vibrations worse after meyle hd tension struts (control arms)

04-01-2013, 02:03 PM

It all depends on the tire. Most of the time, when they tried to force match my tires to bring the road force numbers down, the road force number actually got worse

For that reason, I had to exchange the tire(s) as I started realizing what the actual problem was (initially I just assumed that the shops I was taking the wheels/tires to didn't know how to balance them correctly). Continental did a good job taking care of me by allowing for the exchange of the tires in a somewhat hassle free manner, but other than that I will not be buying another Continental tire again. EVER. These DWSs have given me such a headache that they've lost me as a customer forever...the quality control on these things is utter cr@p. Not to mention the constant flat spotting, inconsistent uniformity, etc. What a nightmare...

Zengineer · 04-01-2013, 02:20 PM

That's frustrating to hear, it is such a highly rated tire (from a traction standpoint), I didn't think I'd have to worry about stuff like this. I think I will try ONE MORE shop to road force balance them, but damn I am getting really tired of spending money on this issue. I am quickly falling out of love with BMW also, even if it's not their direct fault.

04-01-2013, 02:30 PM

Dude, I was right there with you a couple months ago lol I lost all interest in driving my car because the vibration issues kept pissing me off. After I got it straightened out though (via lots of time and money), I'm still not as happy with the tires as I should be, but at least it's tolerable to drive again...

Either way, I'm secretly hoping that these things wear out sooner rather than later so I can get a new set of Michelins and be done with it lol

Zengineer · 04-01-2013, 02:45 PM

Well it does make me feel better knowing that someone else has had this same issue, if this fixes it, and you're ever in the OKC area, I'll buy you a beer!

kluski · 04-01-2013, 05:06 PM

Holy cow, what a great thread.

I had DWS tires put on about 30k miles ago. Before installing I had no alignment issues, after, I had a pull to the right. The indy shop rotated the tires left/right and front/back; all combinations, but still a pull to the right. I even took it to the dealership and they did the same, but the results did not change. I figured it could not be the tires and did not know anything about road force balancing. I did find it interesting that the pull right happened as instant as changing tires.

All four tires are getting thin on the outside edge now and one in particular is thinner on half (uneven around the circumference). I had a little more of a vibration early on, but it has dwindled down and either I don't notice it or it is gone.

They do wear great, I still have some 'S' left on the tread after 30k miles and figure they will last a while. I'll replace them sooner due to the outer edges wearing before the center wears. In case it matters, I put the tires on about 46k and I'm near 76k miles now.

Zengineer · 04-10-2013, 11:12 AM

I haven't yet taken it in for another balance, but I have noticed that the steering wheel "wobble" SEEMS to also occur under light braking from about 40mph+.

I plan to swap driver side wheel and tire from front to back, see if any changes occur, then do the same on passenger side. If I observe any change in vibration characteristics, I think that will narrow it down to a tire/wheel issue.

If not, I will probably look further into brakes and tie rods.

I'll keep updating here as I troubleshoot... or if I just buy a different car! hahHAHAhaha... (that's my maniacal frustrated laugh)

asus389 · 06-02-2013, 05:06 AM

I'm following this with interest. Did you ever solve this problem? I have a very similar issue with my e90. FWIW I have found that some brands of tires just balance better than others (all things being equal). I have had the least problems with Michelins.

vasillalov · 06-02-2013, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zengineer

Thats sad to hear since the rotors are new....

Probably you have uneven brake pad deposits on the rotors. Rebed the brake pads and the vibrations should disappear.

jjellyneck · 08-12-2013, 11:06 PM

Did you find the solution?

bhmax16 · 08-14-2013, 02:48 PM

Nobody has suggested this yet, but before diving heavily into the tires why not check your tension strut installment? A lot of members install these incorrectly by tightening the bolts without the front end loaded. You need to load the front end before snugging down the tension strut bolts or you'll tear the new bushings apart

AlanAZ · 10-16-2015, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asus389

FWIW I have found that some brands of tires just balance better than others (all things being equal). I have had the least problems with Michelins.

Same here. The last time, I had Michelin A/S 3 put on and match road force balanced. I watched as he got it down to 5 lbs on one wheel, and 3 lbs on the other. Impressive. The downside is they are a very stiff tire, and ride harsher than I would like.

ritzzzzzwik · 10-23-2015, 11:33 AM

OP as FCobra94 mentions its most likely your wheel and tires. I've had the same problem for a while, not while braking though. I cant figure why its so hard to find someone competent enough to balance/alignment properly?!
I've had all my wheels and tires replaced, and road force balanced atleast 4 times, before I got a set that was "tolerable". As I found out some tires are just hard to balance, especially if they are All Season. I see a lot of people on this board and others who complain about this problem, have All Seasons.

I would suggest finding a different set of summer wheels/tires, and a competent shop to do the mounting and balancing for you. In my case some alignment trickery also made a huge difference. I have the same vibration problem, at 70+, but its at a point you cant see it anymore. I hate my tires, but will keep them for the winter.

Some tires are just crap! Not sure what happens in the manufacturing process(Are you reading this GoodYear?!?!)

Unfortunately things that we love most about out car, are turned into a nightmare by some incompetent humans just out to make a profit.

MightyMouseTech · 10-23-2015, 11:48 AM

Sounds like it could be a bent hub. Need to measure the run out.

Although many tires will have a second or third harmonic that can cause vibrations around 80 and 120 km/hr respectively. The stiffer the suspension bushings, the more you will feel it. Not many shops know how to measure it, or have the equipment.

