Steering Wheel Shake Violently

[supernsx]

Need help....

My 01 X5 is having problem lately. After a short 5-10 minutes drive, the steering wheel starts shake pretty badly. It doesn't happen every time I drive the car but most often than not, it shakes.

Today, it started to shake again. I tried to accelerate and see was it a wheel balance problem. When I speed up from 50 to 70, the car shake reduced a bit. But as soon as I decelerated back to 50 then 40 then 30, the whole front including the steering wheel shaked so violently and I almost lost control of the car.

So.... my question is "what is the problem?" I did search the forum for more than an hour before I ask this question but I really cannot pin down the cause.

TIA......

[xnsf]

what kind of wheels are you running?

[supernsx]

Just stock 17 inches

[xnsf]

and i'm assuming that it's not raining or snowing?

[supernsx]

No..... always dry condition.....

[jpm4.8is]

Have your X5 checked for alignment and wheel balance

[supernsx]

One thing forgot to mentioned.....

after the shaking today, the X5 smell rubber burning big time. The smell stayed in my garage for more than half a day.....

[GMGX5]

Most likely your front caliper on one side (front) is siezing up when warm, I would
drive it and then lift the front and spin the wheel to see if they are tight
and not turning easily. And dont be cheap overhaul or replace both sides...

[Kewl X5]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D052; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

If it is not the brake caliper or warped rotors or wheel balance problem (I am sure you checked your tire pressure), then check your control arm/wishbone bushings. They may be worn and it is probably cheaper & easier to replace it with a new control arm with its new bushing. Good luck & keep us updated!

[supernsx]

Thanks guys. Because of the smell, I am guessing it may be more to do with the brakes than the wheel balance..... well. let me do some test myself.