Applying the brakes at higher speeds
 

Hello friends:

I've been meaning to post this question for awhile now. I had new front pads and rotors installed in mid-April, and I had the rear rotors and pads inspected. They were fine, so no replacement was done on them.

The brakes are great -- the pedal is nice and firm and I have no problems with them. If I apply them gradually, they don't really have any problems.

My problem arises when I'm going 55-70 and I press firmly on the brakes. The whole car kind of vibrates or shimmys -- that's the best word I can use to describe it. It only does this when I'm traveling at higher speeds and have to press firmly on the pedal. If I press the pedal gradually, there is no vibration.

Would anyone have an idea as to what might be causing this?

Thanks for the help!!

-Michael.

I would closely check tie-rod ends, ball joints and even the steering damper.

My '91 300E started doing this and it turned out to be a tie-rod end. I had recently looked at them and they seemed fine. On closer inspection, it was clear it was bad. At slow speeds no problem, but at higher speeds an oscillation occurred much like what you are describing.

Jeff