steering wheel jerks once I step on the brakes

[os2]

I replaced most of the wear and tear bakes/suspension items but steering wheel still jerks about half of an inch every time I step on the brakes. Struts, strut mounts, control arms, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, endlinks, outer steering tie rods, balljoints are all new and good.
I thought one of the calipers was sticking so rebuilt the calipers (they were not sticking btw), put new rotors and new pads, stainless brake lines, bled the system and still feel that slight jolt through my hands.
Wheels and tires are also brand new and straight.
There is no steering shimmy or vibration, it's just the steering wheel jerks. I can clearly see it moving and returning back in a split second. What else could be causing this - inner steering rods, rack and pinion itself any worn bushings in a steering linkage?

[328 Power 04]

bleed the brakes right... sounds like side grips harder than the other

[fiveayam]

I would double check the tire pressure first-the wheel will jerk toward the underinflated tire when braking. Be sure to check in the morning, before the car has been driven.

[os2]

I would double check the tire pressure first-the wheel will jerk toward the underinflated tire when braking. Be sure to check in the morning, before the car has been driven.

checked the pressure and it is good - 30psi in all 4.
This was also happening when I had another set of wheels so these are not the suspects.

I will try to bleed again but I'm positive I did it right - used almost 2qts with motive bleeder and then did clutch slave cylinder by pushing a rod and bled all 4 calipers manually.
Pedal is _rock_ solid

[connorb850]

My car has the same problem and I haven't found a solution yet. I replaced most of what you did except the tie rods and brake calipers. When I did all the front suspension work about 10k miles ago, the steering jerk was improved some but is coming back again. I'm thinking about trying stiffer aftermarket control arm bushings to see if that helps. Did you use OE bushings?

Not sure if it is related, but I also have an intermittent steering wheel shimmy on braking. I am on my second set of new rotors with no change.

[crockets]

Normally the CA mounts fix that, happens only when you stab the brakes? E46's had this problem, mounts normally the cause but the stering rack was also the cuplrit as well.

[os2]

it happens only once, wheels jerks , goes back to the original position at the time I slightly tap the brakes. If I keep my foot on a brake pedal there is no more vibration or leaning to one side. Braking is perfect. Weird.

[aharon250]

My car does this too.. its really annoying and I haven't figured it out yet. oh well... also you have to take it to a shop to have the brakes bled properly because you have traction control..

[ublemaschine]

If you have rubber brake lines they can fail internally and restrict flow. This will cause a symptom similar to a seized caliper. It can cause one to not release pressure and drag, or restrict pressure to one and not the other. A smashed/kinked steel (hard line from master cyl to flex line) line could cause this too I suppose but doesn't seem likely as they generally are not prone to getting smashed unless you mess up your car pretty bad. I had a rubber line fail in my F150 that was causing a pull because it would hold pressure in the caliper because the rubber hose was acting like a check valve. If you have replaced everything else this may be something to look into. I think if inner tie rods or the rack was bad you would notice slop in your steering.


My car pulls and jerks all over the place on bumpy uneven roads. But it is not constant to one side. Does the car pull under braking or does the wheel just move? If you can hit the brakes and stop straight without holding the wheel (good luck finding a road smooth enough to do that) then your braking pressure is even, most likely. In this case you must have some steering play somewhere, but I ounce again, think you would notice that other times.

[os2]

If you have rubber brake lines they can fail internally and restrict flow. This will cause a symptom similar to a seized caliper.

I upgraded to stainless turner motorsports lines along with new rotors (brembo) new pads (pbr deluxe) and rebuilt calipers. while it made braking better it did nothing to that jerkiness.



I think if inner tie rods or the rack was bad you would notice slop in your steering.

Surprisingly I don't feel any slop in the steering. With the front wheels off the ground i was shaking them like crasy and did no notice any looseness in the wheel bearings.

Interesting that it does it if I slam the brakes go as slow as 15-20 mph so it does not seem to be that high-speed suspension issue caused by LCABs.
I tap the brakes , steering wheel jerks several degrees (either left or right, have not figured out the pattern) and then goes back, I keep my foot on the brake pedal to the complete stop and steering wheel does not move.



My car pulls and jerks all over the place on bumpy uneven roads. But it is not constant to one side. Does the car pull under braking or does the wheel just move? If you can hit the brakes and stop straight without holding the wheel (good luck finding a road smooth enough to do that) then your braking pressure is even, most likely. In this case you must have some steering play somewhere, but I ounce again, think you would notice that other times.

I know what you mean - with my hands off the steering wheel it does not pull to the side. On bumpy roads it tries to follow the grooves (tramlining) but that's normal especially since I have 235's all around.

I'm not that familiar with inner steering rods, are there any serviseable/replaceable parts that are not part of a steering rack?
I replaced #7 in
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/p/5.png
Wonder if #5 includes #7 or is a separate piece?

[ublemaschine]

#5 includes #7. #5 is the entire tie rod. #7 is the outer tie rod end. I think you need 2,3,4 if replacing the whole thing. I don't know what else to attribute it too other than the rack if it isn't those. Any bad parts in the steering shaft should cause slop all the time. If I was in your shoes I would use this as an excuse to put in a Z3 rack. There is a way to adjust pretension in the rack which could remove some slack. I saw how to do it in a thread here somewhere and could probably remember which nut it is that you have to turn if I was looking at the rack in my car right now.

[stevo99]

I have the exact same problem. I also had wobbly rotors and a bad steering rack so my steering wheel jerked left when tapping the brakes at slow speeds, the car floated all over the place at high speeds, and shook like a bastard under heavy braking.:eyecrazy
I replaced the rack, rotors and pads and all the symptoms went away except the steering wheel jerkiness.

I had my wife drive the car slowly down the drive tapping the brake pedal so I could look at the caliper and it seems to grab the rotor suddenly then let it go. I suspect the caliper is binding but it looked OK when I replaced the pads etc. I still think it is suspect. Has anybody solved this yet?

[eunit3357]

did anyone ever figure it out? I have had the same problem! It has driven me nuts. Rebuilt calipers, new lower control arms, bushings, struts, outer tie rods, pads, rotors, bled numerous times, and new tires. It seemed like once i leave the tire shop from new tires and alignment it was gone but within 15 min of testing it back. everything under there feels good nothing loose. Nothing loose while driving rock steady just the jerk when i tap the brakes. This is the first thread i found that someone actually knows what I am talking about. I started some threads and people just didn;t get it. It is so annoying and feels unsafe. When i hit the brakes and hold them on i dont get it. I quick tap and release is what does it all the way down to about 5mph. It feels like its getting worst i have a weird thump too. Feels like the rotor is loose or moving when the brakes engage but i know its not. I hope someone has or can help figure this out.

[D. Hitchcock]

This to me is a symptom of bad control arm bushings. But the OP says he's got new ones.

My e46 did this when I got it -- a quick jerk to the right when you hit the brakes, especially noticeable when you stabbed the brakes quick and hard.

First thing I did was install powerflex CABs and it stopping doing that jerking wheel thing.

d.hitchcock

[eunit3357]

I was just reading around and many have said the dealer fixed it by changing the rubber mount / bushing thing in the steering shaft. I have it on my work bench now just have not gotten to replacing it. Im going to try this week ill tell you how it turns out. Hitchcock thank you for info. I know its not a brake or suspension problem ( control arms/bushings/tie rods/ struts/ springs). I have replaced al along with tires and other things the only thing it can be is this little rubber round thing i have now or the rack. This was only 30 bucks so it was cheapest first. I dont think its the rack because i have no problems with it at all rock solid besides this. Ill let ya all know how it goes i just wanted to see if anyone else came up with this little rubber mount or something else i have not tried.

ALso like one member said it has no effect to the cars driving position like wont make my car dart to one side. I got this mount because i noticed a little play in the one i have on the car i just dont see how it can cause such an issue. We will see. I have done everything else so it has to be it.

[connorb850]

I was just reading around and many have said the dealer fixed it by changing the rubber mount / bushing thing in the steering shaft. I have it on my work bench now just have not gotten to replacing it. Im going to try this week ill tell you how it turns out.

Can you give a part number or a realoem diagram link to this mount/bushing so I can check the one on my car? Please do keep us posted on whether this fixes the problem.

I've been dealing with this issue for over a year, and tired of spending money on guessing.

[go323is]

do an alignment and see if that solve your problem

[studbike]

any more info on this problem? for those of us that have it, its so hard to explain to others!!

[scahtie]

Bringing back an old thread...did anyone figure out this problem? I am having the same issue in my car.

[cea4]

Changing the rubber mount / bushing thing in the steering shaft? Can anyone clarify the solution to this? I've got the same problem and i have an 05 745i. Same exact problem.

[shogun]

In case you have a problem with your 2005 745i, post the problem in the Forum: 2002 - 2008 (E65, E66)
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?273-2002-2008-(E65-E66)

[Hallatauer]

I had a similar problem with my wifes E46. Passenger side FCAB was shot. This is something to check on any bmw. Easy to replace too.

[DakarE36vert]

,,

Sent from my HTC Desire Eye using Tapatalk

[spyderg0d]

If the shimmy is not brake related, or steering componant related, its control arm bushing or balljoints. Simply put the control arm has play to move around, and the tie rod will transmit it through to the steering wheel.

[cea4]

602563602564

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I did notice that my driver side FCAB needs to be replaced. I just don't see how that can cause my steering wheel to jerk like this, but i've ordered the part from ebay and will replace it because it's bad.
Here is are pictures above .

[jmo69]

602563602564

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I did notice that my driver side FCAB needs to be replaced. I just don't see how that can cause my steering wheel to jerk like this, but i've ordered the part from ebay and will replace it because it's bad.
Here is are pictures above .
The steering wheel jerks because when the wheel slows it moves backwards or it tries to stop and the rest of the steering/suspension keeps moving forward. I'd get the parts from someone more reputable than e-bay, good oe control arm bushings aren't that expensive.

[cea4]

Wow !! THe problem has been solved by changing the control arm bushing! I changed the driver side control arm which was really bad as you saw in the picture and that was it :) I can't believe that was the problem, but i am glad it's over now :D YEAHHHH!!! Just wanted to post this up for anyone else who may encounter the same problem as myself. This was on a bmw 2005 745i. Enjoy and thanks again to all!!

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and thank you im09 for explaining it. You were right absolutely!! Cheers!! :D

[97M3GTR]

Rear trailing arm bushings are often over looked and will cause the steering angle shifts under hard braking.

[cea4]

Wow !! THe problem has been solved by changing the control arm bushing! I changed the driver side control arm which was really bad as you saw in the picture and that was it :) Thank you all for helping!! I can't believe that was the problem, but i am glad it's over now :D YEAHHHH!!

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97M3GTR (Rear trailing arm bushings are often over looked and will cause the steering angle shifts under hard braking.)

Tell me about it! I learned that lesson the hard way. And i remember when it started it was just a small jerk and it got worse and worse. I will definitely be doing the other side before that goes bad.
Thanks again man!! i appreciate it