Stearing Wheel Wobble

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 2:57 pm

Hi all....need a bit of fault diagnosis from all you knowledgeable forum members!

Have started to get steering wheel wobble when braking. Seems to vary it's intensity depending on how much or how quick the brake pedal is depressed. Sometimes it feels like it goes once the brakes are engaged fully.

The brakes don't seem any different to what they have been & haven't noticed any metal on metal noise.

I did have a 4w alignment back in November at BMTR because the steering didn't feel quite right & I hadn't had one done for a while....they claimed they always check the suspension before starting.....although there's always a chance they didn't....or have not tightened something up.

My first thoughts, obviously, were brakes or suspension bushes but I just wondered what you all thought? And would you have an idea of repair cost?

Thanks in advance!

Colin

v8 ego · Post by **v8 ego** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 3:04 pm

My money would be on knackered bushes are warped discs.

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 4:32 pm

Could be a sticking brake caliper!

E24man · Post by **E24man** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 7:17 pm

Kentish man · Post by **Kentish man** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:26 pm

I had the same thing happen to me.Try the sticking brake caliper first.Is one wheel hotter than on the other side? If so it's brake caliper.

Post by **Charles** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 10:08 pm

As said before - worn bushes or caliper issues

E24man wrote:in twenty five years of maintaining my own cars I have yet to come across a warped brake disc.

Twenty years ago I took my E36 316i auto to Munich. Several heavy braking situations when running flat out on the autobahn led to warped discs.

Given the circumstances, I was hugely proud of my achievements

drewjak · Post by **drewjak** » Tue Mar 01, 2016 7:57 am

E46`s are notorious for chewing rear control arm bushes so this is your most likely culprit, they are easy to change and should take half an hour to an hour at the most on a ramp.
Don't buy after market cheap ones or you'll be having them done again in 12 months , for the price of genuine ones its not worth it .
I found it easier to replace mine with polly bushes as I knew I would never have to change them again, some people say that they cause extra noise and vibration through the car......I never noticed any difference other than an a vast improvement to driving quality.
Cost wise I wouldn't be paying much more than Â£150 for this to be done with genuine parts

MickB3 · Post by **MickB3** » Tue Mar 01, 2016 9:52 am

I am going with sticking caliper.

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 6:27 pm

Had the car MOT'd today....the brakes passed ok but RTAB's were an advisory. So, will get them done in the near future and see if it cures the wobble!

Another question: Are there a total of 3 sets of bushes on the front suspension and would it be better to get them all done together....or do the others last a fair bit longer?

If anyone has changed them all before and have the part numbers, that would be great!

Thanks!