Wheel shimmy when braking.

[Hal88]

I have the same whell shimmy problem when braking at high speeds like many others do here and now I'm trying to fix this problem. I have the stock wheels setup and I just aligned all wheels recently and that didn't fix the problem, so now I'm gonna try to replace the lower control arms.
I'm a little confused tho.....can someone tell me if I have to change the whole control assy. or is it just the bushings at the end?
There's a significant price difference.
here's the link I found on the DIY from Drex:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...trol-arms.html

thank you for your help.

[Boston X5 4.4]

just curious ...how do you know its the control arms and not warped rotors?

[KUCAK]

Mine shakes while braking. Its the rotors. I would check the rotors for warping before taking on a project like that.

[The Cleaner]

Yes, I'd do some brake investigation before doing the control arms, they are not hard but there are a couple other bushings and links that are more likely to be the problem if you determine you have a suspension related failure.

[kkx5]

Hm yeah, I would think this is a brake related issue too - maybe it's time to upgrade rotors.

[the head]

You have warped brake rotors replace them as soon as possible or the vibrations will cause damage to other suspension components

[motordavid]

I'll throw in my 2Cts on this topic:
it is seemingly a continual and regularly occuring situ for X5s,
though I've really experienced it only two other times in 43+
years of owning/driving dozens of different cars.

I too, had the dreaded high(er) speed hard braking shimmy on
our '01 3.0, and had the front brakes & rotors R&R'd at 48K just
before the Maint. expired, about a year ago. It helped a "little",
initially, but the shimmy came back in less than a thousand miles.
(Yes, I did the hard break-in the brakes deal, though I think that
method is overblown and overrated.)

Yes, I had 2 diff Stlrs check out the "front end", hoping to get
control arms, et al, replaced as another potential "cause". Both
Stlrs swore the front end was fine.

Flash ahead a yearish: last March, '06, I cop a set of prisitne OEM
style 192s with very good oem rubber from a fellow poster and good
guy, from this board.

I slap on the nearly new 132s in place of my OEM/orig style 69s, also
still with that wheel sets orig rubber, and WoW! the fookin shimmy is
gone!

I drive the X another 5 months and 5+K miles with not a hint
of shimmy under any condition. In late August I pick up a drywall
screw from the ubiquitous new home construction on our Mtn. in NC,
and finally give in and take the targeted 132 wheel/tire combo to one
of our very low tech "tar changin' " joints we have in hillbillyheaven.

The knucklehead pays no attentio to my pleading and after patching
the tire, puts it back on the rim in a slightly different place on the
rim. I even marked the valve stem location for him, but no go.

I drive it home and immediately notice the dreaded hard braking
wheel shimmy is back...

Could all be coincidence...I have no fookin clue other than I think:

-worn/"warped"/surface deposit rotors may have an effect.
-worn pads may have an effect.
-front suspension wear may have an effect.
-tire balance may have a more effect than anyone
thinks...(some of that tire imbalance may be due to tire wear
over time and thus, the tire is not balanced anymore, in situ,
as they say.)

Some of the above, some combo of the above or
none of the above, could be the cause. I have yet
to figure it out.

My meter's run overtime. Jes' my 25Cts worth.
GL,mD

[the head]

wow

I guess I figured everyone balanced thier tires yearly at a competent shop although I guess many of you dont change out tires for winter so you wouldnt have a reason to take them off...anyway BALANCE YOUR TIRES YEARLY! they will wear more evenly and on average last longer



a wheel balance issue should show up at a certian speed...not just under breaking but sure get the wheels balanced first if that doesn't fix it do rotors next

[Hal88]

I will try changing out the rotors and brake pads first, I don't think I'm do for a change yet but I will purchase all the parts and get ready for the light to show up on my dash.....how do you tell if the rotors are warped???
Oh and also I will have the tires balanced....I'll keep you posted.

[Hal88]

Any suggestions on which rotors I should get? or should I just go with OEM?