mjn Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 (edited) So, for the last 6 months i've had this annoying wheel wobble/judder especially when under braking at high speeds. Braking at 80mph, the steeering wheel will wobble left to right, braking under 50 mph is generally ok. So far i've replaced: Front control arms with Meyle HD Front control arm bushes with Powerflex Front ARB bushes with Powerflex New Pagid brake discs Tried Pagid and EBC red stuff pads 4 wheel alignment done Each one of those fixes has improved the situation, especially the bushes, as the old ones were completely perished. I'm running out of ideas! Found a link http://bmwenthusiasts.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65 for a E36 buying guide which states:Worn tie rod ends are often noticeable as a judder under braking. This is commonly mistaken for warped rotors as it has almost the same feel. I've given the wheels a fondle at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, but couldn't feel any movement. Anybody got any other suggestions? Edited June 6, 2013 by My Car Hates Me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colossuss Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Calliper seals are knackered and needs refurbing on one side? mit and mjn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 (edited) Calliper seals are knackered and needs refurbing on one side? Both front calipers replaced in the last 14 or so, so i'd be surprised if one of them needed attention again so soon. Plus, the car doesn't pull to one side while braking, stays straight, but just with judder. Edited February 28, 2013 by mjn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blair Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 I'd check the callipers again just incase. Do the top shock mounts wear on E46's? Are the wheels round? Front wheel bearings? What about the steering rack any play in that? Has it got a tight spot? How have checked for play in bushes? With a pry bar and wobbling? Our local MOT place has a wobble ramp and parts you think are ok when wobbled start moving. mit and mjn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 The wheels ok? mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry D Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 When was the last time you had your wheels balanced? My guess, since you've replaced alot, would be the wheels are out of balance, you don't notice under acceleration, but once there is more contact points under braking, the effect will be amplified no? mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry D Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Trev, quick on the draw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks guys. I'm just thinking back to when this started, and it was when i put the winter alloys on Wonder if its just a case of the wheels need re-balancing. Haven't been rebalanced since the tyres were fitted back in Sept 2011. Yeah, had a crowbar in there, couldn't find anything. But i'm going to get the garage to stick it on their wobble board and check the wheel balancing. When i put the brake pads in, i had a look at the calipers, and the seals were still in good condition, and no signs of any leakage. Blair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colossuss Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Did you get your other wheels refurbished or anything over summer? When I had mine done the paint was to thick around the bore, so the wheels wouldn't mount properly, I had to sand it back (dremal, because I'm lazy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Alloys haven't been refurbed, just stored in the garage. As they're 17" / 8J all round i did swap the fronts and rears, to even out the wear, so i might swap them round again, and see what happens. I'm away all weekend for a wedding, so i'm a little short on time. Booked it in with the garage on Wednesday, for them to have a look, and give things a proper once over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 So, i swapped the fronts and rears over, no change. I also made sure the hub faces and the back of the alloys were clean with no crap. Alloys sit flush on the hubs, no issues. Somebody dropped me a PM saying new droplinks / track rod ends may sort my judder out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Also, noticed the judder when braking is most noticable when going down hill, up hill, its barely noticable. Pointing to a suspension issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes_france Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I have noticed something similar on mine since I swapped the wheels over so I am almost sure its the wheels that need balancing. I would definitely start there... mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Its booked in for Wednesday, and will tell them "i only want it back when the steering wheel doesn't shake'" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg320d Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 If it was on the brakes ie calipers, discs pads etc the wobble would come through the brake pedal. If its through the steering it is quite possible to be a suspension/steering problem. I'd start by checking the steering coupling that sits in between the steering column and the rack. Then jack each front corner up and hold the wheel and gently wobble side to side see if you can feel and free play. If play is there, get someone to wobble the wheel while you hold the track rod end and track control arm in turn to see if its the track rod end or maybe even in the rack as the E46 loves chewing up racks! mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I'm not getting pulsing or vibration through the pedal, which makes me think the brakes are actually ok. And there is the tinest of vibration when just sat on the motorway at 80mph. I've done the track rod end test, and there was zero movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg320d Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Have you checked the steering coupling? mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Have you checked the steering coupling? I haven't mate, and to be honest, i wouldn't know what i'd be looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mario Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) What wheel you got at the moment ?? if not oem meybe you need spigot ring. have the sam problem with new wheel (not oem) - spigot ring on , and all ok now. my its : http://www.ebay.co.u...=item256d626fc0 Edited March 2, 2013 by mario mjn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 They're OEM style 44's at the moment, and i've got MV2's for the summer. Gave the brakes a thrashing this morning, and got a little pulsing through the brake pedal. Really confused now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg320d Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I haven't mate, and to be honest, i wouldn't know what i'd be looking for. Look under the bonnet, where the steering column comes out, just before it meets the rack, there is a coupling in between them! Check that out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg320d Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 If its coming through the pedal dude it's the discs or a pad is stuck and its cooked the disc. Is your car auto or manual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Check the lower steering union joint. Couldn't see chuff all play on mine but once off found 1mm play max which worked out to a good 10-15mm play at the wheeling wheel. Very very unnerving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Garage has just been on the phone, they've taken it for a test drive, and they're a little stumped.... Found a small split in the prop donut (only had this replaced about 30k miles ago, grrrrrrr) but thats it. They're going to check the wheel balancing now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Had the wheels rebalanced, no difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
