'96 328is front suspension vibration

[John k...]

I'm new here and have a technical question. My 96 328is (sport suspension) has developed a strange vibration in the front suspension. It only occurs are highway speed, above 60 mph or so and ONLY on very gentle left hand curves, like a mild lane change, turning the wheel about 5 or 10 degrees. It feel a little like a shimmy or one or both tires bouncing on this gentle turn in. The front end seem to get light. Almost like the car is pushing. No problems going straight, any level of right turn in and harder left turn in. The problem also dissappears if a little left foot brake is applied or I turn in a litte more. No pulling either way, driving or under braking. Wheels are balanced. Alignments should be good. I checked but didn't find any obvious slop in the front sustension but I still question the control amy bushings and possibly strutts.

Anyone experience a similar problem and have a solution?

John k...

 

[f1racer77]

sounds like a wheel bearing to me. jack the car up and wiggle the front tire up and down and side to side. If there is any play, change the bearing.

 

[frolf]

e36's have notoriously weak ball joints.

check those immediately.

 

[Kenny2g]

I can put $100 down that the problem is your Ball Joint. I've had this problem before. Just do the following jack the car up and wiggle the front tire up and down and side to side. If it shakes, then it's the LOWER BALL JOINT and not the bearing.

 

[Kirby]

I had this issue on a Volvo. The spindle nut that holds the wheel on and loads the wheel bearings needed to be a little tighter.

 

[John k...]

Thanks for the replies. I've had the car up and nothing seems loose Ball joints seem tight. Whell bearings to. With the wheels up there is no play if I try to move the tires left or right. Vertically the only movement is in the suspension. I'll double check the wheel bearings though. I really didn't look to closely at them. But I agree they seem like the likely suspects. Thanks...

 

[my3rdbimmer]

outer ball joints... just had mine done... same problem.. mine seemed tight too..