Death wobble while slowing down and braking

Peen · 11-14-2017, 02:06 AM

So I've had this vibration and wobble issue since I got the car. It usually only happen at high speed and if I just accelerated quickly. Usually just casually cruising up to 100 it doesn't wobble. It doesn't feel like it's coming through the steering wheel, the whole car vibrates.

I started by replacing all wheels, balanced, then I went all new MPSS tires and balanced again. Thought it was control arms because one was bad. Just went all new suspension and still does it. Have had 2 alignments.

Don't think it's brakes because if I accelerate hard and even just let off it shakes bad while not even braking. Although braking does make it worse. Tonight I was doing some 4th gear logs for custom MHD map and it was so bad it was shaking and even made a howling noise. Once I slowed to a stop and started cruising again normally everything went back to normal.

Wouldn't think it's a wheel bearing, or it would most likely always howl at this point.

One time it did it at normal cruising speeds coming down a steep 6% and 65mph decline. Only way I could get it to stop was to come to complete stop and take off again (which sucked coming down hill). Vibrations stopped after that.

Maybe tie rods are the culprit?

Transport3r · 11-14-2017, 06:09 AM

How many miles?

Damn I can't read. Brakes seem plausible if the rotors are significantly worn.

Peen · 11-14-2017, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transport3r

How many miles?

Damn I can't read. Brakes seem plausible if the rotors are significantly worn.

I got it at 63k, has almost 90k now. Brakes look and feel good. Brakes totally fine 95% of the time.

jumbosrule · 11-28-2017, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peen

I got it at 63k, has almost 90k now. Brakes look and feel good. Brakes totally fine 95% of the time.

Hubs/bearings can begin to fail much more gently than with a howl. One basic check is to get the wheels off the ground and then facing the wheel, wiggle it toward and away from you. ANY play at all indicates worn bearings. If it does not wiggle that does not mean it is ok - it may just mean it takes a higher load to see/feel.

Just to know, you could have rotor run-out measured on the car. This could show you larger than allowable numbers, indicating either hub or rotor.

agustincuenca · 11-28-2017, 07:17 PM

it could be a combination of engine mount and a or more wheel bearings going bad..

Tr1ppy · 11-29-2017, 07:03 AM

What about propshaft doughnuts? I've heard they can wear out rapidly

11-14-2017, 02:06 AM	#1
Peen Private First Class 43 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Death wobble while slowing down and braking So I've had this vibration and wobble issue since I got the car. It usually only happen at high speed and if I just accelerated quickly. Usually just casually cruising up to 100 it doesn't wobble. It doesn't feel like it's coming through the steering wheel, the whole car vibrates. I started by replacing all wheels, balanced, then I went all new MPSS tires and balanced again. Thought it was control arms because one was bad. Just went all new suspension and still does it. Have had 2 alignments. Don't think it's brakes because if I accelerate hard and even just let off it shakes bad while not even braking. Although braking does make it worse. Tonight I was doing some 4th gear logs for custom MHD map and it was so bad it was shaking and even made a howling noise. Once I slowed to a stop and started cruising again normally everything went back to normal. Wouldn't think it's a wheel bearing, or it would most likely always howl at this point. One time it did it at normal cruising speeds coming down a steep 6% and 65mph decline. Only way I could get it to stop was to come to complete stop and take off again (which sucked coming down hill). Vibrations stopped after that. Maybe tie rods are the culprit? __________________ 2011 335i / MHD E85 BEF / JB4 ISO / xHP Stage 3 TCU / VRSF Catless DP / Phoenix CP / YCW Coilovers's 6K-18K / M3 Control Arms / Enkei Raijin 18' Wheels / Michellin PSS Last edited by Peen; 11-14-2017 at 02:20 AM..
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11-14-2017, 06:09 AM	#2
Transport3r Major 86 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: 2011 N55 E90 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (4)	How many miles? Damn I can't read. Brakes seem plausible if the rotors are significantly worn. __________________ Josh-
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11-28-2017, 07:17 PM	#5
agustincuenca First Lieutenant 154 Rep 343 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i; 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: S Louis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	it could be a combination of engine mount and a or more wheel bearings going bad..
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11-29-2017, 07:03 AM	#6
Tr1ppy Second Lieutenant 38 Rep 276 Posts Drives: E93 330i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North West, UK iTrader: (0)	What about propshaft doughnuts? I've heard they can wear out rapidly
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