Steering wheel vibritions E36
Discussion
Had a great trackday at Cadwell Park in my 325i yesterday, first time I got to use the slicks in anger. Car performerd great all day but on the drive home there was a big vibration coming through the steering wheel at anything from 55-70mph. I pulled over to check the torque on the wheel nuts and they were fine, can't be a buckled rim either as they were fine on the way there and didn't clout any curbs or potholes in the memantime.
I'm thinking the old (maybe still original) rear trailing arm bushes have finally given up. Is there anything else to look at aswell?
I'm thinking the old (maybe still original) rear trailing arm bushes have finally given up. Is there anything else to look at aswell?
teabagger said:
Is the vibration from the front or back of the car?
Have you tried swopping the front and rear wheels around just to confirm its not wheel related?
I reckon you broke it Kev Have you tried swopping the front and rear wheels around just to confirm its not wheel related?
It's coming through the steering column quite violently, can't say I feel anything coming from the back but when I had the same problem with an E34 people reckoned it was the trailing arm bushes.
I haven't had chance to get under it and have a proper look yet but will try swapping wheels around to see if it makes a difference.
Edited by sniff diesel on Thursday 10th September 19:11
sniff diesel said:
teabagger said:
Is the vibration from the front or back of the car?
Have you tried swopping the front and rear wheels around just to confirm its not wheel related?
I reckon you broke it Kev Have you tried swopping the front and rear wheels around just to confirm its not wheel related?
Edited by sniff diesel on Thursday 10th September 19:11
It sounds like you are going to have to check all the obvious- track rod ends, steering rack play, wheel bearings, bushes, wishbone ball joints..
Good luck, and keep us informed.
I never noticed any pulling to one side, but a massive shake came on, which made me think i had a flat.
I even pulled up an the hard shoulder on the M5 to check, everything fine, i carried on and it was OK again...
Since you say steering wheel, that suggests it's on the front, so you have balljoints, rear wishbone bush, topmount for the suspension, the wheelbearing although it doesn't sound too likely, brake related, or the wheel being unbalanced or buckled.
I even pulled up an the hard shoulder on the M5 to check, everything fine, i carried on and it was OK again...
Since you say steering wheel, that suggests it's on the front, so you have balljoints, rear wishbone bush, topmount for the suspension, the wheelbearing although it doesn't sound too likely, brake related, or the wheel being unbalanced or buckled.
Take a look at the poly bushes, i have a heard of some of them coming adrift, the centre section creeping out or something.
Not sure how it works, but i do remember some unhappy customers.
The baljoints make them vague rather than shaky, so that looks like something from the hub onwards, flat spotted tyre maybe if your ABS is off.
Not sure how it works, but i do remember some unhappy customers.
The baljoints make them vague rather than shaky, so that looks like something from the hub onwards, flat spotted tyre maybe if your ABS is off.
jz325i said:
sniff diesel said:
All the rear bushes and front wishbones and balljoints are of undetermined age (the car has done 143k)
Mate, go and check them. You'll be done in less than 20mins. If your car was outside my home, I'd check them for you right now.
I just wanted a list of things to check on Saturday when I get a day off.
Thanks for everyone's help BTW.
jz325i said:
sniff diesel said:
I just wanted a list of things to check on Saturday when I get a day off.
Let us know how you got on.Got to the bottom of this today, after swapping the wheels around from front to back it made things better, so I got the wheels balanced and it's made things perfect again. Weird thing is no weights had fallen off as the original weights were still there and there were no sticky marks left from where one could have fallen off.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
sniff diesel said:
Got to the bottom of this today, after swapping the wheels around from front to back it made things better, so I got the wheels balanced and it's made things perfect again. Weird thing is no weights had fallen off as the original weights were still there and there were no sticky marks left from where one could have fallen off.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
We will keep you right Richard Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
teabagger said:
We will keep you right Richard
Pah, I was convinced the slicks had caused something to break as the road wheels were fine on the way there then started vibrating on the way back.Going to get the M3 engine and running gear in it after the next 2 trackdays in November, should have the go to match the grip then
sniff diesel said:
teabagger said:
We will keep you right Richard
Pah, I was convinced the slicks had caused something to break as the road wheels were fine on the way there then started vibrating on the way back.Going to get the M3 engine and running gear in it after the next 2 trackdays in November, should have the go to match the grip then
Do you intend to swop all the suspenion along with engine, g/box and diff?
You may need to reinforce the diff mount (I think this is the only difference on an M3 chassis)
teabagger said:
Good stuff. It will be a quick bit of kit!
Do you intend to swop all the suspenion along with engine, g/box and diff?
You may need to reinforce the diff mount (I think this is the only difference on an M3 chassis)
Hope so. Will be swapping the whole running gear: engine, box, diff, hubs, brakes, exhaust etc. Do you intend to swop all the suspenion along with engine, g/box and diff?
You may need to reinforce the diff mount (I think this is the only difference on an M3 chassis)
There's about 4 chassis reinforcement plates to weld on but you can buy these from the dealers.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff