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      07-15-2018, 02:33 PM   #1
Lovvi
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E91 LCI X-drive vibrations

Hello,

my English is not the best, but I'll try to explain my problem with my '09 330d Xdrive. When I bought the car, there was small feelable vibration in steering wheel over 60mph. It gets worse over 70mph. What causes the vibration? I balanced the wheels, one wheel was a bit warped, but not that much it will cause the vibration. I changed both front CV axles, didn't make any diffrence. The front drive shaft is without any play, even drove without the front driveshaft. Vibration is still there. What should I check next?

Regards.

Last edited by Lovvi; 07-15-2018 at 03:09 PM..
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      07-15-2018, 02:47 PM   #2
nsjames
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bushings.

suspension geometry changes will do weird things.
I would also look at the front driveshaft.
maybe even drop it and take it for a drive to see if there's changes.
and swap the tires front to rear for troubleshooting. Your bent wheel may be the culprit.
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      07-15-2018, 03:11 PM   #3
Lovvi
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The steering wheel holds about 3/4 inch to the right also if I drive on highway, if this makes the troubleshooting better.
I drove without the front driveshaft, the vibration was still there.

Last edited by Lovvi; 07-15-2018 at 03:20 PM..
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      07-16-2018, 07:27 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovvi View Post
Hello,

my English is not the best, but I'll try to explain my problem with my '09 330d Xdrive. When I bought the car, there was small feelable vibration in steering wheel over 60mph. It gets worse over 70mph. What causes the vibration? I balanced the wheels, one wheel was a bit warped, but not that much it will cause the vibration. I changed both front CV axles, didn't make any diffrence. The front drive shaft is without any play, even drove without the front driveshaft. Vibration is still there. What should I check next?

Regards.
whats your tire set up?
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      07-16-2018, 09:04 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovvi View Post
The steering wheel holds about 3/4 inch to the right also if I drive on highway, if this makes the troubleshooting better.
I drove without the front driveshaft, the vibration was still there.
You need a wheel alignment if that's the case. Do that first, and then take it from there...
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      07-16-2018, 09:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torrque View Post
You need a wheel alignment if that's the case. Do that first, and then take it from there...
x2.

there may even bee some bent things in there. hit any curbs?
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      07-16-2018, 11:03 AM   #7
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Bought the car like this. Going to make alignment tomorrow @ work.
Tires are 225/40 and 255/35, OEM Style 193 wheels 8J and 8,5J.
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      07-16-2018, 11:08 AM   #8
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steering rack ....known problem on x-drive
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      07-16-2018, 11:48 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovvi View Post
Bought the car like this. Going to make alignment tomorrow @ work.
Tires are 225/40 and 255/35, OEM Style 193 wheels 8J and 8,5J.
xdrive should be square setup...
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      07-16-2018, 11:49 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchi View Post
steering rack ....known problem on x-drive
no way no how will steering rack cause vibrations when driving....
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      07-16-2018, 12:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovvi View Post
Bought the car like this. Going to make alignment tomorrow @ work.
Tires are 225/40 and 255/35, OEM Style 193 wheels 8J and 8,5J.
Make sure you do a 4 wheel alignment. They need to start on the rear on the xdrive, as (believe it or not), the rear can dynamically affect the front geometry...
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      07-17-2018, 11:04 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchi View Post
steering rack ....known problem on x-drive
There is no play in steering rack and no leaks.
Haven't had time to do the alignment.
Going to do it tomorrow if I have free time and I will update.

Quote:
Originally Posted by torrque View Post
Make sure you do a 4 wheel alignment. They need to start on the rear on the xdrive, as (believe it or not), the rear can dynamically affect the front geometry...
Most of the time you need to start from the rear, because the alignment bench calculates the front camber etc from the rear wheels.
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      07-26-2018, 03:42 PM   #13
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I would check wheel balance. Vibration that increases with speed is a textbook wheel balance issue. I've also heard people say that since our BMWs run high caster, we're more likely to feel wheel imbalance. I'm not sure on the physics there, but whatever it is, I have noticed that BMWs are more sensitive to wheel balance, so maybe caster is the answer.
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      07-27-2018, 02:20 PM   #14
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This too ^^

I had to balance my front wheels twice to get rid of some annoying vibration felt around 65 Mph.. Had to go to a newer, more precise machine.
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      08-08-2018, 12:04 PM   #15
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I have rebalanced the wheels many times, even tryed Style 95 wheels, still the same vibration. Did wheel alignment, didn't make any difference.
By the way, when braking the steering wheel doesnt shake anymore, when I let off the brake then it starts shaking/vibrating again.
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      08-13-2018, 08:25 AM   #16
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that's odd, and really points to either an alignment issue, worn bushings or some sort of hub bearing issue.
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      08-17-2018, 09:11 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torrque View Post
xdrive should be square setup...
BMW shipped sport package 330xi and 335xi cars with a staggered setup from the factory. My 330xi has it - same setup as OP. The overall tire diameter needs to be within 1% (or something like that). If nothing else, to accommodate tire wear.

PS - where did you go to get your wheels balanced properly near Newton? With all the potholes, it seems impossible to keep them balanced anyway!
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      09-06-2018, 08:20 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drawz View Post
BMW shipped sport package 330xi and 335xi cars with a staggered setup from the factory. My 330xi has it - same setup as OP. The overall tire diameter needs to be within 1% (or something like that). If nothing else, to accommodate tire wear.

PS - where did you go to get your wheels balanced properly near Newton? With all the potholes, it seems impossible to keep them balanced anyway!
I go to Needham Shell on Needham street ... I like Joe and he's honest and true in his work. I do all my wheels/tires and stickers there.
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      09-25-2018, 09:22 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torrque View Post
I go to Needham Shell on Needham street ... I like Joe and he's honest and true in his work. I do all my wheels/tires and stickers there.
Thanks for the tip! I've seen him recommended on Facebook, but never by someone that seemed like an enthusiast. Will have to check him out.
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