Steering wheel vibration (high speed, light breaking)

[JettaB.Ont]

hey guys, didn't know where to put this.. but i got an 04 GLI with this recent problem bugging me.

When I'm driving at about 60 mph, and i apply the brakes lightly, i get a vibration in the steering wheel.

it doesn't happen under heavy breaking, just when i press the pedal down lightly to slow down, and there is NO pulsation in the pedal at all during any time.

Some history of the car:

Just did pads and rotors 2 weeks ago,
car has spacers, hub centring.. the problem occurs with out the spacers also.
had an alignment a month ago.
had tires balanced 2 months ago
tires are 2 months old.

[cclinard1]

I have a similar issue on mine. My outer CV boot is torn. I'm replacing the inner and outer soon. The shaking/vibration doesn't occur all the time as you said, but only under light braking.

[A-Bugg]

Have you checked your tierods?

[mattyrankin9]

Lol. You need front rotors.

[livef4st]

Weak/Blown lower control arm bushings can cause this as well.

Or just slightly warped rotors. If that's the case, the steering wheel shimmy under braking will progressively get worse, despite braking pressure applied.

[Tobaccula]

I had the same issue, thought it was the rotors, except they are all new. The lower control arm bushings were ruined. the ones that come stock are crap. Go to ECS and get the heavy duty bushings, fixed me, it'll probably fix you. $50 for front and rear (although the fronts looked new) 2 hours, and an alignment. good to go. If your CV boot is torn look for a local shop that specializes, mine was replaced for $25. cant beat that.

[livef4st]

I had the same issue, thought it was the rotors, except they are all new. The lower control arm bushings were ruined. the ones that come stock are crap. Go to ECS and get the heavy duty bushings, fixed me, it'll probably fix you. $50 for front and rear (although the fronts looked new) 2 hours, and an alignment. good to go. If your CV boot is torn look for a local shop that specializes, mine was replaced for $25. cant beat that.

^^^

[JettaB.Ont]

thanks for all the replies guys.. is there any visual sign i can check for the bushings ?

The rotors are 2 weeks old, there is no way they are warped, and its not a pedal pulsation.. just steering wheel under light breaking only at high speed (60+)

[Tobaccula]

Jack up your car and look at the rear bushings, I'm sure you will see that the rubber is torn out of the bushing.

http://vimeo.com/35783863

That's the best DIY I've seen and its exactly how I did it.