X5 steering shudder when braking

[Johanj]

Hi Guys, I bought a X5 E53 3.0D and it had a bad steering shudder when braking at 85-110km/h, the dealership replaced all brake discs and pads and lower control arms and it is 98% better but it still feels as though there is some remnant of a shudder at 120-150km/h any advice or should I let the brakes run in first?

 

[Gunner-Win]

Hi Guys, I bought a X5 E53 3.0D and it had a bad steering shudder when braking at 85-110km/h, the dealership replaced all brake discs and pads and lower control arms and it is 98% better but it still feels as though there is some remnant of a shudder at 120-150km/h any advice or should I let the brakes run in first?

Glad they fixed the first shudder. That sounded like warped discs, so that's why the replacement discs sorted out that issue.

Is the new shudder (the 120km/h-150km/h one) only under braking? Or is while driving normal? Or is it while accelerating? Or under all of the previously mentioned circumstances?

Also is the shudder only on the steering wheel, or does the whole car vibrate?

Unfortunately without knowing the above, we will just be speculating about the many items it could be.

 

[Johanj]

It is only under braking, when accelerating or just driving/coasting it is smooth, the shudder decreases with speed, have been told it might be tyres?

 

[Gunner-Win]

It is only under braking, when accelerating or just driving/coasting it is smooth, the shudder decreases with speed, have been told it might be tyres?

Tyre flat spots also create a shudder/vibration which are normally noticeable around 120km/h - 140km/h, and they will give a slight vibration that will lessen as your speed decreases.

But since you say that you only get it under braking, then I'm a little confused. Flat spots will make it shudder all the time AFAIK.

Do you still have the original rims on?

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Also to add, wheel balancing, buckled/bent rims, and tyre flat spots, all create a shudder. However, they will shudder all the time and not only under braking. Have you checked any of these things yet?

Shudder under braking is normally warped discs AFAIK. So maybe the new discs have warped as well. With all the rain it might be the case, because warped discs are caused by vast changes in temperature, like driving through a puddle when your brakes are extremely hot.

Firstly I would go to a quality tyre place and get them to check the tyres for flat spots, check the rims for buckles/dents & cracks, and get them to redo balancing and alignment. If this doesn't sort out the problem, then you might have to have the discs skimmed.

Where are you situated bud?

 

[akash]

Maybe have the rims balanced you would then be able to pick up if you have a buckled rim

 

[Blue Shirt]

If the E53 has double wishbones like the X70 X5, you should also check the upper control arm bushes, not just the lower control arms.

 

[Johanj]

Thx for the feedback, will keep an eye on it, can't decide if there is a vibration or not.

 

[ChefDJ]

Can also be worn shocks.