High Speed Braking Vibration - Warped Discs?

[EmptyWallet]

Hi all

I have a 2002 4.4 that has suddenly developed quite a vicious vibration/wobble through the wheel when braking from over 60mph. below this this isn't even the slightest hint of a problem, even when hitting the brakes hard!

First guess is warped discs, but if they are warped, why can I feel it at lower speeds?

Your advice as always would be much appreciated.

Cheers/

[phill]

could be your thrust bearings item 7 on link below

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=31&fg=05

I have had mine changed recently and the steering wobble has gone.

Mine also wobbled when braking at about 40 ish going down a hill. I also needed item 10 changing at the same time. Item 10 on my car is OEM and item 7 that I had fitted was a super pro poly bush (this is quite hard and you can feel the bumps in the road through the steering wheel).

Item 7 - you may see cracks in the rubber, and / or oil around the bush, but probably not.
Item 10 - jack the car up and rock the wheel top and bottom if there is movement item 10 is probably worn - £95.00 fitted at indy (both sides)

Phill

[EmptyWallet]

Thanks for that Phill

It is going into my local indy tomorrow for an MOT and a few other bits. So I will print put your post and diagram get him to check those items out. I have also noticed a slight knock coming from the front right corner through slow right hand bends, perhaps the ball joint in item 10 is causing that too.

Cheers

[PhilT]

Phills right, definitely either wishbone bushes or ball joints. I had the same problem a couple of months ago so replaced the entire lower wishbones (item 10) on either side and that cured it. You can either just buy bushes and get them pressed into your existing wishbones (BMW recommned you only do this twice before replacing the wishbones) or buy the wishbones complete with everything already attached - this is the route I took. Dealer quoted me £1k to fix but got it done elsewhere for £200!

[EmptyWallet]

Great stuff. Thanks PhilT.

Let's see how my trusty mechanic gets on. I will let you know.

Cheers

Dean

[x555]

I see the forum name is begining to ring true then joking aside i hope it's a quick and simple fix for you i was going to suggest wheel balancing as you would notice the vibration more at higher speeds!

[ice climber]

[quote=""PhilT""]Phills right, definitely either wishbone bushes or ball joints. I had the same problem a couple of months ago so replaced the entire lower wishbones (item 10) on either side and that cured it. You can either just buy bushes and get them pressed into your existing wishbones (BMW recommned you only do this twice before replacing the wishbones) or buy the wishbones complete with everything already attached - this is the route I took. Dealer quoted me £1k to fix but got it done elsewhere for £200![/quote]

Hi

I have the same problem, braking gently from around 40mph, and I have been told that changing 10 is the best place to start especially on high mileage cars. Just need time to take off the road to do, but it is a bit hard as I am covering around 24k per annum at the mo and my car is part of my job needs. Other high speed wobbles are usually the thrust arm bushes, cracked and wear in the ball joints in the associated thrust arm.

Out of interest did the cost from the indy also include the realignment after replacing items 10?

Steven

[phill]

[quote=""x555""]Out of interest did the cost from the indy also include the realignment after replacing items 10? [/quote]

no.

To change items 10 only takes about an hour to do both sides

[EmptyWallet]

So car just back from garage and all is well! Item 10 was replaced on offside front and similar control arm with balljoint replaced on offside rear. Also had handbrake adjusted and an MOT. All that for just £210 and no more steering wobble!

So, screename not changing for a while yet.

Thanks all of you for a great diagnosis.

Cheers

Dean

[x555]

[quote=""EmptyWallet""]So car just back from garage and all is well! Item 10 was replaced on offside front and similar control arm with balljoint replaced on offside rear. Also had handbrake adjusted and an MOT. All that for just £210 and no more steering wobble!

So, screename not changing for a while yet.

Thanks all of you for a great diagnosis.

Cheers

Dean[/quote]
I hope after typing that you then walked of to find some wood to touch
Thats a cracking price BTW where did you get it done...local indy?

[EmptyWallet]

These days I have taken to wearing wooden clogs (dutch style) so that I am always covered!

Very capable local mechanic took care of it for me. I have used him for years for everything except servicing on my "newer" cars. I prefer to have a full set of Dealer stamps in the service book if the car warrants it.

[x555]

[quote=""EmptyWallet""]These days I have taken to wearing wooden clogs (dutch style) so that I am always covered![/quote]

lol i'll have to get me a pair of them from my uncle he lives over in Holland!

[finnie]

My car is suffering this too and I need to attack this soon but not sure whether to do just 10s or 7 as well?

Regarding just 10, was it just item 10 that was replaced or did you need part 11 as well.

Where did you get the parts as this appears to be aprox $260 on that site. I know this is aprox cost but 210 for the repair to both sides seems cheap.

[finnie]

I emailed cotswold BMW today who do a discount for BMWland members but the price was still £400 for the left and right wishbones. Part No 10.

Anyone know if there is anywhere I can get them a bit cheaper??

Thanks

Finnie

[StewieG]

I have the same issue. Whenever I brake from above 60mph, the steering wheel shakes alot, its almost scary.

Where should I start? Possibly part number 7?

Please help as I have no idea.

Thanks in advance.