Brake jerks steering

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california
#1
Hi Guys, I just noticed a ?problem with the brakes and wanted to know if anyone has the same problem. Most of the time I apply the brakes slowly but the other day I had to stop abruptly when the lights changed and I didn't want to run a yellow because a cop was on the other side of the street. There was a slight but very noticable jerk on the steering wheel when I first applied the brake but was gone in a second. I think it might have jerked to the right. There is no problem with the alignment, pads are good in front and I just replaced the rear pads. There is no difference in stopping power either. This jerking can be reproduced at almost any speed, you just need to jab the brake quickly. I'll probably take off the front wheels this weekend and see if I can find anything. Thx guys!
 
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Oswego, IL
#2
Typically, I have this type of a problem to be caused by a few different things

1. Poor alignment.
2. Mismatched tire pressure from right side to left side.
3. Cracked or deformed rotor (usualy caused by heavy braking and then driving through a puddle).
4. Brake piston on one side or the other needs replaced.
 
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Location
CT
#5
I had a similar problem and thought my rotors had warped but it was a worn tie-rod; I have also heard of a bent wheel causing that type of problem.
 

IanUK

New Member
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London
#6
Sounds like a problem I had with mine, and turned out to be the track control arm (wishbone) bushes [rolleyes]

They are a common problem on E46 and can be shot in as little as 30k

To check the bushes, put the handbrake on then grab the front wheel and try and rock it back n forth (as if trying to turn it from the front to back of the car) they're should'nt be any movement, you might have a feeling that the car don't feel too good on the road either, like its a bit unsure over holes, bumps n stuff...

Since I done them my car feels great now [driving]

Check out this page

http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=40
 
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Location
Wayzata, MN
#7
gizzy seems to have it figured out

though a warped rotor you will feel a shake from one side or the other, my guess is that if your car is in good condition it would be just Tire Pressure. A warped or bent wheel you would feel all the time, though even with tire pressure you will feel a pull at speeds, only that it will be accented while braking (if in the front)

good luck, and keep us posted
 

Tom

1
Staff Team
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#8
Well he said it only happens when you jab the brakes quickly. If its warped rotors you can feel the vibration with even a slight press of the pedal.

For some reason I didnt catch the part where he mentioned the steering wheel shaking, thats definately not normal.
 
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Location
california
#9
Thanks for all your help everyone. I'm thinking it might be a suspension component causing the issue. Here 's the "brake" down

1) - alignment - the car doesn't pull left or right when left alone. Although the steering wheel is at about 1-2 degrees (really minimal) to the right when the car is going straight. It even brakes straight without any guidance.

2)Wheel pressure - I check the pressures every month and keep them at 36

3)Warped rotors? - There is no noticeable shaking of the wheel. I had warped rotors before on a previous car and it doesn't feel anything like it. I paid really close attention today to see if there is any shaking during braking. I thought I might have felt some shaking but then again I think it's just the road condition.

4)Caliper failure? - someone mentioned it but the car stops fine, doesn't pull. There is comparably brake dust on both front wheels. But I'll check tomorrow.

5)Tie rods - bushings? - This I really don't know about. I'll have to look under the car and look for??

It's really weird because otherwise the brake and steering seem to work as they're supposed to under normal driving. All the steering does is a jerking/jump in your hand when you quickly step on the brake. Speed doesn't seem to make much of a difference either. If I still cant figure I'll bring it to the dealer, hope it's covered under warannty.
 
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Oswego, IL
#10
Just throwing another thought into the puzzle -- There could possible be an air-bubble in your break line -- I would think that if this were the case though, it would pull to one side all of the time.
 
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Location
california
#12
Brought the car to the dealer the other day and they said the control arm bushings are bad so they replaced it. That little jerking feeling is a bit less pronounce but is still there. They didn't think it was the brakes either. Any other ideas? Can the ball joint or tie rod do something like that? I'm going back to complain to my SA again and see if they can do anything else. Maybe I can get them to replace all that stuff when my car is still until warranty! [:D]
 

epj3

Senior Member
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Lancaster, PA
#13
eddo said:
Brought the car to the dealer the other day and they said the control arm bushings are bad so they replaced it. That little jerking feeling is a bit less pronounce but is still there. They didn't think it was the brakes either. Any other ideas? Can the ball joint or tie rod do something like that? I'm going back to complain to my SA again and see if they can do anything else. Maybe I can get them to replace all that stuff when my car is still until warranty! [:D]
It could STILL be the alignment -- when you replace control arm bushings you MUST realign the wheels -- Maybe the bushings were bad, but I'm willing to bet that the alignment they did afterwards is what helped it. I just don't think they aligned it properly.
 
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Location
california
#14
epj3, to tell you the truth I don't think they even aligned it. At least it didn't show up on the things done list. I'm bringing it back to them on thursday. Thx!
 


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