E46 320i shudder when applying brakes

[ghalieb.davids]

Hi
I'm new and still learning .I 've bought me a BMW E46 320i about six months ago and I love it and it drives like a dream .The only problem is that when I drove 140 - 180km I had a slight shudder on my steering wheel when applying brakes.A gerage told me is the bushes which I replaced new.Still the same - Another garage told me it's the front disc with pads which were also replace brand new as well as for the balancing and alignment was done .:argh: it was worse than before .I took it back which they bleed thewhole system and yet the same.Now by more garages - the one told me it's the steering rack ends and the other say it's the ball joints on the lower control arm.I've spend this far R5K already .

PLEASE ASSIST IF ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE OR KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT BE .:ty:

 

[@ri]

Speak to De@no on the forum. He had similar issues iirc.

 

[Doomsdaya]

hehe.... welcome & yes i'm in the same boat as you, common problems with most bmw's

My steering also use to shudder at high speeds and guess what after 15K later which includes new powersteering pump, ball joints, bushes, tie rod & rack ends the problem still persists.

Next on the list is RTAB's, brake pads, brake discs, shocks, shock mounts and possibly steering rack.

I would say if you want to avoid spending unnecessary money, have the steering column or steering rack checked out.

 

[ghalieb.davids]

Thank You ,:ty:

The only thing is that I don't mind spending the money but what annoys me is that they talk professionally as they know what they talking about and after spending all the money - they stand there saying "I don't understand and it's the first time happening"

 

[Rambam]

Hi
I'm new and still learning .I 've bought me a BMW E46 320i about six months ago and I love it and it drives like a dream .The only problem is that when I drove 140 - 180km I had a slight shudder on my steering wheel when applying brakes.A gerage told me is the bushes which I replaced new.Still the same - Another garage told me it's the front disc with pads which were also replace brand new as well as for the balancing and alignment was done .:argh: it was worse than before .I took it back which they bleed thewhole system and yet the same.Now by more garages - the one told me it's the steering rack ends and the other say it's the ball joints on the lower control arm.I've spend this far R5K already .

PLEASE ASSIST IF ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE OR KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT BE .:ty:

Ghalieb,

What kind of mileage we looking at here?

 

[ghalieb.davids]

Hi
Now 155 220

 

[De@nO]

Hi Ghalieb,

I replied to your PM.

It is obviously difficult to say exactly what it is.. The first place to start would be the discs, they could be warped. Did the vibration go away when you put new discs and pads on and then reappear at a later stage?

Otherwise have your front wheel bearings and tie rods checked out.

The best advise would be to take the car to a good BMW specialist. I know of a good one in Midrand that I can refer you to if need be.

 

[Raybimmer]

IMHO a shudder would not be play in steering rack , play there would make the car wander .Tie rod ends and ball joint will get loose and will be felt over bad surfaces as wheels move up and down ,allowing play to occur .Discs and pads are a problem as fitting could cause trouble , a disc fitted on a fraction out of line will " wobble " , this is felt in the pedal pulsating and a vibration in the car . Good luck.

 

[Chucky]

seeing that you have changed so many parts already what are the condition of the tyres, reason being at 120+ km/h a vibration could be felt trough out the car but at lower speeds nothing, turned out to be bad tyres

 

[De@nO]

seeing that you have changed so many parts already what are the condition of the tyres, reason being at 120+ km/h a vibration could be felt trough out the car but at lower speeds nothing, turned out to be bad tyres

A tyre related vibration would be constant depending on speed and increase in severity as the speed is increased. He only experiences the vibration once the brakes are applied.

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

seeing that you have changed so many parts already what are the condition of the tyres, reason being at 120+ km/h a vibration could be felt trough out the car but at lower speeds nothing, turned out to be bad tyres

A tyre related vibration would be constant depending on speed and increase in severity as the speed is increased. He only experiences the vibration once the brakes are applied.

I used to have the same problem, very bad. Changed Brake discs and Pads and its gone. Not that that helps... Seeing as you have already done that. Hope you get it sorted man. Maybe control arms?

 

[ghalieb.davids]

Hi Guys
Thank You very much .It became very frastrating but now I feel much better raise: having you guys.

I have a new set off Continental Contact 3 Tyres on - 3 months old.I'm based in Cape Town and I was at a guy called Achmat who has a workshop at GoodHope Exhaust ,they specialize in BMW and they told me is the lower control arms which they showed me the play on the wheels when jacked up.
But I will let them check out the new brake disc and the pads as well if it was fitted properly .

:tynce again will keep you's posted when done on outcome.

 

[msm]

Check if all your mags are perfectly round. Had this issue before too and turned out my mags were the problem. So even if they are balancing the wheels, it could be slightly buckled.