Vibration/Steering

[SilverFive]

'87 325i Convertible

Hi All,
Question.....just recently had 4 new tires put on the car, yes I'm still pushing 14's, ....the brakes were done some time before that, but I rarely drive the car....it's been sitting most of the winter and spring.

Anyway, today I had to take it and as I'm driving, the steering wheel is shaking like a cold baby.....accelerate-same thing, slowing down-even worse. I watched the mechanic balance the tires and do the alignment. The rocker arms were replaced about 2 years ago, but again, I don't drive this car often. I remember the last mechanic I had said that rotors will sometimes pit if you leave the car sitting exposed to elements so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it.....braking is by far the worst, but even on the drive the steering wheel is constantly moving. Any suggestions

 

[jrt67ss350]

Was it doing this before you had the new tires put on? If so, chances are its the control arm bushings.

 

[epj3]

It's an unbalanced tire. If you're driving slow, like under 10 mph, can you watch the steering wheel rotate back and forth about half an inch? If so, unbalanced wheel!!!!! Sounds insane but my car did the same thing, in fact it did it at less than 5 mph!!! Spent $30 to have the wheels balanced and it went away.

Control arm bushings only make shimmies when you're at speed or under braking.

 

[arditarighi]

It is most likely the control arm bushings or the iner tire-rods - if your disks are not warped.
I would start with replacing the InerTireRods. You should be able to order the parts with a very reasonable price at: www.autohausaz.com/bmw-auto-parts/index.html

Good Luck,
/A

 

[epj3]

I'll put $10 on an unbalanced wheels! When he says he replaced the rocker arms, he means the control arms... I doubt a valve-actuating component would give him a wheel shimmy!

Control arms won't do anything at low speeds. I'm willing to bet his shimmy doesn't seem quite as bad while in a right or left turn.

 

[SilverFive]

Was it doing this before you had the new tires put on? If so, chances are its the control arm bushings.

Yes, it was.....the old tires were OLD...I mean ancient!, but I'll take a look and see.

 

[SilverFive]

I'll put $10 on an unbalanced wheels! When he says he replaced the rocker arms, he means the control arms... I doubt a valve-actuating component would give him a wheel shimmy!

Control arms won't do anything at low speeds. I'm willing to bet his shimmy doesn't seem quite as bad while in a right or left turn.

The wheels were balanced on Sunday, they're brand new....not saying that people don't make mistakes. I'll take it back and have them check it out, but I'll give the bushings a shot as well.

 

[epj3]

Well mine were balanced, too - but always shimmied, so I always assumed it was cab's. Got the wheels re-balanced, and it went away completely.