» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 04-04-2005, 03:06 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Steering wheel shakes @ 40 MPH As I have mentioned recently, I've installed rims and tires on my car. The one odd thing is this little shaking the steering wheel does @ about 40MPH. This wasn't happening with the original wheels I had just removed. It doesn't do it above or below this speed. The tire shop that installed my rims and tires said one of my rims is out of round. I plan to exchange that rim soon, but want to be sure what is causing the problem. The rim that has a problem was moved from the front right, to thr rear right, and the problem didn't really go away. A friend of mine said that the extra weight of the rims might cause the problem. He said that there are steering dampers that might be causing the problem due to the extra weight. I plan on swapping the original wheels in the front, and driving it for awhile, to see if the wobble goes away. Then I can determine that the problem was with the front wheels. I still won't know if it's the weight issue, or if the front wheels have problems. I hate when one shop blames the parts or work from another shop/supplier. If it is a balance issue, then I want the tire shop to own up and fix it. One final point, if the wheel is out of round, shouldn't a wheel balance compensate for this problem, atleast if the wheel isn't too bad? __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 04-04-2005, 04:48 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | BMW's use Hub centric rims. Honda's have a similar problem. I'm sure there are others. Good tire shops have some little widgets made of plastic called hub centrics that go on your hub to act as a center/shim to fill in the difference between your hub diameter and the diameter of the wheel center hole. Otherwise you can end up with the wheel being offset a few thousands and it will vibrate or rumble. Good Luck Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-04-2005, 04:51 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 3,244 | I've always been told that out of round cannot be fixed. Maybe masked, but the tire will rumble and deteriorate faster. __________________ My Former Rides 1999 318ti Alpine White, Cali Roof, Dinan goodies 1996 318ti Hellrot California Edition | | | 04-04-2005, 04:51 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 549 | steering dampner might have gone out. also, on my old 190e, I had plus size wheels/tires and crossdrilled rotors. braking from above 60mph would cause the steering wheel to shake alot. this was due to warped rotors. don't know if its the same thing as your situation but maybe that'll help. __________________ 318Ti Sport (Gone, but thanks for your years of service) | M3 E30 | 190E-16V | M Coupe E36/8 | | | 04-04-2005, 06:40 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Hey Dave I like your answer The rims did come with these 4 orange plastic rings, but I didn't have them put on. Maybe that is the problem. The tire shop said I might need them, after I explained I had them. That is easy enough to check, they will put them on for free. As for the rim, seems replacing might be hard. The exchange rate has hurt imports on European rims. I'm not even sure the original retailer carries this brand anymore. Thanks Eric Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead BMW's use Hub centric rims. Honda's have a similar problem. I'm sure there are others. Good tire shops have some little widgets made of plastic called hub centrics that go on your hub to act as a center/shim to fill in the difference between your hub diameter and the diameter of the wheel center hole. Otherwise you can end up with the wheel being offset a few thousands and it will vibrate or rumble. Good Luck Dave | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 04-04-2005, 06:44 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | What do you mean steering dampner gone out? The wheels I had on the car previously where OEM 15" rims. This problem was not happening with them. Could the steering dampner have "gone out" because of the new rims/tires? Quote: Originally Posted by AutoM3otives steering dampner might have gone out. also, on my old 190e, I had plus size wheels/tires and crossdrilled rotors. braking from above 60mph would cause the steering wheel to shake alot. this was due to warped rotors. don't know if its the same thing as your situation but maybe that'll help. | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 04-04-2005, 06:54 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord Posts: 326 | Are the rims new or used? If they are used you may have a bent rim. __________________ 1998 318TI DASC•Custom Black Leather Interior w/ Silver Inserts•AC Schnizter:Pedals/Shift Knob/E-Brake Handle•Aluminum Gauge Faces•Alpine Speakers/Tweeters•Custom False Floor System•K&N Filter•Hi-Flow Z3/ti 97’•M3 Clutch•Lightweight Flywheel•Turner Motorsports SSK•H&R Race Springs•Racing Dynamics:Front Strut Brace/Sway Bar/Shocks/Bodykit/Rear Spoiler•Brembo Cross-Drilled Rotors•Supersprint Exhaust•19” Seducer Wheels•M3 Mirrors•Clear Corner Lights/Side Markers•Euro Taillights•DZUZ Fastened•3.73 LSD | | | 04-04-2005, 07:00 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Rims were brand new in the box. Tires were used Dunlop Sport 8000 235/45/17. Quote: Originally Posted by city Are the rims new or used? If they are used you may have a bent rim. | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 04-04-2005, 08:15 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | You might ask how the tire shop knows they are out of round, If they spun them on your car and they weren't centered on the hub they would wobble as if out of round. I would see if they can take the tire off and do a runout test on the rim. You might have notice my side not about honda's having this problem. we went through two sets of rims at the shop, thinking they weren't tru or out of round. My wife was chasing the problem and asked the guy why you couldn't see the rims wobble on the balancer but you could on the car. There were some red faces at the shop when they figured it out... My wife was pretty pleased with herself.... Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-04-2005, 09:49 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | What actually happened was, he said he noticed when balancing the wheel, it was out of round. He showed me by putting the wheel on the tire balancer, and seeing the rim wabble when spun slowly. But this begs the question. If he was to put the shim on the so called "out of round" rim, then put it on the wheel balancer, would I have seen the wabble? Should wheels be balanced on the wheel balancer with or without the shims? Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead You might ask how the tire shop knows they are out of round, If they spun them on your car and they weren't centered on the hub they would wobble as if out of round. I would see if they can take the tire off and do a runout test on the rim. You might have notice my side not about honda's having this problem. we went through two sets of rims at the shop, thinking they weren't tru or out of round. My wife was chasing the problem and asked the guy why you couldn't see the rims wobble on the balancer but you could on the car. There were some red faces at the shop when they figured it out... My wife was pretty pleased with herself.... Dave | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 04-04-2005, 09:55 PM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Springfield, Va Posts: 164 | Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead You might ask how the tire shop knows they are out of round, If they spun them on your car and they weren't centered on the hub they would wobble as if out of round. I would see if they can take the tire off and do a runout test on the rim. You might have notice my side not about honda's having this problem. we went through two sets of rims at the shop, thinking they weren't tru or out of round. My wife was chasing the problem and asked the guy why you couldn't see the rims wobble on the balancer but you could on the car. There were some red faces at the shop when they figured it out... My wife was pretty pleased with herself.... Dave | What was the problem/solution? | | | 04-04-2005, 09:56 PM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | I'd make sure the balancer is a hub centric balancer, some use a mechanism that centers on the lugs, you shouldn't need the shims on the balancer, usually they use cone shaped centering anvils to make sure the rim is centered. Assuming that it does , it sounds like the rims are out of true.... How old are the rims? I'd expect warrantee coverage if they are new. Good luck... Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-04-2005, 09:59 PM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | Quote: Originally Posted by sKunkman What was the problem/solution? | They put the plastic shims on the hubs and installed the wheels. Smooth as silk after that. Funny thing was all the technicians knew about the problem with the hondas and all of them involved missed that they weren't used. Just a case of mass forgetfulness.... Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-04-2005, 10:43 PM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: oc-california Posts: 239 | my cars steering wheel shacked at 40 mph, mech said it was the lf balljoint getting some play in it. it eventually make my tire unbalanced after not fixing it. | | | 04-05-2005, 12:15 AM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: bris Posts: 287 | I had the same problem. A wheel balance and allignment fixed the problem. Also, make sure your tyres are always at the recommended PSI. | | | | | 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 | | | |