04-01-2013, 02:03 PM	#23
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	It all depends on the tire. Most of the time, when they tried to force match my tires to bring the road force numbers down, the road force number actually got worse For that reason, I had to exchange the tire(s) as I started realizing what the actual problem was (initially I just assumed that the shops I was taking the wheels/tires to didn't know how to balance them correctly). Continental did a good job taking care of me by allowing for the exchange of the tires in a somewhat hassle free manner, but other than that I will not be buying another Continental tire again. EVER. These DWSs have given me such a headache that they've lost me as a customer forever...the quality control on these things is utter cr@p. Not to mention the constant flat spotting, inconsistent uniformity, etc. What a nightmare...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2013, 02:20 PM	#24
Zengineer Private 20 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2024 G20 M340xi BGM Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	That's frustrating to hear, it is such a highly rated tire (from a traction standpoint), I didn't think I'd have to worry about stuff like this. I think I will try ONE MORE shop to road force balance them, but damn I am getting really tired of spending money on this issue. I am quickly falling out of love with BMW also, even if it's not their direct fault. __________________ 2009 Jet Black E90 328i \| Wheels: 17" Rial Salerno \| Tires: 225 45 Conti DWS \| DIY Blacked out Kidney Grilles \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2013, 02:30 PM	#25
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Dude, I was right there with you a couple months ago lol I lost all interest in driving my car because the vibration issues kept pissing me off. After I got it straightened out though (via lots of time and money), I'm still not as happy with the tires as I should be, but at least it's tolerable to drive again... Either way, I'm secretly hoping that these things wear out sooner rather than later so I can get a new set of Michelins and be done with it lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2013, 02:45 PM	#26
Zengineer Private 20 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2024 G20 M340xi BGM Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	Well it does make me feel better knowing that someone else has had this same issue, if this fixes it, and you're ever in the OKC area, I'll buy you a beer! __________________ 2009 Jet Black E90 328i \| Wheels: 17" Rial Salerno \| Tires: 225 45 Conti DWS \| DIY Blacked out Kidney Grilles \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2013, 05:06 PM	#27
kluski New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2006 330XI Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Holy cow, what a great thread. I had DWS tires put on about 30k miles ago. Before installing I had no alignment issues, after, I had a pull to the right. The indy shop rotated the tires left/right and front/back; all combinations, but still a pull to the right. I even took it to the dealership and they did the same, but the results did not change. I figured it could not be the tires and did not know anything about road force balancing. I did find it interesting that the pull right happened as instant as changing tires. All four tires are getting thin on the outside edge now and one in particular is thinner on half (uneven around the circumference). I had a little more of a vibration early on, but it has dwindled down and either I don't notice it or it is gone. They do wear great, I still have some 'S' left on the tread after 30k miles and figure they will last a while. I'll replace them sooner due to the outer edges wearing before the center wears. In case it matters, I put the tires on about 46k and I'm near 76k miles now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2013, 11:12 AM	#28
Zengineer Private 20 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2024 G20 M340xi BGM Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	I haven't yet taken it in for another balance, but I have noticed that the steering wheel "wobble" SEEMS to also occur under light braking from about 40mph+. I plan to swap driver side wheel and tire from front to back, see if any changes occur, then do the same on passenger side. If I observe any change in vibration characteristics, I think that will narrow it down to a tire/wheel issue. If not, I will probably look further into brakes and tie rods. I'll keep updating here as I troubleshoot... or if I just buy a different car! hahHAHAhaha... (that's my maniacal frustrated laugh) __________________ 2009 Jet Black E90 328i \| Wheels: 17" Rial Salerno \| Tires: 225 45 Conti DWS \| DIY Blacked out Kidney Grilles \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2013, 05:06 AM	#29
asus389 Captain 68 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	I'm following this with interest. Did you ever solve this problem? I have a very similar issue with my e90. FWIW I have found that some brands of tires just balance better than others (all things being equal). I have had the least problems with Michelins.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2013, 11:06 PM	#31
jjellyneck First Lieutenant 9 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2008 335i MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0)	Did you find the solution?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-14-2013, 02:48 PM	#32
bhmax16 Lieutenant 164 Rep 401 Posts Drives: '22 M4, '23 CX-50 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Nobody has suggested this yet, but before diving heavily into the tires why not check your tension strut installment? A lot of members install these incorrectly by tightening the bolts without the front end loaded. You need to load the front end before snugging down the tension strut bolts or you'll tear the new bushings apart
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2015, 11:33 AM	#34
ritzzzzzwik Captain 232 Rep 723 Posts Drives: SO M4 MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NOVA iTrader: (0)	OP as FCobra94 mentions its most likely your wheel and tires. I've had the same problem for a while, not while braking though. I cant figure why its so hard to find someone competent enough to balance/alignment properly?! I've had all my wheels and tires replaced, and road force balanced atleast 4 times, before I got a set that was "tolerable". As I found out some tires are just hard to balance, especially if they are All Season. I see a lot of people on this board and others who complain about this problem, have All Seasons. I would suggest finding a different set of summer wheels/tires, and a competent shop to do the mounting and balancing for you. In my case some alignment trickery also made a huge difference. I have the same vibration problem, at 70+, but its at a point you cant see it anymore. I hate my tires, but will keep them for the winter. Some tires are just crap! Not sure what happens in the manufacturing process(Are you reading this GoodYear?!?!) Unfortunately things that we love most about out car, are turned into a nightmare by some incompetent humans just out to make a profit.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-23-2015, 11:48 AM	#35
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Sounds like it could be a bent hub. Need to measure the run out. Although many tires will have a second or third harmonic that can cause vibrations around 80 and 120 km/hr respectively. The stiffer the suspension bushings, the more you will feel it. Not many shops know how to measure it, or have the equipment.
	Appreciate 0 Quote