» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 09-24-2008, 03:27 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,233 | Steering Wheel Vibration Hey guys picked up a 95ti a few weeks ago that was hit (minor) in the drivers side. bumper had already been replaced, just needs a new fender. I had a horrible steering wheel shake around 55-70. I can't get rid of it. I have put on: New tires, balanced. New Struts & Shocks New Rotors & Pads I have not done an alignment yet, but that *in my experience* only would fix if the car was pulling right or left.... any ideas? | | | 09-24-2008, 06:32 PM | #2 | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 | Ball joints, Tie rods, LCABs __________________ 4 MORE YEARS BABY!!! | | | 09-24-2008, 09:41 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 3,059 | I have the same problem when driving 70+. Is it normal, or is it the turbulence from other cars? It's not that bad, but it's noticeable. __________________ Come get a ti-shirt Quote: From the e30 M3, evolved the e36. They were "Keepin it Real" when they introduced the 318ti ClubSport in '95 and the 318ti Sports from '96 to '99. After that... well nothing else really matters. ~Jess | | | | 09-24-2008, 09:51 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | My Dad's E39 had this same problem, he took it to the dealer and had them replace the tires and balance the wheels. Didn't work. He took it back and had them replace some bushing up front. Didn't work. Finally, he got them to take it seriously and they found that one of his front brake calipers was the issue. Changed it out and the shaking went away. It was crazy though because it would only happen at 70+ speeds. Quote: Originally Posted by Maverix I have the same problem when driving 70+. Is it normal, or is it the turbulence from other cars? It's not that bad, but it's noticeable. | It should not be turbulence from other cars, I think the usual culprit is tires. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 09-27-2008, 01:31 PM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 14 | control arm bushings, ball joints, and alignment would be my start! | | | 09-27-2008, 01:34 PM | #6 | Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 14 | any bent wheels? | | | 09-27-2008, 03:51 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 1,106 | its your control arms on the bottem (the arms that connect to the wheels in the front) they are probally bent very sligtly. i had teh same problem. when i bought my car, it was smashed on the driver side, and would pull to the right (and also shake at high speeds over 60) it was relaly bent tho..haha.. anyway, i had it fixed, and i could hit 120 without it shaking.. then i had gotten into an accident where i smashed the front lower bumper ( i went up a steep hill .. haha) anyway. i think i bent the arm again, because it shakes like crazy after about 80 mph.. .. i would check your control arm. they arnt super expensive.. i had my mechanic buy a new arm, and install it for only $250.. + he fould the problem and everything.. i consider that a real deal.. haha.. sicne i took it to a differnt place, and they charged me $159 for an oil change.. =/ ... i was going to fight it.. but i was to pissed.. so i bumped into the owners car when i left (with my smashed up door wide open , almost taking off his mirror) atleast it was worth the $159 | | | 09-27-2008, 04:47 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 1,231 | drive shaft bushing or guibo. those two were causing my vibration. | | | 09-28-2008, 06:19 AM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 3,059 | Quote: Originally Posted by spidertri It should not be turbulence from other cars, I think the usual culprit is tires. | Yea, my tires have lost a lot of tread since I've been powersliding every time I change lanes. Even my mechanic said that I need new tires. It's gonna have to wait till I can get some actual rims. __________________ Come get a ti-shirt Quote: From the e30 M3, evolved the e36. They were "Keepin it Real" when they introduced the 318ti ClubSport in '95 and the 318ti Sports from '96 to '99. After that... well nothing else really matters. ~Jess | | | | 09-28-2008, 02:43 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Globally Posts: 1,162 | Quote: Originally Posted by Maverix Yea, my tires have lost a lot of tread since I've been powersliding every time I change lanes. Even my mechanic said that I need new tires. It's gonna have to wait till I can get some actual rims. | Don't be too foolish and wait then put the car into a guard rail. | | | 09-28-2008, 04:49 PM | #11 | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 | Quote: Originally Posted by Maverix Yea, my tires have lost a lot of tread since I've been powersliding every time I change lanes... | __________________ 4 MORE YEARS BABY!!! | | | 09-28-2008, 06:47 PM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 3,059 | I was over exaggerating, if it isn't obvious __________________ Come get a ti-shirt Quote: From the e30 M3, evolved the e36. They were "Keepin it Real" when they introduced the 318ti ClubSport in '95 and the 318ti Sports from '96 to '99. After that... well nothing else really matters. ~Jess | | | | 10-29-2008, 06:15 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,464 | Quote: Originally Posted by Xenocide I have not done an alignment yet, but that *in my experience* only would fix if the car was pulling right or left.... any ideas? | I had a car once that developed a terrible steering vibration between 50-60 MPH and the problem was apparently caused by the toe adjustment (alignment) being extremely out of whack. Once I had it aligned, the vibration went away | | | 10-29-2008, 02:49 PM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hawaii Kai Posts: 232 | Quote: Originally Posted by spidertri My Dad's E39 had this same problem, he took it to the dealer and had them replace the tires and balance the wheels. Didn't work. He took it back and had them replace some bushing up front. Didn't work. Finally, he got them to take it seriously and they found that one of his front brake calipers was the issue. Changed it out and the shaking went away. It was crazy though because it would only happen at 70+ speeds. It should not be turbulence from other cars, I think the usual culprit is tires. | Had the same problem in my past with an E36. It's called a frozen caliper and happens a LOT on BMW's. I don't understand why, but it does. I've noticed on most BMWs, front shimmying is rarely rotors, it's usually a wheel balance issue, followed by the frozen caliper or bad struts, lower control arm bushings. | | | 10-29-2008, 03:02 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | Yeah, he bought the car CPO and was able to get the issue taken care of once, under warranty. Unfortunately, it happened again with the other front caliper, he had to pay for that one. Dealer cut him a break though because it had happened before. BMW of Towson, good guys. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |