Steering wheel Vibrations

e92iy790 · 11-10-2012, 09:09 AM

Hey guys. I know this topic has been discussed many times but I been experiecing vibrations from 75 to about 85 mph for sometime now. I had the all the wheels checked to see if they were bend and they all turned out to be fine. I did an alighment and had the two front tires road forced balanced. The vibration isn't violent but you do feel it especially if you aren't holding the steering wheel tight. I am running on 12mm spacers in the front and 15mm spacers in the rear with rd sport springs. Tire sizes are 255 35 19 in front and 275 35 19 in the rear. I this point I'm starting to feel that this is normal to experience and I might just live with it. Any suggestions

Ghetto2315 · 11-10-2012, 09:22 AM

It has to be your spacers. I have a similar issue with my steering wheel vibrating slightly at those speeds. I can only attribute it to my spacers. I have 5mm spacers. My wheels have been checked and are 100% round and unbent and my tires only have 3K miles with no sidewall bubbles.

EDIT: Having my techs check out the car on Monday. Will let you know if something is up or it's normal.

DBH · 11-10-2012, 09:38 AM

Probably the spacers. Take them off and see if that helps.

M3SQRD · 11-10-2012, 09:45 AM

^This - remove the front spacers and see if the steering vibration goes away

MKE_M3 · 11-10-2012, 09:55 AM

My understanding is that to keep wheels hub centric, BMW's need at least 15mm spacers since the lip on the hub is 15mm. I've seen a lot of forum members running smaller (5mm seems extreme) Does anyone know if the M3 is special in this regard to not need it, or are people just pushing going with a non optimal solution?

tailgate1234 · 11-11-2012, 01:00 AM

I've had a steering wheel vibration in the same speed range since I bought my car new in 2008. I've tried everything and given up.

Radiation Joe · 11-11-2012, 06:35 PM

Some cars are more sensitive than others. It's your wheel balance. I have had a terrible time getting a shop to balance the tires well enough to eliminate the vibration around 80 mph. My last install of fronts took 7 (yes SEVEN) balances before they were ok. Shops tend to blame the spacers, but it's really the skill of the technician balancing your wheels.

ChiTownM · 11-11-2012, 07:52 PM

I am running 12mm spacers with 19in Neez wheels and it took the dealer multiple times to balance my tires to address vibration at the same speed you described. I agree with the other posters and I would rebalance the tires.

11-10-2012, 09:09 AM	#1
e92iy790 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2012 Bmw M3 Coupe ZCP Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: allendale, nj iTrader: (0)	Steering wheel Vibrations Hey guys. I know this topic has been discussed many times but I been experiecing vibrations from 75 to about 85 mph for sometime now. I had the all the wheels checked to see if they were bend and they all turned out to be fine. I did an alighment and had the two front tires road forced balanced. The vibration isn't violent but you do feel it especially if you aren't holding the steering wheel tight. I am running on 12mm spacers in the front and 15mm spacers in the rear with rd sport springs. Tire sizes are 255 35 19 in front and 275 35 19 in the rear. I this point I'm starting to feel that this is normal to experience and I might just live with it. Any suggestions
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11-10-2012, 09:22 AM	#2
Ghetto2315 Colonel 831 Rep 2,352 Posts Drives: 16' BMW i8 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: The REAL Jersey Shore iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW M3 E46 CON ... [9.50] 2016 BMW i8 [10.00] 2003 JEEP GRAND CHE ... [0.00] 2000 540i SPORT E39 [10.00] 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA ... [0.00]	It has to be your spacers. I have a similar issue with my steering wheel vibrating slightly at those speeds. I can only attribute it to my spacers. I have 5mm spacers. My wheels have been checked and are 100% round and unbent and my tires only have 3K miles with no sidewall bubbles. EDIT: Having my techs check out the car on Monday. Will let you know if something is up or it's normal. Last edited by Ghetto2315; 11-10-2012 at 09:34 AM..
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11-10-2012, 09:38 AM	#3
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Probably the spacers. Take them off and see if that helps.
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11-10-2012, 09:45 AM	#4
M3SQRD Major General 2145 Rep 5,528 Posts Drives: E92 M3,G20 330ix,F22 240iX,F82 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (11)	^This - remove the front spacers and see if the steering vibration goes away
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11-10-2012, 09:55 AM	#5
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	My understanding is that to keep wheels hub centric, BMW's need at least 15mm spacers since the lip on the hub is 15mm. I've seen a lot of forum members running smaller (5mm seems extreme) Does anyone know if the M3 is special in this regard to not need it, or are people just pushing going with a non optimal solution? __________________
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11-11-2012, 01:00 AM	#6
tailgate1234 Private First Class 15 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Silverstone II Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I've had a steering wheel vibration in the same speed range since I bought my car new in 2008. I've tried everything and given up.
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11-11-2012, 06:35 PM	#7
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Some cars are more sensitive than others. It's your wheel balance. I have had a terrible time getting a shop to balance the tires well enough to eliminate the vibration around 80 mph. My last install of fronts took 7 (yes SEVEN) balances before they were ok. Shops tend to blame the spacers, but it's really the skill of the technician balancing your wheels. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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11-11-2012, 07:52 PM	#8
ChiTownM Lieutenant Colonel 1056 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: M and i BMWs Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I am running 12mm spacers with 19in Neez wheels and it took the dealer multiple times to balance my tires to address vibration at the same speed you described. I agree with the other posters and I would rebalance the tires.
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