posting this for a friend with an 03 CLs

So for the past year or so I will be driving at 65-70 and then when I hit the brakes the steering wheel violenty shakes at around 55 and then seems to be pretty decent afterwards. When in neutral the wheel does not vibrate, but in drive it does vibrate. I have had the car balanced, realigned like 2 months ago using the best hunter machine available. I brought the car into the dealership to inspect the brakes, rotors, and engine mounts, the dealer said they are all fine. What can the problem be then?

 

Problem is the dealer. Have him get the brakes checked out again somewhere else. Cant hurt.

Do they rotate the tires when balancing them? Maybe try that.

 

How were the brakes checked? Only way to measure if they are warped is to use a run out gauge.
& if it been happening a full year, then it's likely not the tires or balancing. I'd say warped rotors. Weird it seems to go away in N, but then again none of us can confirm what is actually being done to test it.

 

Best guesses, most likely to least:
1) Tires [still] out of balance
2) Bent wheel
3) Bad tire[s] - bubble, separating tread, feathered tread, etc. (esp. after a year of vibrating)
4) Warped rotors

 

yeah, I think your rotors are warped...

 

They checked it out in like 20 min or so...not sure how they tested it...rotors were a problem and i got them replaced at like 13k originally...

I've had the same back brakes for 40,000 miles now....they still say they dont need to be replaced yet.

I thought you cant balance a rim on a bent wheel....I did it at reputable shop with the hunter gsp7000 machine.

Tires...had the same problem with other tires.

Guess its time for new rotors....do I need to get new front and back rotors? Can the dealer check, ill bring it to the Gainesville dealership when I get back from spring break.

 

is it only when hitting the brakes? This thread may or may not help you, but check into your CV joints/axles:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149691

I had severe vibration but only under acceleration from 45-60 mph and changing the axles fixed it. I went through the same thing as you, multiple balances, alignments, new wheels and tires, and dealer trips.

 

Acceleration no vibration, only feel it braking from above 60 and the worst at 55mph, then as i continue breaking the car doesnt feel smooth on its way down.

 

Oh yeah check to see if any of your wheel studs are broken. I had a rear 1 broken on mine. Found it by accident. I was getting some brake vibration when stopping from 80+. After I got the wheel stud fixed the vibration went away.

 

One of my friends who has a Tl said he had the same problem, he went to the dealership and got it fixed they said his wheels studs were broken.

 

I will check it out, how can I know if a wheel stud is broken? Also i am using 235/45/17 tires, instead of standard 215/50/17

 

Only way is to loosen your lug nuts 1 at a time.