Steering Wheel Vibration after Spacers

adamkb26 · 05-26-2020, 05:05 PM

Installed Macht Schnell spacers with my stock 220m wheels. 15 front and 12 rear. I've had a steering wheel vibration over 70mph ever since. I read it could be tires out of balance which I just had done and it didn't help. Should I get an alignment or is there's something else I can do?

BayE30 · 05-26-2020, 05:11 PM

there are literally dozens of threads on this topic.

road force balance the wheels and have them printout or document the amount of run-out on each wheel.

Control arms, strut mounts, struts, hub mounting surface, wheel mounting surface, tie rods, sway bar endlinks, etc etc etc YMMV.

wyatth · 05-26-2020, 05:17 PM

^ What he said. Also double check the mating surface is cleaned (wire brush or steel wool type drill bit is good) and everything is torqued properly.

roastbeef · 05-26-2020, 08:08 PM

they had a bad batch of spacers that caused vibration. spacers also magnify imbalance or imperfections in the wheel/tire. take the spacers off and if you 100% have zero vibration, the issue is likely the spacers.

MisterClutch888 · 05-27-2020, 05:49 PM

probably warped spacers, sitting not flush with the hub.

SAMM3Y · 05-27-2020, 06:28 PM

Just say no to front wheel spacers

tom @ eas · 05-27-2020, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamkb26

Installed Macht Schnell spacers with my stock 220m wheels. 15 front and 12 rear. I've had a steering wheel vibration over 70mph ever since. I read it could be tires out of balance which I just had done and it didn't help. Should I get an alignment or is there's something else I can do?

Most times, it's a step missed in installation.

Remove the wheel and make sure the rotor hub surface and wheel hub are absolutely clean before reinstalling, torquing in a star pattern to 88ft-lbs. If vibration is still present, have the wheels roadforce balanced to be 100% sure, as spacers will only exaggerate a pre-existing issue.

adamkb26 · 05-27-2020, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamkb26

Installed Macht Schnell spacers with my stock 220m wheels. 15 front and 12 rear. I've had a steering wheel vibration over 70mph ever since. I read it could be tires out of balance which I just had done and it didn't help. Should I get an alignment or is there's something else I can do?

Most times, it's a step missed in installation.

Remove the wheel and make sure the rotor hub surface and wheel hub are absolutely clean before reinstalling, torquing in a star pattern to 88ft-lbs. If vibration is still present, have the wheels roadforce balanced to be 100% sure, as spacers will only exaggerate a pre-existing issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamkb26

Installed Macht Schnell spacers with my stock 220m wheels. 15 front and 12 rear. I've had a steering wheel vibration over 70mph ever since. I read it could be tires out of balance which I just had done and it didn't help. Should I get an alignment or is there's something else I can do?

Most times, it's a step missed in installation.

Remove the wheel and make sure the rotor hub surface and wheel hub are absolutely clean before reinstalling, torquing in a star pattern to 88ft-lbs. If vibration is still present, have the wheels roadforce balanced to be 100% sure, as spacers will only exaggerate a pre-existing issue.

Had a shop re-install them to make sure it was done right.

tom @ eas · 05-27-2020, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamkb26

Had a shop re-install them to make sure it was done right.

Having wheels roadforce balanced is next. Make sure equipment is up to spec, a number of shops lack basic maintenance on equipment at times.

05-26-2020, 05:05 PM	#1
adamkb26 Private 171 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2017 Audi TTS & 2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	Steering Wheel Vibration after Spacers Installed Macht Schnell spacers with my stock 220m wheels. 15 front and 12 rear. I've had a steering wheel vibration over 70mph ever since. I read it could be tires out of balance which I just had done and it didn't help. Should I get an alignment or is there's something else I can do?
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05-26-2020, 05:11 PM	#2
BayE30 Lieutenant Colonel 1343 Rep 1,881 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	there are literally dozens of threads on this topic. road force balance the wheels and have them printout or document the amount of run-out on each wheel. Control arms, strut mounts, struts, hub mounting surface, wheel mounting surface, tie rods, sway bar endlinks, etc etc etc YMMV. __________________ I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/ Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V]
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05-26-2020, 05:17 PM	#3
wyatth Colonel 3552 Rep 2,824 Posts Drives: E90 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	^ What he said. Also double check the mating surface is cleaned (wire brush or steel wool type drill bit is good) and everything is torqued properly.
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05-26-2020, 08:08 PM	#4
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11592 Rep 12,736 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	they had a bad batch of spacers that caused vibration. spacers also magnify imbalance or imperfections in the wheel/tire. take the spacers off and if you 100% have zero vibration, the issue is likely the spacers. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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05-27-2020, 05:49 PM	#5
MisterClutch888 Lieutenant 552 Rep 580 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT ZCP Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: 604 \| 852 iTrader: (8)	probably warped spacers, sitting not flush with the hub. __________________ Current - 2011 E90 M3, Jet Black, 6MT ZCP. Recaro/Bilstein/BBS/StopTech/Haimus/Turner/Pinnacle/BE/Auto Solutions/Macht Schnell/GC/Whiteline/Slon/Alpine Sold - 2008 E92 M3, AW x FR, 6MT. CF roof is oh-so-Sexy! IG @misterclutch888 Slow Build
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05-27-2020, 06:28 PM	#6
SAMM3Y Colonel 3087 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Just say no to front wheel spacers __________________ 9ers
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