Help! - BMW Forum

akolang · 02-07-2005, 05:26 PM

hey guys, since i had my front control arm bushing replaced... i noticed that when i hit the brake at around 55-60+ mph that the steering would vibrate but if i brake at a speed below what i said the brake seems fine.... but above that the steering wheel would shake, and i checked the rotor and it seemed fine, no cracks or anything... any ideas what could this be?? thanks

jrhaile · 02-07-2005, 06:15 PM

ball joints... same thing was happening to my GFs bimmer that I bought for her.. replaced the ball joints and it was fine after that. you could also have a bent rim :P

akolang · 02-08-2005, 08:49 AM

it doesnt happen all the time though.. hmm should i take it in? thanks

wulley1 · 02-08-2005, 10:02 AM

I agree with the ball joint post, that seems to be a very common cause of the problem you described.

I had the same problem, but it went away after I had new snow tires put on my rims. I'm assuming that spin balancing the tires fixed the problem for me. Might be worth a try before you replace your ball joint(s).

BImmerN2B · 02-08-2005, 11:37 AM

That happened to me too. It could be many things. I had a bent or what the dealer said was an out of round rim. Or it could be the rotor or pad. check a bentley manual and see what it says about the ball joints. or who knows if it could be your alignment or balancing of your tires. if those ain't fixing your problem. Then I don't know what is.

jroberts312 · 02-08-2005, 12:15 PM

The shaking when braking is mainly the rotors. Alot of times you can not tell by looking or feeling. They must be turned to rule them out. The ball joints will cause vibration when not braking. Just driving.

Quote:

Originally posted by BImmerN2B@Feb 8 2005, 11:37 AM
That happened to me too. It could be many things. I had a bent or what the dealer said was an out of round rim. Or it could be the rotor or pad. check a bentley manual and see what it says about the ball joints. or who knows if it could be your alignment or balancing of your tires. if those ain't fixing your problem. Then I don't know what is.

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97alpineM3 · 02-08-2005, 12:24 PM

jroberts is 50% right... first off.. you may not turn BMW rotors... they are not turnable... period...

As for a warped rotor... you will notice this at low speeds more than high speeds... think about the rythmic patern of a warped rotor.. it will be faster as higher speeds.. thus more noticable at lower speeds... so that rules them out for the most part...

When speaking of control arms... I think it would probably be a good idea to get a front end allinement... that will probably fix your problem.. or atleast narrow your choices of the problem down a little.. then ext replace your ball joints... unless you wish to do all of that in one step.. which would be what I think you should do...

Have a good one.. and good luck,

Les

akolang · 02-08-2005, 03:23 PM

well the control arm are fairly new.. had them replaced back in nov... and like you said i should feel if the rotor is wraped at lower speed which isnt the case... so im thinking i should have my alignment checked then??

93 325i · 02-08-2005, 03:56 PM

This warped rotor feeling at lower speeds doesn't make sense..If the rotor is spinning faster then logically you'd think it'd be worse braking from higher speeds.. I know for a fact my rotors a warped and it is much worse braking from higher speeds. In fact below 20mph I can barely feel any vibration, but braking from 70+ it is down right awful. When I bought the car the owner admitted to putting new pads on old rotors and after a BMW inspection they told me the rotors were shot and needed a front brake job ($400). Your solution may very well be to get an alignment as it started after changing the bushings. But in my case at least warped rotors do get more severe when braking from higher speeds..

97alpineM3 · 02-08-2005, 06:32 PM

I'd have to do some research but everytime I've warped rotors.. which has been many many times.. this is the way I've experianced it. But to be honest with you... I'd have to do more looking into it to see how exactly the rotors can be warped.. because if they are warped in different ways.. then there might be more than one result.... so we both might be right.. either way.. thanks for stating the oposite... makes me think...

Thanks you...

Les

BImmerN2B · 02-08-2005, 06:44 PM

Akolang are you single?

Cruzin 323is · 02-08-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wulley1@Feb 8 2005, 11:02 AM
I agree with the ball joint post, that seems to be a very common cause of the problem you described.

I had the same problem, but it went away after I had new snow tires put on my rims. I'm assuming that spin balancing the tires fixed the problem for me. Might be worth a try before you replace your ball joint(s).

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well.. i am getting my new tierods w/ball joints put in tomorrow.. i'll let u know.. cuz my car is having that problem too!!

akolang · 02-09-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BImmerN2B@Feb 8 2005, 06:44 PM
Akolang are you single?

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she's not me.. she's mine :P

Cruzin 323is · 02-09-2005, 10:29 AM

so as a follow up on my tierod installation!! it did nothing for me!!

basically thre last thing i need to change is the left control arm and bushings... if that doesn't work... then i am selling the car!