Steering Issue

[ROMEO]

Hi guys.. First of all i love this site. . .

Letely I am encoutering that everytime i step on the brakes my steering wheel shakes. My friend at the dealership metioned this 2 weeks ago that my bushings are bad?? so this is something that needs to replaced, and needed to be changed all four in front.
I have 20" wheels. My questions are;

1: Should i take it for tire balance? maybe its just out of balance and resolve it?

2; Is this happening due to bad bushings? this way I hope will resolve the "shaking" issue. It happens only when i step on the brakes...

Any feedback is appreciated.

[ekaz]

If it's only when you step on the brakes, it sounds more like your brake rotors may be warped.

[ROMEO]

What do u mean by "Warped" sorry.. Is this something i can fix? or need new ones? please advise

thanks

[Cldesch]

I think it has somthing to do with your ball joints and control arms. I'm not an expert but the same thing happened to me and they told me the ball joints were shot and there is space between the ball and the socket that is why when you brake it shakes. It cost me like $800 with parts and labor. It sucks!!

[motordavid]

I have had the "wheel shimmy upon braking" prob for a couple of years. Two weeks ago, I finally got a Stlr to agree to new front pads and front rotors, under Ext Maint. prog.,
and I must say that the improvement is considerable. However, I do still have slight shimmy at any speed, which may be wheel bal or a suspension situ. It is a difficult thing to diagnose, by anyone, inc. stlr.

I'd start w/ a thorough check by Stlr, (or indie if Warr/Maint has expired), to determine if rotors/pads need replacing or if it is susp issue or simple wheel balance. Rotors do "warp", (become eccentric), mainly due to extreme overheating, (rare), or more likely uneven/overtorquing of wheel lug bolts. GL,md

[Roc3b]

If I were a betting man I would say that is your rotors. They prob heated up then cooled down very quickly in a puddle or something and it made them warp.

[ROMEO]

Perfect guys... I think the ball joints are a MUST to change since we know thats needs to be replaced. Once i change those i will see if I still have the "wheel shimmy upon braking...

My friend at the dealer can change those for a good deal.. i cant believe to pay 800dlls. NO way!!!

I bought my X5 with 58k miles with one of those extended waranty for 3 years included where i have to pay a deductible of $95.00 dlls.. everytime I need something done..at any reapir shop. I will see..

[ROMEO]

I will ask my friend to check the rotors too...thanks for your time my folks.. :p

[UCrewX5]

I had a similar issue prior to replacing my front control arms and suspension links. In my case it had nothing to do with brakes, it was all suspension.

[ROMEO]

so you had to replace the control arms and the suspension liks? DId this resolved the the problem? thanks