Brake issues - end of my wits!

[mdat25]

Hi all,

I have a 2003 x5 4.4i - in a pretty awesome shape. Bought it as a second car a couple of months ago (from its only owner ever) and has no problems except for one: the steering wheel shakes when braking.

The obvious answer was of course rotors. Got those changed - with OEM parts mind you - along with the front pads at a reputable, national car repair chain. Unfortunately, the shaking of the steering wheel did not stop (again only during hard braking). Took the car back and they said that the lower control arms and the bushings were in a bad shape and that could be causing it. Again, got those changed, too. But the problem persisted. Finally, the shop said that it could be that the rotors they installed were somewhat warped to start with, so (you guessed it) they installed another set of new rotors and pads.

Then, we did wheel balancing, another alignment, and prayed to every car god that the problem was finally exorcised!

Unfortunately, that didn't work either - although it did get better. The only time the wheel shakes now (rather violently too) is when braking hard on freeway, right around 60mph.

I have asked them to look at front suspension, the caliper pistons, and anything else I could think of. They said they saw no issues.

Can anyone think of anything else that could be the source? Car has around 190k but mostly highway miles and again, in pretty good shape.

Thanks!

[Joshdub]

I would take it to another shop. The braking at high speeds sounds like control arm bushings, but presumably those are find since they were just replaced.

[bcredliner]

While it doesn't usually happen with OEM pads and rotors, it could be that you can correct the problem by running the pads in again. Not everyone agrees on how that should be done but I suggest braking from 60mph to almost stopped 6 times at increasing pedal pressure each time. Drive a short distance each time before doing it again and drive several miles without stopping to let the rotors cool when done. A test that indicates the problem is likely in the brake components is to hit the brakes at 60 or more and when it starts to shake let off the brakes and quickly apply them harder, it should stop shaking. That is not necessarily the case if the problem is a sticking caliper but it will help narrow it down.

[Scott ZHP]

When was the last time the ball joints in the steering knuckle were replaced? Also, it takes about two minutes to measure the runout of a rotor using a dial indicator; kind of surprised a shop just threw parts at it.

Wheel bearings making any noise when turning left or right?

[Ricky Bobby]

They wouldn't know if you had a sticking caliper unless they popped the pistons out - slightly sticking calipers are a bitch to diagnose -

Did they torque the new control arms with the vehicle weight loaded on the suspension? If its torqued on the lift it won't be right and possibly could be an issue.

I'd make sure every bushing and control arm in the front was changed out at that mileage -

[Rockit]

If they are OEM parts or German aftermarket by the same OEM manufacture than if it were me I would look for collision damage.

You said you just bought a good condition one.

I have a 02 4.4 and I've replace the entire wearable front end and some parts even twice at 95k. Other parts I changed twice with only 10k on them.

There are two sets of front control arms on that model.....see which ones they changed.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

When was the last time the ball joints in the steering knuckle were replaced?

Ball joints were the problem in mine when it behaved exactly as described.

2002 X5 3.0 307,700 miles
2014 428i 21,200 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

[electricalserv x5]

Originally Posted by mdat25

Hi all,

I have a 2003 x5 4.4i - in a pretty awesome shape. Bought it as a second car a couple of months ago (from its only owner ever) and has no problems except for one: the steering wheel shakes when braking.

The obvious answer was of course rotors. Got those changed - with OEM parts mind you - along with the front pads at a reputable, national car repair chain. Unfortunately, the shaking of the steering wheel did not stop (again only during hard braking). Took the car back and they said that the lower control arms and the bushings were in a bad shape and that could be causing it. Again, got those changed, too. But the problem persisted. Finally, the shop said that it could be that the rotors they installed were somewhat warped to start with, so (you guessed it) they installed another set of new rotors and pads.

I had the same on my 4.8is , it was the steThen, we did wheel balancing, another alignment, and prayed to every car god that the problem was finally exorcised!

Unfortunately, that didn't work either - although it did get better. The only time the wheel shakes now (rather violently too) is when braking hard on freeway, right around 60mph.

I have asked them to look at front suspension, the caliper pistons, and anything else I could think of. They said they saw no issues.

Can anyone think of anything else that could be the source? Car has around 190k but mostly highway miles and again, in pretty good shape.

Thanks!

I had the same on my 2006 4.8is , it was the steering linkage to the rack and pinion , it was price but it is fine for my k miles.

[keduMINI]

Originally Posted by mdat25

The obvious answer was of course rotors. Got those changed...at a reputable, national car repair chain.

Took the car back and they [replaced] the [bad] lower control arms and the bushings...

Then, wheel balancing, another alignment...[and the problem persisted]

Is the reputable car chain company the one diagnosing the persistent problem after they take the car for a test run? Does it run well after their test run, but acts up with you only? The integrity of all the steering components (ball joints, rack, and suspension among them) should be easily diagnosed by a reputable company. A symptom of shaking during braking is generally related to the brakes, but if the history of front end maintenance is unknown, then any loose/worn front-end component or steering linkage is a possible source. Bottom line, the mechanics have to take the car for a test drive under the conditions which you describe the shaking before returning it to you. If they have a good reputation, then they should be able to source the problem.

[g300d]

One thing to add, I noticed that these trucks are pretty sensitive to the condition of their bushings/joints.

Just a bit of deterioration is enough to have a noticeable effect on driving dynamics IME.

I had a shaking sometimes on highway braking and replacing the front transverse arm bushings fixed it. Visual inspection showed they were intact but had some micro cracks. Perfectly serviceable on other cars I've had, but caused problems in this case.