Steering wheel vibration above 70mph

2011 e90 zcp with stock 359 wheels, Michelin pss tires.
The vibration is pretty minor, but detectable if paying attention. Seems to be most noticeable when it’s at constant speed going straight. No vibration when turning.
I suspect it has always been there, but I never noticed it, until I put on spacers, which magnify it really badly. I checked / fixed the wheels and tires (all four were slightly bent but now they are straightened and well within spec). Now these vibration is in my head now, even without spacers I can still feel and will look for those slight vibration...
It is certainly tolerable, it’s a very slight left/right shake of the steering wheels, if one is holding the wheel tight, probably won’t even notice. But just worry there is something wrong. What can be the possible source? Wheel bearings? Joints?
I think I can rule out the wheels and tires since it is just straightened and balanced. Not rotor warp because braking is smooth. Any ideas?

Go for road force balancing .

///M Power-Belgium wrote

Go for road force balancing .

The wheel guy did that already

How are the underbody felt pieces? If air catches them they can throw the car out of whack.

If the wheels were bent, that's the vibration you'll get. Also, if the tires are old, or not mounted at the right spots, it'll shake. You can keep throwing all kinds of money at it and try to fix it, but Your best bet would be to just get different set of rims.

I've had this issue before on my e46 M. Wheels were bent at one point and no matter what I did after, the steering wheel shimmied after 65mph. Once I got different set, moved my tires from the old wheels, all was good.

Good luck either way. It's a pain in the ass, for certain.

BOOF-M3 wrote

How are the underbody felt pieces? If air catches them they can throw the car out of whack.

Really the force can be that powerful to shake the steering wheels? I will check them when I have a chance... Thanks for the suggestion.

Boostin FD wrote

If the wheels were bent, that's the vibration you'll get. Also, if the tires are old, or not mounted at the right spots, it'll shake. You can keep throwing all kinds of money at it and try to fix it, but Your best bet would be to just get different set of rims.

I've had this issue before on my e46 M. Wheels were bent at one point and no matter what I did after, the steering wheel shimmied after 65mph. Once I got different set, moved my tires from the old wheels, all was good.

Good luck either way. It's a pain in the ass, for certain.

Yes the wheels were bent slightly, the guy who straightened them for me is a very reputable wheel guy around here, he showed me all the measures after he straightened it it was well within spec. He also road-force checked the tire to make sure they were mount at right spot, road-force measure was also well within spec, etc... So at this point I tend to think I can rule out the tires and wheels and is trying to see what other than wheels and tires can potentially cause that...

byroncheung wrote

BOOF-M3 wrote

How are the underbody felt pieces? If air catches them they can throw the car out of whack.

Really the force can be that powerful to shake the steering wheels? I will check them when I have a chance... Thanks for the suggestion.

Never happened to me but I have read the rare instance where it has happened. And let's not forget people, if you are in need of a new underbody set deansbimmer has them.

This is the order in which I would inspect and or replace. Cause I was in a similar boat.

Wheel Balance, Road Force Balance, Brake Rotors (inspect/resurface), tie rods (inspect/replace), control arms(inspect/replace), wheel bearings(inspect/replace).

Sandye90m3 wrote

This is the order in which I would inspect and or replace. Cause I was in a similar boat.

Wheel Balance, Road Force Balance, Brake Rotors (inspect/resurface), tie rods (inspect/replace), control arms(inspect/replace), wheel bearings(inspect/replace).

Thanks. So I have done these basically:

Wheel Balance - check
Road Force Balance - check
Brake Rotors - just changed them few months ago so should be good

So at the end what was it for you? Wheel bearings?

Check your alignment. It is rare but they can cause vibration if alignment is out.

How’s the tire wear? Try switching the tires side to side and see if that change anything.

Try switching the tires side to side. Do the front wheels first and drive it to see if that changes anything and then switch the back around. If you’re feeling vibration (left/right steering shake) then chances are it has nothing to do with the back wheels. While swapping the wheels around take a look at the brake discs. If that fix the vibration then something is wrong with your tires. If it doesn’t then check the wheel alignment. Have the shop check for worn steering/suspension components while they have your car on the alignment rack.

Recently I had vibrations at highway as well. Ended getting my wheels balanced twice by two different shops and an alignment done to get rid of it.

People often overlook the tires. Check for cupping or a saw tooth wear pattern on the camber side. Tires with this condition will often still pass a Road Force balance sequence which checks the main contact patch but you'll feel it on the road when the inside of the tire sees more pressure against the road.

Our cars seem to be really finicky in this department.

I'm currently trying to remedy a 80 mph steering wheel vibration and have encountered them previously.

The first time, there was a defect in the brand new MPSS tire I had road force balanced. The Hunter balancer did not pick this up, nor did the 3 technicians trying to resolve it.

Currently, I rotated my fronts to back which created the wheel vibration. A high speed on-car balance has seemed to help, but is still giving some feedback. Will be going back to the tire shop for them to take another look...

Steering Wheel Vibration FAQ https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=695222

This is a great thread to help you eliminate the wheel vibration.

vincE92M3 wrote

Steering Wheel Vibration FAQ https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=695222

This is a great thread to help you eliminate the wheel vibration.

thank you, great info on that thread.
i'm thinking maybe i'll try put on my winter tires / wheels just to be 100% it is not due to the tires / wheels. but with 18" wheels, if the problem is coming from part of suspension / wheel bearing, the extra tire thickness might hide it?

What was the road force numbers?

I had a similar issue at over 80 mph after putting on new tires. There is a big sticky thread in one of the subforums on this issue. Wasn't helpful in my case but it turned out to be balancing issue. Took it to the dealer after the tire shop couldn’t fix it and the dealership got it right.

It happened again the next time I changed tires and interestingly enough, it resolved after I got the alignment done. Had nothing to do with balancing this time around.

So, I’d suggest getting alignment done before going for more complex stuff.

derbo wrote

What was the road force numbers?

4, 14 for the fronts
11, 17 for the backs

Great thread.