairly worn. Other times they'll require a puller.
Just need a desent socket set with a 16mm socket.

Have a look here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXoBRKQeT44

PaulKK

You should be able to get the bushes cheaply enough from eurocarparts.co.uk


I think the lemforder ones are ment to be OEM.

DublinDilbert

Another sign your lower control arm bushes are shot is if your getting a clunk when you go over speed bumps (espically the small steep metal ones)

muckeyw

Bmw mechanic hear defo wishbone bushes as the lads have said dont buy cheap ones and also i do 1r2 of these bushes aday

vicwatson

Hi, I have a similar problem with an E39, it's a bit weird in that when driving say 100 km/h and I brake - no issue - yet if i'm travelling 80 km/h and I brake I have serious wheel shudder, similarly if travelling below 80 km/h I don't have any issue.

I have no shake when driving its ONLY when I touch the brakes around 80 km/h.

I've had discs changed and checked, all good, had wheels balanced, had tracking done, had it in the BMW garage and they charged me €120.00 to "diagnose the problem" then told me the steering column would need changing at a price of €2,300.00:eek: , My issue is that the wheel shake is ONLY when I touch the brake at around 80 km/h and NOT whilst driving, hard to see it's the steering column.

OP - you got a similar experience by any chance? Any advice muckeyw

PS - don't mean to hijack the thread OP

muckeyw

For vic wAtson I defo wouldn't be replacing the steering rack as that's not the problem my guess would be a inner tierod end but without seen the car hard to say but I'm always on hand to help fellow boards people out with mercedes BMW and vw problems just pm me and il do all I can thanks

ShiresV2

vicwatson wrote: »

Hi, I have a similar problem with an E39, it's a bit weird in that when driving say 100 km/h and I brake - no issue - yet if i'm travelling 80 km/h and I brake I have serious wheel shudder, similarly if travelling below 80 km/h I don't have any issue.

I have no shake when driving its ONLY when I touch the brakes around 80 km/h

It may well not be what is wrong with your car but on the 5 series this usually points to the fluid filled thrust/traction arm bushings (part 5) and/or less so the lower control arm bushings (part 11, integral to the arm). They don't last any sort of mileage on E28, E34, E39 5 series.

Could also be the ball joints on those arms or the ball joints on the steering tie rods.

I'm not a mechanic and I haven't seen your car but I can't see how the steering rack could be at fault in this instance - it's basically a big inert metal bar as far as braking forces go.

vicwatson

Thanks muckeyw (sent pm) and ShrivesV2, appreciate your comments.

Can a regular mechanic check this over and repair it for me you think or........do i need to go to those BMW main dealers again and spend a fortune....grrr?

Thanks for all help again.

muckeyw

Sent you a pm to your reply