330Ci darts to left when tapping the brake

[rebidus]

Hi - my 2001 330ci, 168,000 miles, has started darting to the left when I tap the brakes, whether on highways or local roads, at low speeds to highway speeds. It's an immediate action, not a consistent pull feeling, just a quick movement left with a slight clunk, then it resumes tracking straight. I recently took ownership of the car; I don't know its service history. I would like to make the repairs myself. Any ideas please? thank you

[White94RX]

I can just about bet the front control arm bushings are shot. And at that mileage, it's also possible the ball joints may be worn out.

[rebidus]

I can just about bet the front control arm bushings are shot. And at that mileage, it's also possible the ball joints may be worn out.

Thank you. I'll be getting under the car to have a look. Is there any sort of test or anything I should look for to be sure the CAB and or ball joints are shot? Much appreciated

[White94RX]

To test the control arm bushings, just roll at a slow speed, and quickly stab the brake pedal a few times. You'll hear it clunk and feel it in the steering wheel.

As far as the ball joints, you'd need to jack up that wheel, and grab the wheel and try and rock it back and forth at like 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, and also at 12 and 6. Shouldn't really be any play.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[jclausen]

Do the test it's easy as mentioned above

[rebidus]

thank you, gents. putting it on jackstands today

[rebidus]

just returned from travels. There is play when grabbing the LF tire at three and six; no play at RF. I reckon I'll replace the control arms assuming they come with ball joints and CAB. Trying to determine from my Bentley Publishers 3 series service manual if I'll need special tools. I'll also google for youtube videos. thanks again, I appreciate you

[jclausen]

Replace both arms and bushings

[rebidus]

thank you, yes

[spacecase]

Your right front Caliper is frozen...

[All2kool]

Your right front Caliper is frozen...

Perhaps, but not completely.

My 2002 did this (not darting, just pulling slightly to the right when braking) but after I installed new front pads, it stopped.

A bit of advice to the OP: Replace the front CAB's that are complete; as in the carrier already. Much easier to do.

[spacecase]

Perhaps, but not completely.

My 2002 did this (not darting, just pulling slightly to the right when braking) but after I installed new front pads, it stopped.

A bit of advice to the OP: Replace the front CAB's that are complete; as in the carrier already. Much easier to do.

If you installed new pads and it went away and replaced nothing else then it would be it completely. My guess is to put the new pads on you put a screw driver in forcing the piston back into the caliper. That may have been enough to free it. Does have symptoms of control arm bushing or ball joint however.

[All2kool]

...you put a screw driver in forcing the piston back into the caliper.

Actually, it was a large C-Clamp because the new pads were never going to fit without doing so and I'm not an idiot. Calipers don't spring back; they just stop applying pressure when you stop pressing the brake. At least that's how I understand it.

[ConvGeorge]

just returned from travels. There is play when grabbing the LF tire at three and six; no play at RF. I reckon I'll replace the control arms assuming they come with ball joints and CAB. Trying to determine from my Bentley Publishers 3 series service manual if I'll need special tools. I'll also google for youtube videos. thanks again, I appreciate you

Play at 3 and 6 is usually a tie rod (either inner or outer.)

[///M Powered]

Hi - my 2001 330ci, 168,000 miles, has started darting to the left when I tap the brakes, whether on highways or local roads, at low speeds to highway speeds. It's an immediate action, not a consistent pull feeling, just a quick movement left with a slight clunk, then it resumes tracking straight. I recently took ownership of the car; I don't know its service history. I would like to make the repairs myself. Any ideas please? thank you

Just went through the same thing with my car, same exact issue. It was the LCAB's (one side was shot causing the pull to one side when braking)