Steering wheel shake when braking.
#11
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 757
Likes: 13
From: Chestermere AB
My Ride: 535xi
Model Year: 2008
#13
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Canada
My Ride: 525I
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N52
The only reason I say it's a bad idea is because when I brake from higher speeds and it's hard, I feel the front end shaking also and it feels like something is going to give. out Should have mentioned that in my original post.
I am generally not a heavy beaker.
I am generally not a heavy beaker.
#14
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Canada
My Ride: 525I
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N52
#15
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 426
Likes: 21
From: pa
My Ride: 528i
Model Year: 2010 528i e60
Engine: N52k
Idea:
Run your finger across the rotor. Do you feel a high lip on the edge of the rotor?
Clip a pair of vice grips between the tie rod ball joint and where the outer tie rod attaches to the inner tie rod. Move the vice grips between 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Is there excessive play?
Do the same with the strut arms.
Now you can start to make some informed decisions.
Run your finger across the rotor. Do you feel a high lip on the edge of the rotor?
Clip a pair of vice grips between the tie rod ball joint and where the outer tie rod attaches to the inner tie rod. Move the vice grips between 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Is there excessive play?
Do the same with the strut arms.
Now you can start to make some informed decisions.
#16
#17
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Canada
My Ride: 525I
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N52
I actually ended up trying what was mentioned above. It's still happening.
Thanks for everyone's help on this, I'll be taking it to a shop to get it fully diagnosed.
#18
New Members
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 757
Likes: 13
From: Chestermere AB
My Ride: 535xi
Model Year: 2008
Brake shake can also be tension arm bushings. Have the shop look for play in everything, and if the TA bushings haven't been changed or are leaking they're suspect. You can test the TA bushings yourself by having somebody else drive the car at a walking pace then stab the brake pedal sharply and release several times. If the front wheel moves front-to-back much at all, those bushings are toast.
#19
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Canada
My Ride: 525I
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N52
Brake shake can also be tension arm bushings. Have the shop look for play in everything, and if the TA bushings haven't been changed or are leaking they're suspect. You can test the TA bushings yourself by having somebody else drive the car at a walking pace then stab the brake pedal sharply and release several times. If the front wheel moves front-to-back much at all, those bushings are toast.
#20
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Canada
My Ride: 525I
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N52
So I tried the rotor reconditioning method and the shake has diminished! Not enough to go away but it's better!
I also went under the car and checked for movement in the tie rods and control arms... The control arms had very very minimal play but everything else seemed secure. Is this normal?
I also took pictures of the bushings as best I could and they don't look too bad. A change is due in time.
I also went under the car and checked for movement in the tie rods and control arms... The control arms had very very minimal play but everything else seemed secure. Is this normal?
I also took pictures of the bushings as best I could and they don't look too bad. A change is due in time.