Steering Wheel Shaking

tturbolife · 03-02-2014, 12:14 AM

Hey guys,

Having trouble finding the cause of a steering wheel shake...

The main issue I'm having is that I can't find many common correlation. My tires have less than 5k miles, and have been road forced balanced multiple times. I have removed my front spacers and the problem still persists. It seems to mostly be around 40-45mph that the vibrations are present, but sometimes are at lower/higher speeds, or not present at all between 40-45mph

Also it seems to be worse when quickly accelerating after being stopped for awhile, but then after cruising for about a mile goes away...

Any ideas? I have no idea where to start at this point.

driverman · 03-02-2014, 07:36 AM

I chased a steering wheel vibration at certain speeds on an E class Mercedes many years ago. Had tires balanced, bought new tires, checked alignment, changed front struts, changed front rotors and more.

Turned out that adjusting the alignment to settings that weren't spec fixed it. Have you checked the alignment?

tturbolife · 03-02-2014, 11:02 AM

I haven't even thought about an alignment causing it... Now that I think about it I hit a dip in the road kind of hard, that could have knocked off my alignment as well.

dtea604 · 03-02-2014, 12:14 PM

Alignment is need prkb check your wheels if there bolted correctly . are you running spacers ? If so double check those to.

tturbolife · 03-02-2014, 01:01 PM

I made sure they are torqued correctly with my torque wrench and they are all good. I removed the front spacers and the problem is still there.

dsjr2006 · 03-02-2014, 05:14 PM

Mileage?

E90Mario · 03-02-2014, 05:53 PM

If you've done an alignment and balance.. Check your power steering pump and motor mounts, also stupid but also make sure your wheels are the correct hub size and don't need hub centric rings

03-02-2014, 07:52 PM

What kind of tires? Some "flat spot" after sitting for even just a few hours.

Also, what were your road force numbers?

tturbolife · 03-02-2014, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsjr2006

Mileage?

about 57k

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARIO K

If you've done an alignment and balance.. Check your power steering pump and motor mounts, also stupid but also make sure your wheels are the correct hub size and don't need hub centric rings

I haven't done an alignment yet but I will soon. I've had NBT do it before but I don't think I trust them at this point. And they are stock 189 18" wheels from the sport package.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

What kind of tires? Some "flat spot" after sitting for even just a few hours.

Also, what were your road force numbers?

Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport. And I'm not sure, I didn't think to ask.

dsjr2006 · 03-02-2014, 09:16 PM

Alignment check wouldn't be a bad idea anyways, but I would have the suspension bushings inspected for excessive play/wear and the wheels/tires checked by another shop.

tturbolife · 03-02-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsjr2006

Alignment check wouldn't be a bad idea anyways, but I would have the suspension bushings inspected for excessive play/wear and the wheels/tires checked by another shop.

i guess I'll have them checked by another Discount Tire (maybe one that isn't as busy, they always seem to be rushing). Maybe I can have the dealer check when I have an alignment.

tturbolife · 03-03-2014, 01:05 AM

Also, this might be completely unrelated... but it seems that during colder weather (50 and below) the steering wheel shake is almost, if not completely, absent.

Efini · 03-03-2014, 01:16 AM

get an alignment and balance your tires

tturbolife · 03-03-2014, 01:17 AM

Do you guys usually go to the dealer for this? Not sure if I can trust a private shop with this car.

ashmostro · 03-03-2014, 02:48 AM

Have your front suspension and tire rod rubber inspected for wear or damage while you're at it.

Riick · 03-03-2014, 08:34 AM

I had this problem once before. Had a tire with a split cord, didn't show up on a balancing machine because most don't spin fast enough.

VMRWheels · 03-03-2014, 01:34 PM

There are many reasons why you could experience vibration issues. Could be a bent wheel, bad tire, suspension or alignment related, etc.

tturbolife · 03-03-2014, 02:40 PM

I really hope I didn't bend another wheel... I need to just take it to an expert

dsjr2006 · 03-04-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturbolife

I really hope I didn't bend another wheel... I need to just take it to an expert

I would find a good tire shop. Discount tire can be hit or miss. The alignment and inspection I'd have done at an Indy shop unless you're under warranty.

tturbolife · 03-05-2014, 03:35 PM

I took off my front wheels and used a wire brush and PB blaster to clean off the contact areas with the wheel and it made a huge difference. I'm guessing there was too much rust or material on there causing it not to sit flush.

ashmostro · 03-05-2014, 03:58 PM

It's surprising how important that really is. I always do this. Smearing some anti seize helps delay the effect from coming back, by the way.

tturbolife · 03-05-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

It's surprising how important that really is. I always do this. Smearing some anti seize helps delay the effect from coming back, by the way.

Thanks for the tip, I'll do that when I put my front spacers back on.

