RE: Steering Vibration - Tried Everything

[jsevd]

RE: Steering Vibration - Tried Everything

Hi Guys:

I am at my wit's end.

I bought a 1993 318is about two months ago. I knew the car needed some front end work, so I bought it anyways.

There was a bad steering wheel shake above 40 MPH +. I took the care to a local import shop and they had the both lower control arms, both tied rods and the bushings replaced as they were worn and this appeared to be the issue.

Great, problem solved right - not even close. The repair shop then stated that the front tires were out of round, so I bought two new tires (225/50/16's) - still the same problem. This repair shop states that the front end is perfect so they cannot isolate why the steering wheel shaking persists.

I have tried a road force balance on all four tires, moved the back rims to the front to see if there was a wheel rim issue - still the same problem.

In desperation, I tried replacing the front rotors in the small hope that perhaps they were not balanced - same problem (AHH!).

I have spend almost 1500$ and I am stuck with the same problem that makes the car almost unbearable.

The only thing I have not yet tried is putting two completely new rims/tires up front to see if the problem abates. The current rims are 16" M3 knocks that were on the cardwhen I bought it, so maybe there could be some type of issue with this rim brand just not seating correctly against the wheel housing? I really don't want to plunk another couple of hundred down on a pipe dream solution.

As anyone had any simliar expierences on their 318 and what your soultion was? I am really at the end of my rope and I cannot continue to throw money away - but what option do I have?

Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[e30fr3@k]

well you could trade me rims and see if that's the problem no, but in all seriousness, you need a new auto car specialist. i know a lot of these guys don't graduate from high school, but you pulled the shortest straw, ya know? i don't even think it has to be a BMW or import place. just go anywhere reputable, because this place you're going to now has no idea(obviously). my steering wheel shakes a little bit around corners at 60-70 but nothing major. i think my problem is just an old car kinda thing, as it is 15 years old. good luck with your problem, and finding a new auto specialist.

 

[Bimmerlife]

If you changed the Lower control arms and bushing, tie rods, sway bar links and you still have shaking than it will most likely be a bad rack and pinion.

If the rims are bend in some place, it could cause vibration too.

Did they change stock lower control arm bushings or solid offset bushings?

 

[e30fr3@k]

doh! well i feel smart for thinking of that but retarded on the other hand for not suggesting it.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Also important question, did the srvice replace OEM parts, especially the tie rods or aftermaket ones?

This is very important question!

 

[Bimmerlife]

well you could trade me rims and see if that's the problem no, but in all seriousness, you need a new auto car specialist. i know a lot of these guys don't graduate from high school, but you pulled the shortest straw, ya know? i don't even think it has to be a BMW or import place. just go anywhere reputable, because this place you're going to now has no idea(obviously). my steering wheel shakes a little bit around corners at 60-70 but nothing major. i think my problem is just an old car kinda thing, as it is 15 years old. good luck with your problem, and finding a new auto specialist.

You will probably need to change the struts, shocks and shock mounts, balljoints, bushings and do a good alignment.

 

[e30fr3@k]

just replaced my shocks. how much is all that other crap gonna cost? i'm thinking hell no. at least for now.

 

[jsevd]

Thanks for the feeback. I bought a lemon - and I guess I have little hope.

Lesson learned about having a complete inspection before buying (a very expensive lesson).

The repairs were made with aftermarket parts (I believe Lemforder) and they changed the lower control arm bushings . Could the steering rack cause the vibration when there is no groaning, and the steering feels very fluid and tight?

My last option may be to take the car into a BMW dealer to find out once and for all what the repairs may be, but if it is the rack it will probably cost me at least a $1000 to fix, and I will probably just then try to sell the car and take my losses.

 

[Bimmerlife]

There is the problem. Aftermarket parts. Never change aftermarket parts.

Try to lift your car, remove the wheel and grab the tie rod. If you cant turn it they are bad.

Believe me I had this same problem. I replaced aftermarket tie rods and after 3000miles they we're gone! Vibration was still there. Bavarian Autosport refunded me money and I ordered OEM. I have never instaled any aftermarket part on my car (only the tie rods) and had bad experience. All the ball joints might be bad you have.

I suggest to precisely inspect the rack and pinion. If there is play or is going tight than it will cause vibration no matter what.

If there is no problem with rack and pinion, than the only thing is to change Lower control arms, Tie Rods and Sway Bar links for OEM parts.

have them check your front struts and strut mounts. But go to some serious shop!

I am a mechanic and I am very precise in this thing but if I can't see it and feel it, I can only tell you what can be wrong.

 

[Big Daddy]

Take the car to a full service tire shop. Have them check the front end. If your rack is not loose, binding or otherwise not functioning properly I doubt it is the steering rack. There is nothing wrong with Lemforder. A good tire or front end shop should be able to steer you in the right direction (no pun intended). I doubt you have a "lemon" most likely someone has overlooked something.

 

[Kenny2g]

I'll say:
Bent Rims, Lower Ball Joint (I had this problem with mine) Also common on E36, Control Arm, Allignments, Shaft, and Wheel balancing. Try these. Hope this helps.

 

[Kirby]

Don't know your car, but I had a problem on my Volvo similar to this. On the Volvo there is a brace arm that runs at a 45 degree angle from the bottom of the strut back to the frame. The bushings on each side had dry rotten, making it very wobbly.

 

[carcus]

Check the balance on the rims, it will tell you if one is bent quickly. Also, Euro cars are realy touchy on aftermarket rims. Some cars require hubcentric rims or they can vibrate at highway speeds.

 

[jsevd]

Again, good feeback.

I dropped of the car off today at a local BMW dealer that a friend has given high marks. I should have the results of their road test/inspection by tomorrow afternoon. I will keep everyone posted on what the final verdict is; hopefully it is just something minor left that has been overlooked.

 

[polar]

my guess....steering rack

 

[jlfarley]

Jsevd, definitely keep us posted. I'm having the same problem

 

[jsevd]

Hi Guys:

And the verdict is .........

Wheel spacers.

Turns out that the 16" knock off M3 look rims on the car will not seat properly against the stock wheel hub causing this continued vibration even after fixing the worn front end parts.

My question for the moron who bought the rims prior my buying the car: How long did he put up with this? Obviously the vibration would have been apparent as soon as he put the new rims on the car; you think he would have fixed the issue at some point after spending the $1500 plus for the new rims and tires.

The techinican told me that after a year or so, such vibration could have easily hastned the demise of the control arms/tie rods that I had to replace. Brillant!

I still have a very slight vibration at 65MPH+, but it is 95% cured, so unless I go back to stock rims, this is a slight tradeoff on having this M3 look.

Kudos to Patrick BMW in Schaumburg IL for a job well done. Charged only 50$ for the diagnostic and 50$ for the parts and labor.

Still ticked off the orginal shop I went to couldn't figure this out and save me the aggravation.

Oh well, at least I am done for now (and hoping this it for the near future in the ways of added $ sunk into the car).

 

[jlfarley]

So were you able to get new wheel spacers? Or did they do something else to remedy the problem?

 

[jsevd]

They were installed by the dealer for 50$ which included the labor.