Shudder when braking at speeds over 40-50mph

[paulcoles88]

Hi All,

I'm getting a shudder or shaking sensation through the steering wheel when braking at speeds over 40-50 mph.

I have done some reading online and people are pointing at the control arm which I intended to replace anyway but there appears to be two different control arms and I'm unsure which is the one that it is likely to be that needs replacing 1st.

Also one control arm people seem to suggest breaks another ball joint and that needs replacing as well.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

[Greydog]

The big one, goes to the front of the car a very common failure. If you change them yourself make sure the suspension is under load when you torque them up, if the suspension is extended the bushes become twisted and can fail prematurely.

[AW8]

If my memory is correct part 11 on the link below

My money on thrust bushings from symptoms described.

Upper and lower wishbones and balljoints worthy of inspection.

Mindful you are changing rear subframe bushes plus discs and pads too.

Difficult cars to evaluate bushes on as being so heavy it can be hard to generate force required to detect failure that is non visible.

Hope your new project doesn't prove too costly.

http://realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?i ... Id=31_0521

[AW8]

And shut the tailgate before elevating the car. I think it may cause electronic air suspension to drop too low and over extend. Won't be an issue if front only elevated - especially and assuming yours is coils to fronts only and not adjustable twin axle set up. (Aware many early cars were so optioned hence the mention).

[AVI-8]

I agree with AW8 part 11 is the most likely culprit, personally I'd replace the whole arm though, in fact when I got my X5 I had the same problem so I replaced all 4 arms, reason being my 5 series had the same setup and I found that when one bush failed the rest weren't far behind and I spent the next 18 months replacing individual components, it's not worth the hassle, you can get a complete set of Meyle control and thrust arms off eBay and they're a good quality make, I also replaced the thrust arm ball joints and they're a bitch to remove

[brewer]

I experienced this same problem (steering shudder @50-60mph) for quite some time.  On replacing the front tyres (due to outer wear) the problem completely disappeared.

Obviously, this might not be the case for yourself and you may require the maintenance methods described above, but do check that the tyres are not at fault.  That's all I changed.

[paulcoles88]

Thanks for all your replies i have the part, just have to fit them :O

I'm waiting for the weekend when i'll have more time to do it properly.

Anyone who has done it got any tips?

Thanks