Slight Steering Wobble
Discussion
Hi all,
over the last couple of days I have noticed a slight vibration through the steering wheel which seems to start at around 65 (on the motor way!). Also if I lift my hands off the steering wheel at slower speeds the car noticeably pulls to the left, not sharply but it is noticeable.
There is no vibration at all through the brakes at any speed.
Does this sound to you like a wheel balance/tracking issue, which is what I think it is.
The car was in with BMW who pronounced it fixed, but as I drove it home it felt the same. It goes without saying that an interesting exchange of views took place with the service department. They have asked for the car back again, but I am not convinced they know anything!
BTW the car is an e92 M3 with 20,000 miles and newish tyres.
S
over the last couple of days I have noticed a slight vibration through the steering wheel which seems to start at around 65 (on the motor way!). Also if I lift my hands off the steering wheel at slower speeds the car noticeably pulls to the left, not sharply but it is noticeable.
There is no vibration at all through the brakes at any speed.
Does this sound to you like a wheel balance/tracking issue, which is what I think it is.
The car was in with BMW who pronounced it fixed, but as I drove it home it felt the same. It goes without saying that an interesting exchange of views took place with the service department. They have asked for the car back again, but I am not convinced they know anything!
BTW the car is an e92 M3 with 20,000 miles and newish tyres.
S
The wobble definitely sounds like balancing, and cars with big wheels can be quite sensitive for this.
You need to choose who balances your wheels carefully - even my BMW dealer couldn't balance the wheels on my other halfs M135i properly, yet a decent local independent had no issues. I've never had a good experience at the likes of Kwik Fit - machines seem out of calibration and results vary wildly between sites.
The pulling sensation if very light is probably just road camber (every car pulls slightly to the left unless on the crown of the road) but may be worth getting a decent alignment. Try driving your car in the middle of the road where camber has less of an influence and see if it still pulls.
You need to choose who balances your wheels carefully - even my BMW dealer couldn't balance the wheels on my other halfs M135i properly, yet a decent local independent had no issues. I've never had a good experience at the likes of Kwik Fit - machines seem out of calibration and results vary wildly between sites.
The pulling sensation if very light is probably just road camber (every car pulls slightly to the left unless on the crown of the road) but may be worth getting a decent alignment. Try driving your car in the middle of the road where camber has less of an influence and see if it still pulls.
Usual culprits:-
Tyre pressures checked?
Tyres fitted in matching pairs
Even tread L/R
I have heard of water vapour condensing in tyres and continuously throwing balance out (seems a bit far fetched though)
As said already, find a good independent and watch them doing the balancing.
If alignment is the culprit then I think it would show on the tread with at the very least finely scuffed treads.
What age is the vehicle?
Tyre pressures checked?
Tyres fitted in matching pairs
Even tread L/R
I have heard of water vapour condensing in tyres and continuously throwing balance out (seems a bit far fetched though)
As said already, find a good independent and watch them doing the balancing.
If alignment is the culprit then I think it would show on the tread with at the very least finely scuffed treads.
What age is the vehicle?
Cambell said:
I know is only 20K miles but I'd be looking at bushes (thrust arm) for signs of wear and insist on a 4 wheel alignment.
i thought the M3 had the harder bushings that were not fluid filled and generally thought to be a good thing. (i am considering upgrading to these arms on my 323)getting a good allignement and not just a toe and go type job is probably worth it. ask for a print out of before and after their work.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1921...
Thanks guys.
Update, going back to BMW again and this time the master technician who told me it was fixed is going to let me drive him around to show him....
As an aside, I spoke to my friendly local mechanic who does work on my classic car and he said it is most likely wheel balancing and, in his experience, the BMW guys don't know how to do this properly!
Will report back.
S
Update, going back to BMW again and this time the master technician who told me it was fixed is going to let me drive him around to show him....
As an aside, I spoke to my friendly local mechanic who does work on my classic car and he said it is most likely wheel balancing and, in his experience, the BMW guys don't know how to do this properly!
Will report back.
S
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