Steering Wheel Wobble Under Braking

[parsco]

I purchased a 56 reg Focus 1.8 TDCI Zetec on the weekend and noticed that the steering wheel wobbles under braking but there is no pulsating through the brake pedal.

After doing quite a bit of reading and checking of the car the discs are pretty much brand new which makes me think the previous owner probably changed them in the hope it would fix the problem. I've read that it's most likely the front suspension trailing arm bushes that need changing (although changing the whole wishbone would be easier and better off for the car).

It had an MOT before I picked her up and there were 2 advisories about these bushes looking deteriorated but no excess movement in them. I've checked them myself with a pry bar etc... and there is no movement in them. Could these still be the issue or should I be looking elsewhere?

[Reluctant Ford owner]

If the new discs were fitted on hubs that were not cleaned properly, you will still get judder. It only takes dirt about the thickness of a human hair on the hub to put the disc out of alignment and cause judder. You should also check the calipers and slider pins are not seized etc.

[ippy]

do you get any wheel wobble at certain speeds ie; 50 60 70 if so it could be wheel balance problem or someone has kerbed it or a dodgy tyre,

[mintalkin]

i would say the discs are the problem,get the discs checked for run out with a dial guage,

[parsco]

Got it back yesterday and it was the front brakes. There was no play in the front suspension at all so after they took it for a spin they said it must be the brakes. I told them to put some decent spec ones on there so I've got Brembo discs and Ferodo pads. Much better now and all running great.

I have got a very slight wheel wobble at 60mph or more but I'm putting this down to wheel balance so having them balanced and tracking checked to make sure. They also noticed (which I have now after a long drive today) that my front nearside wheel bearing is making a bit of a noise so I'll get that replaced too.

Happy days.