If you own a BMW X3, you must have experienced one of its most common troubles, which is feeling strange shudders but only while applying the brake, whereas the drive feels exceptionally smooth. This unusual behavior can be a bit scary if you don’t know how to deal with it. Don’t worry! You are not alone. Let’s figure out the actual reasons behind such an inconvenience so that you can easily fix the issues to avail of peak performance in your beloved BMW X3.
Distorted brake rotors
The bent or deformed brake rotors are one of the most likely culprits behind your shaky car, particularly while braking. What is a brake rotor? Well, it’s a metal disc that the brake pads grip to bring your car to a halt. However, these brake rotors wear due to rigorous usage, developing high and low spots and causing warping. Usually, what happens is when you push the brake pedal, the brake pads press against the irregular surface of the warped rotor and create unusual shudders in your BMW X3. This can be easily noticed when you brake at higher speeds with exaggerated irregularities.
Worn brake pads
The brake pads are responsible for gripping the brake rotor, but when the brake pads wear irregularly, it becomes obvious that one side may grip the rotor tighter than the other, causing vibration while braking. This usually happens due to poor installation, cheap pads, or lack of regular care. Sometimes, the brake pads also rupture due to aging, causing such issues.
Problematic suspension system
The primary job of the suspension system components, like the shocks, struts, etc, is to balance your car, offering a seamless ride. However, if any of the suspension parts get damaged, it can hamper the ride quality by developing imbalances and vibrations. This shaking can be felt a bit while driving at a constant speed but can only be fully observed while slowing down the speed or applying the brake to stop. It’s because the suspension parts usually absorb the friction that is produced while slowing down your vehicle. However, the damaged or broken suspension parts will be unable to perform the same, causing abnormal shudders.
Damaged wheel bearings
Since the wheel bearings enable smooth wheel rotation, so when they fail, you can feel abnormal vehicle shaking, especially while braking. These wheel bearings are braking system parts and can mess up seamless halting if loose or worn. They may also produce weird grinding noises while driving.
Brake caliper problems
The brake caliper usually secures the brake pads and pushes them against the brake rotors. Thus, with a sticking or faulty brake caliper, your BMW X3 encounters uneven braking pressure, and as a result, you feel shudders while using the brake. Moreover, it can eventually damage other brake system components by producing excessive heat.
Brake fluid issues
Though uncommon, low or dirty brake fluid can cause a vibration while braking, as brake fluid is very significant for optimal brake operation. The brake pedal can become spongy or irregular if there is air trapped in the brake lines or the brake fluid is contaminated with dust, debris, or rust particles.
Misaligned wheels
When your vehicle wheels become misaligned, they can tilt your vehicle either to the left or right, even if you are driving straight. This imbalance can also cause strange shudders while applying the brake. The wheel alignment is all about how the overall vehicle weight is distributed among all the wheels for vehicle stability. So, when the wheels become misadjusted, you can notice the tires wear unevenly and experience heavy vibrations while increasing the speed rather than braking or stopping.
Finally
So, this was all about the causes behind your vibrating BMW X3, specifically while applying the brake. Hopefully, you have understood the potential reasons causing such inconvenience and can solve the troubles by visiting the nearest BMW service center to repair or replace the damaged components. As the components related to the brake system and the suspension system are complex machines, they need effective restorations after precise diagnosis. Thus, you must consult a certified technician to tackle this. Remember to use new, high-quality parts suitable for your BMW X3 while replacing the damaged ones to ensure the longevity and efficiency of the newly installed part down the line.
