E36 - 'juddering' when taking fast left-handers
Discussion
Noticed this happening last night on the way back home from an evening out. Taking a left-hand bend at +50mph, the car feels like it's juddering or skipping a little - like a 4-wheel drift but not (it still grips). Right-hand bends are fine, it feels like it has plenty of grip. I did wonder initially if it was a cruddy surface but after testing a few times, it seems to be doing it fairly consistently in different corners.
I know it's not much of a description but I'm wondering if anyone has experience this or could give me pointers as to where to start? I'm guessing it could be rear suspension bushes, wheel bearing or possibly diff-related? Tyre pressures are all fine (first obvious thing to check).
It makes the car feel a bit unsettled into corners and I'd like to fix whatever's wrong. Any ideas?
Edit: I don't think it's wheel balance either, it's fine in a straight line or turning right.
I know it's not much of a description but I'm wondering if anyone has experience this or could give me pointers as to where to start? I'm guessing it could be rear suspension bushes, wheel bearing or possibly diff-related? Tyre pressures are all fine (first obvious thing to check).
It makes the car feel a bit unsettled into corners and I'd like to fix whatever's wrong. Any ideas?
Edit: I don't think it's wheel balance either, it's fine in a straight line or turning right.
Edited by Funk on Sunday 22 June 13:05
Control arms themselves are usually fine. It's the ball joint and bushes that tend to go and they don't last a particularly long time.
The lollipop bushes are a straight swap but the ball joint on the 'wishbone' are a little more troublesome. I just buy new control arms when it comes to the ball joints going. Far less hassle.
Also have a look at using E30 ones due to the ball joint design, they fit exactly the same and usually work out cheaper for a better design.
The lollipop bushes are a straight swap but the ball joint on the 'wishbone' are a little more troublesome. I just buy new control arms when it comes to the ball joints going. Far less hassle.
Also have a look at using E30 ones due to the ball joint design, they fit exactly the same and usually work out cheaper for a better design.
good to hear. At least yours didn't go completely pop like mine did by the sound of it. I remember trying to take a corner and it felt like the car was going to spontaneously combust.
The difference is night and day though with the new ones.
I predict your next problem will be cooling system related, my radiator went pop a couple of weeks ago so I give you a month or two.
The difference is night and day though with the new ones.
I predict your next problem will be cooling system related, my radiator went pop a couple of weeks ago so I give you a month or two.
Mine was done last year! £80 for the rad so can't complain. I also changed the water pump for a metal version and replaced the (disintegrated) coolant float sensor at the same time. She had new oil, filters and plugs within the last 6-9 months or so, so all being well nothing else 'pending'.
The only thing I've noticed driving today is that the car seems to want to pull to the left. Not sure whether it just needs realigning but it didn't do it before the shocks were changed. I'll let things settle in a bit and get it back on the Hunter again once it's had a chance to bed down a bit.
The only thing I've noticed driving today is that the car seems to want to pull to the left. Not sure whether it just needs realigning but it didn't do it before the shocks were changed. I'll let things settle in a bit and get it back on the Hunter again once it's had a chance to bed down a bit.
Ok, had it on the Hunter today and it's within a gnat's whisker if being spot on. Tyre pressures checked but it's still veering left a lot. Doesn't do it all the time which leads me to think it's just following camber and ruts. Are they known for this? I'm certain it was nothing like this bad before.
On the plus side the ride is excellent again.
On the plus side the ride is excellent again.
Edited by Funk on Thursday 7th August 02:39
Try moving the left wheel next time you're parked up, I had a fair bit of movement from mine in a horizontal (as you look side on at the car) motion.
Just grab on a spoke and push up and down, if it rocks forward and back when the handbrake is your front arm control bush and/or ball joint may need sorting
This is only a possible, mine does still very occasionally pull left and right and feels sensitive to road condition but is a lot better now that I've changed the lot.
Only downside for you, if you do need to change them, your wheel alignment was pretty much for no reason.
Just grab on a spoke and push up and down, if it rocks forward and back when the handbrake is your front arm control bush and/or ball joint may need sorting
This is only a possible, mine does still very occasionally pull left and right and feels sensitive to road condition but is a lot better now that I've changed the lot.
Only downside for you, if you do need to change them, your wheel alignment was pretty much for no reason.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff