Shaky Steering Wheel!

[angelica]

Hi,
I recently bought a 98 318 IS Coupe and I've noticed that if i'm driving above 50 kph or so and have to brake hard enough the steering wheel gets very shaky while i'm slowing down.
Does anyone know what causes this?

 

[Big Daddy]

First thing to check is warpped front brake rotors. Second is bushings.

 

[wavewuver]

I believe Big Daddy is referring to your lower control arm bushings(LCAB).

Before you replace your LCAB's, make sure your ball joints are solid. If there is any movement in the ball joints, you'll need to replace your lower control arms too.

 

[mjbst111]

probably not rotors or your foot would be shaking too.

 

[frolf]

tread wear

alignment (Causing shitty treadwear)

warped rotors

new rotors on old pads (pads that were on while warped rotors were on)

bushings

 

[sly]

probably not rotors or your foot would be shaking too.

The classic symptom for warped rotors is that the brake pedal pulsates when the brake is applied, especially under hard braking. I've never had this vibration trasmit all the way to the steering wheel however.
Steering wheel vibrations can be caused by variety of things: under inflated tires, badly worn tires, tires in need of balancing, bent wheel(s), and worn ball joints. BTW if the ball joints are worn the vibration should get much worse if you rapidly turn your wheels side to side. Check the possible causes in the order that I have them listed.

 

[Big Daddy]

When the rotors warped on my seven the steering wheel shook under hard braking, the pedal never pulsed. Same thing occured with my Chev PU, both cases it was the rotors.

 

[mjbst111]

well theres proof then i guess, I've never experienced that. But i have experienced the pedal shake on probably 6 different cars.... all being the rotors

ever feel shakey rear rotors?!?! thats another experience. shakes the whole car!

 

[tonyvt]

When the rotors warped on my seven the steering wheel shook under hard braking, the pedal never pulsed. Same thing occured with my Chev PU, both cases it was the rotors.

I agree!