Hey all,

So I've been noticing steering wheel shake when I'm braking. It's usually worst when braking at higher speed and I've read that it could be warped brake. rotors

​​​​​​Is it the rotors? The reason why I'm doubting this is because last week when I did an oil change, I noticed the sway bars looked kinda rough, mostly rusty. I tried to move them but no movement there.

Could those be the culprit? Or is it the rotors? Oh! While I was typing this, when I tried rotating my front tires, I heard some brake rub like the pad was rubbing on the rotors.

I'm planning on doing a brake job but wanna make sure I'm fixing the issue at hand.

Thanks for any help!

 

It's definitely not the links. Links would only give you clunk sounds while going over a rough road.

It could be the rotors. Only you know the condition of them and your braking style. If you are turning the wheel with the car off the ground do you here an uneven turn? If so get them turned.

I would look at your tie rod both inner and outer. That could very well be the issue also. I did mine a few months ago because of the same issue. I don't know how many miles you have on your car but they could be worn

 

Ah! Yes the tie rods!

I have a feeling its not the brake rotors...but is there any way to tell if its the tie rods for sure?

 

Not without taking it off. When there off the joints should move freely. New ones take force to move

 

You said you changed them yourself? Im looking on pelican parts at a DYI, doesnt seem too hard.
Any tips and tricks?

 

Nothing special. Just make sure you do them early or the night before so you can take the car to get a front end alignment. Do not drive the car unless it's straight to the shop. I think I had to drive around 15 mi to the shop but I put it back real close to where it was initially. Also make sure you count the turns when spinning of the tie rod end and put it back as close as possible.

Loosen the end nut before unbolting.

 

Steering shake during braking can be hot-spot deposits on your rotors. This happens when you stop hard from high speed then stand with your foot pressed on the brake. You can re-condition your rotors by driving highway speed then braking hard to close to stopped then repeat several times. If you ever need to stop hard then stay stopped, it's good practice to allow the car to creep forward under braking to distribute the heat and prevent deposits locking to the rotor at that spot (or put the car in park and take your foot off the brake).

 

Sorry but that sounds like a bad idea. I'll be replacing my tie rods.

 

That doesnt sound like a bad idea at all, 95% of shaking whilst braking comes from rotors.

 

Rotors / Tie Rods.

When that happened on my e36, it was the tie rods.