Bent Subframe?

[Kraln]

A while ago, my Ti and I got into a little accident which involved a curb and a busted up wheel.

I went to a shop and got the alignment checked out and everything, and they said that it appeared fine, but that they really couldn't do the alignment on the rear wheels because they're not adjustable (E30 rear, makes sense).

Anyway, at highway speeds, I can feel vibration and it's definitely coming from that rear wheel that was dinged in the accident (all four wheels have been swapped, and winter tires put on). At greater than highway speeds, it becomes a real problem.

Have I managed to bend my rear subframe? What can I do?

[marleymon]

just because the rear is not adjustable, they should have given you the current specs so you know where it's at.
If you do need a subframe, I have one...best deal on the planet too.

[Kraln]

Originally Posted by marleymon

If you do need a subframe, I have one...best deal on the planet too.

How best is best? I may go at it with a sledge hammer.

[mischief]

take your car to other shop and have them check the alignment for the rear.
i also have a subframe but it might trailing arm that is bent i also have this part..

[marleymon]

Originally Posted by Kraln

How best is best? I may go at it with a sledge hammer.

basically new, new bushings, you won't beat the best price...a possible to pick up in dc area if you let me know in the next 24 hours (sister leaves for dc tomorrow afternoon)...
or actual shipping won't run more than $30.

send me a pm if interested.

josh

[Kraln]

It's not terribly bad, so I'm going to let it slide until the 90,000 mile mark (coming up soon) where a bunch of stuff gets done anyway.

[Bluebimma]

When my car had very minute play in the wheel bearing, the dealership refused to do an alignment on it or check to see if my subframe was damaged.

[cosmos schwarz]

you need a rear camber kit, i got a k-mac one after i smacked my car into a kurb. i got a backstreet garage to fit the adjustable bushes on their least camber/toe. then took it to a really good accident repair centre where they spent a total of 3.5 hours checking the car chassis on a jig, proved the chassis legs were straight, then 4-wheeled aligned it, they came back saying that their was a bent arm, but it didnt matter because they were able to adjust the rear camber to the same as the other side as i had bought the k-mac kit. it was an expensive job, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[mooseheadm5]

Try swapping the rear wheels to the front. Tire shops are notorious for screwing up tire balancing. I know, it's all they do, but I got an M5 wheel back from Merchants once that was 4oz out of balance!! If the vibration moves to the steering wheel, then it is a tire balance issue. Does the vibration abate at any speed? Unbalanced wheels often vibrate only at certain speeds. Worth a shot, as it costs no money to test, only 20 minutes of your time.
-Paul

[Kraln]

Originally Posted by mooseheadm5

Try swapping the rear wheels to the front. Tire shops are notorious for screwing up tire balancing.

The wheels/tires were mounted, balanced, and aligned at a BMW mechanic, and I'm pretty sure they did it right. (I was watching)

Originally Posted by mooseheadm5

If the vibration moves to the steering wheel, then it is a tire balance issue. Does the vibration abate at any speed?

It doesn't move to the steering wheel, but is definitely sourcing from the rear passenger side. Lower than about 50mph the vibration doesn't really stand out, but the car still 'feels' different than it did before I hit that curb.

[mooseheadm5]

Check that anyway. It is also pretty easy to lose a wheel weight if it wasn't put on correctly or if it is a stick on that didn't adhere properly. Like I said, worth a shot, and it's the first thing we go after when we get a vibration out of a car here at the shop.
-Paul