slight wheel wobble braking at 70mph

[Steve Blackdog]

Hi Folks

My 2003 3.0d Sport has developed a slight wobble /shudder when you apply steady brake pressure in the window between around 75 to 65 mph.  I'm talking about steady progressive braking.

I have recently swapped the wheels over, (to 5 spoke 17" wheels with M+S tyres) and wonder whether they need re-balancing?  Or is it the brakes?

Any ideas?:help2:

I find this really annoying in a car that has only done 110,000 miles )

[shadrack]

slightly warped disc?

[rhinoman]

[quote="shadrack"]
slightly warped disc?
[/quote]

I agree, most likely, had a few cars suffer with this over the years, exasperated by hot brakes or hotter outside temps but normally cheaper pattern brakes. Dirt on the wheel hub mating surface could be worth a look first though, especially as you've just swapped wheels. Wheel balance wouldn't just be under braking.

[Raj]

Warped disc(s) or front thrust arm bushes

[Steve Blackdog]

Thanks for the answers.  A trip to the garage might be in store.

[535dboy]

Drive at 55 or 95 that should do it

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Steve Blackdog"]
Hi Folks

My 2003 3.0d Sport has developed a slight wobble /shudder when you apply steady brake pressure in the window between around 75 to 65 mph.  I'm talking about steady progressive braking.

I have recently swapped the wheels over, (to 5 spoke 17" wheels with M+S tyres) and wonder whether they need re-balancing?  Or is it the brakes?

Any ideas?:help2:

I find this really annoying in a car that has only done 110,000 miles )
[/quote]

It could be so many things and has been discussed dozens of times on here so have a read and eliminate as many as you can before you go spending at garages as some folk have spent cash and found it hasn't solved it. It could be a warped disc, it could be wheel balance, it could be tyre pressure, it could be brake pad /piston/caliper sticking, it could be tracking, could be various front end bushes, could be a damaged tyre. The list goes on. As I say do a search on the forum and see if you can identify the problem (or eliminate others). Personally I wouldn't go swapping wheels tyres without having them balanced first.

When i had this problem , it was bushes and discs, and changing the discs (which were warped anyway and needed changing) made no difference until I sorted the bushes. Others have sorted it simply with wheel balance. I ran with it for almost four years and it passed the MOT every time but it was like a different car overnight when I changed (at 165,000 miles)

Good luck!

[Steve Blackdog]

Smeee

Thanks for that.  I do know that the tracking needs attention, so I'll get that done first and work backwards from there.

My missus will be well P***sed off if I tell to expect the X5 to be going strong in another 50,000 miles   She doesn't seem to understand that I have built up a relationship with this car now and I have no intention of swapping it until I have no choice.

All the best!

[Reusch]

[quote="535dboy"]
Drive at 55 or 95 that should do it
[/quote]

Your a sarky git  ) ) )

[shadrack]

[quote="Reusch"]
[quote="535dboy"]
Drive at 55 or 95 that should do it
[/quote]

Your a sarky git  ) ) )
[/quote]

have you just noticed! 

hes also a serial womeniser apparently ask itbarbie

[535dboy]

[quote="shadrack"]
[quote="Reusch"]
[quote="535dboy"]
Drive at 55 or 95 that should do it
[/quote]

Your a sarky git  ) ) )
[/quote]

have you just noticed! 

hes also a serial womeniser apparently ask itbarbie
[/quote]

knocked one on the head today.

[kamb]

Had similar fault on my merc turned out to be wheels not balanced

[jaynana]

[quote="535dboy"]
Drive at 55 or 95 that should do it
[/quote]



Re this issue - as said, common issue with the e53, even I had it. In my case front bushes and new tyres (tyres were gone anyways) fixed it.

I don't believe it's the brake disks and even if it is it can be diagnosed by gently braking at slow speeds - you'll feel a slight pulse in the brake peddle.

[Steve Blackdog]

I don't reckon its the discs.  I have relatively new Zimms and there is no vibs braking at any other speed.

However, I did another test, which was to roll the car very slowly forwards down a steep hill (engine running) and apply the brakes fully. You can feel a clonk, which sounds to me more like bushes than brakes.

I've still not got round to going to the garage yet, but if its a sign that the front brake arm reaction bushes are shot, then I ought to go see the man.

[Raj]

Still think the front thrust arm bushes buddy.