Brake issues - end of my wits!

[Meinhold]

Check your tires, rotate them se if there is a change.

[Sundevil]

I am also having the exact same problem. I have replaced all 4 rotors, pads. I bought the 10 piece Lemforder control arm kit and replaced everything except the steering tie rod assembly. The shake is a lot better, but still there when braking hard on the freeway. Around town it drives fine. Do you think the tie rods could be the problem??

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by mdat25

Hi all, I have a 2003 x5 4.4i - in a pretty awesome shape. Car has around 190k but mostly highway miles and again, in pretty good shape. Thanks!

Whew that's some miles for sure. I gotta say that coming on this forum
looking for answers for a vehicle with 190K could be considered a crap shoot.
Perhaps the course of least resistance might be a trip to the dealer for a
coupon front end inspection. The dealer gives these inspection discounts
to get you in later for repairs but the inspection reveals a lot about the
condition of your vehicle. After you have the report in hand just pick and
choose what you can afford to repair with your indy. Just keep quiet
and don't let on about what work others have performed. People on this
site like to bash the dealer but let's face it they do have good training.
You just need to know how to use them to your advantage. I've had them
diagnose issues before then got the problem repaired at my indy. It was
worth the few dollars spent not having to guess about a problem I couldn't solve.

Wish you success.

[mdat25]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

Some of you had noted the high miles. This is not my primary vehicle. Bought this as a "project car" but glad I can drive it while I get my hands dirty, too. So, yes it is an older car (with lots of miles) but I am having fun working on it. Spent the past 11 months in the hospital with cancer at 39 so now that I am out, I am glad to finally be able to live this little dream of playing part-time mechanic!

Now, a few more details:
1) Some of you suggested rotating all tires. Have done that, along with balancing etc... Didn't help.
2) One thing I've noticed is that the steering isn't "sharp". I guess that is expected for this many miles. Again, the lower control arms were just replaced. Should I change the upper and the steering rod, too? Could this be the reason behind the shaking? What other component should I change?
3) One strange thing I have noticed is that when in low speeds (less than a few miles per hour) I brake and hold to a full stop, the car shift slightly to the front right. I want to make sure I am clear: this is not an alignment issue, where braking leads to car pulling right or left. This is more like a body shift to the front right. Imagine what would happen if the front right wheel stopped harder and quicker than the one on the left... This could be a sticky caliper but again, they assured me that there were no issues there.

[bcredliner]

Suggest having the suspension checked by a well recommended BMW specializing Independent shop but if you haven't re-seated the brakes I would do that first.

Did original owner have service records or can you check to see if the suspension was rebuilt? Usually life of front suspension is any time after 75,000 miles with the majority seeing a rebuild at about 100,000 miles. Worn suspension can cause pulling to one side and if suspension needs repair it may not be holding an alignment.

The following is an example of parts that are changed in a front suspension rebuild. https://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E...004_2005_2006/

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by mdat25

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

Some of you had noted the high miles. This is not my primary vehicle. Bought this as a "project car" but glad I can drive it while I get my hands dirty, too. So, yes it is an older car (with lots of miles) but I am having fun working on it. Spent the past 11 months in the hospital with cancer at 39 so now that I am out, I am glad to finally be able to live this little dream of playing part-time mechanic!

Now, a few more details:
1) Some of you suggested rotating all tires. Have done that, along with balancing etc... Didn't help.
2) One thing I've noticed is that the steering isn't "sharp". I guess that is expected for this many miles. Again, the lower control arms were just replaced. Should I change the upper and the steering rod, too? Could this be the reason behind the shaking? What other component should I change?
3) One strange thing I have noticed is that when in low speeds (less than a few miles per hour) I brake and hold to a full stop, the car shift slightly to the front right. I want to make sure I am clear: this is not an alignment issue, where braking leads to car pulling right or left. This is more like a body shift to the front right. Imagine what would happen if the front right wheel stopped harder and quicker than the one on the left... This could be a sticky caliper but again, they assured me that there were no issues there.

Perhaps the drivers side front caliper is not applying the same amount of pressure?

[upallnight]

Most likely it is the thrust arms (AKA upper control arm or tension arm) bushings that are worn. Perhaps the reason why the the car shift to the right is weight transfer and you have a worn suspension component that is moving when the weight of the car is transfer forward as you stop.

Here's a pic of the tension/upper control/ thrust arm.



I just replace my tension/upper control/thrust arm bushings with polyurethane bushing.

[mdat25]

Update:

Took the car to another shop today to see if they can figure out what is going. They are suppose to get back to me tomorrow.

One thing I noticed today is that the steering only shakes when the car is shifting weight forward (during braking at any speed). In other words, if I brake gently enough at any speed where the car's front doesn't nose down per se, then there is no issue (no steering shaking). And likewise, even at lower speeds, if I brake hard and the car noses down, the steering column shakes.

This makes me think that perhaps there is a worn out suspension part. Question is, which one?!

[bcredliner]

Consider a full rebuild kit. The life of suspension parts are near the same. Doing a compete rebuild will save labor cost and failing parts accelerate wear on other parts of the suspension.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by mdat25

Update:

Took the car to another shop today to see if they can figure out what is going. They are suppose to get back to me tomorrow.

One thing I noticed today is that the steering only shakes when the car is shifting weight forward (during braking at any speed). In other words, if I brake gently enough at any speed where the car's front doesn't nose down per se, then there is no issue (no steering shaking). And likewise, even at lower speeds, if I brake hard and the car noses down, the steering column shakes.

This makes me think that perhaps there is a worn out suspension part. Question is, which one?!

With the miles on your X5 you would want to do a complete front end suspension refresh. Make sure you replace components with good quality ones. Most of the front suspension set up was done originally with Lemforedor. You will be surprised how much better the X5 handles and responds with a suspension refresh.