03-02-2014, 12:14 AM	#1
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	Steering Wheel Shaking Hey guys, Having trouble finding the cause of a steering wheel shake... The main issue I'm having is that I can't find many common correlation. My tires have less than 5k miles, and have been road forced balanced multiple times. I have removed my front spacers and the problem still persists. It seems to mostly be around 40-45mph that the vibrations are present, but sometimes are at lower/higher speeds, or not present at all between 40-45mph Also it seems to be worse when quickly accelerating after being stopped for awhile, but then after cruising for about a mile goes away... Any ideas? I have no idea where to start at this point. __________________ M340i: Arctic White, 790M wheels, Cognac interior, Aluminum Tetragon trim - Totaled
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03-02-2014, 07:36 AM	#2
driverman Captain 38 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	I chased a steering wheel vibration at certain speeds on an E class Mercedes many years ago. Had tires balanced, bought new tires, checked alignment, changed front struts, changed front rotors and more. Turned out that adjusting the alignment to settings that weren't spec fixed it. Have you checked the alignment?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2014, 11:02 AM	#3
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	I haven't even thought about an alignment causing it... Now that I think about it I hit a dip in the road kind of hard, that could have knocked off my alignment as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2014, 12:14 PM	#4
dtea604 Lieutenant 28 Rep 544 Posts Drives: 06 E90 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Alignment is need prkb check your wheels if there bolted correctly . are you running spacers ? If so double check those to.
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03-02-2014, 01:01 PM	#5
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	I made sure they are torqued correctly with my torque wrench and they are all good. I removed the front spacers and the problem is still there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2014, 05:14 PM	#6
dsjr2006 Captain 157 Rep 848 Posts Drives: '01 E39 540iA, '09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Metro Detroit iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2001 BMW 540i [0.00]	Mileage? __________________ E90 M3 DCT LCI \| E90 LCI N54 M-Sport(retired) \| E90 Technical Docs download: http://j.mp/bmwe90docs *good read, very detailed.
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03-02-2014, 05:53 PM	#7
E90Mario Brigadier General 395 Rep 3,639 Posts Drives: ESS E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (10)	If you've done an alignment and balance.. Check your power steering pump and motor mounts, also stupid but also make sure your wheels are the correct hub size and don't need hub centric rings __________________
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03-02-2014, 07:52 PM	#8
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	What kind of tires? Some "flat spot" after sitting for even just a few hours. Also, what were your road force numbers?
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03-02-2014, 09:16 PM	#10
dsjr2006 Captain 157 Rep 848 Posts Drives: '01 E39 540iA, '09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Metro Detroit iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2001 BMW 540i [0.00]	Alignment check wouldn't be a bad idea anyways, but I would have the suspension bushings inspected for excessive play/wear and the wheels/tires checked by another shop. __________________ E90 M3 DCT LCI \| E90 LCI N54 M-Sport(retired) \| E90 Technical Docs download: http://j.mp/bmwe90docs *good read, very detailed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2014, 01:05 AM	#12
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	Also, this might be completely unrelated... but it seems that during colder weather (50 and below) the steering wheel shake is almost, if not completely, absent. __________________ M340i: Arctic White, 790M wheels, Cognac interior, Aluminum Tetragon trim - Totaled
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2014, 01:16 AM	#13
Efini Silent Service 100 Rep 976 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	get an alignment and balance your tires
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03-03-2014, 01:17 AM	#14
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	Do you guys usually go to the dealer for this? Not sure if I can trust a private shop with this car. __________________ M340i: Arctic White, 790M wheels, Cognac interior, Aluminum Tetragon trim - Totaled
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2014, 02:48 AM	#15
ashmostro Brigadier General 1253 Rep 4,087 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Have your front suspension and tire rod rubber inspected for wear or damage while you're at it.
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03-03-2014, 08:34 AM	#16
Riick Banned 136 Rep 818 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I had this problem once before. Had a tire with a split cord, didn't show up on a balancing machine because most don't spin fast enough.
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03-03-2014, 01:34 PM	#17
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	There are many reasons why you could experience vibration issues. Could be a bent wheel, bad tire, suspension or alignment related, etc. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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03-03-2014, 02:40 PM	#18
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	I really hope I didn't bend another wheel... I need to just take it to an expert
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2014, 03:35 PM	#20
tturbolife Major 236 Rep 1,037 Posts Drives: None Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	I took off my front wheels and used a wire brush and PB blaster to clean off the contact areas with the wheel and it made a huge difference. I'm guessing there was too much rust or material on there causing it not to sit flush. __________________ M340i: Arctic White, 790M wheels, Cognac interior, Aluminum Tetragon trim - Totaled
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2014, 03:58 PM	#21
ashmostro Brigadier General 1253 Rep 4,087 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	It's surprising how important that really is. I always do this. Smearing some anti seize helps delay the effect from coming back, by the way.
	Appreciate 0 Quote