Steering wheel shake aound 80mph

tha_good_life · 03-02-2011, 11:07 PM

interesting because i'm kinda having the same issue with my stocks.

ManAndMachine · 03-03-2011, 12:21 AM

You guys need to find a shop that does Road Force Balancing.If regular balancing does not do the trick,this is the cure if the wheel is not bent.

Draper · 03-27-2011, 07:02 PM

Just wanted to follow-up on this.

Winter seems to be over (for the most part) here in Denver so I opted to throw the stock 19s back on (which almost certainly need balancing) but low and behold it drives as smooth as can be. no shimmy or shake at any speed.

Definitely seems to be a bent wheel at this point. I'll have to track down a wheel shop and see what they say.

Thanks guys for the help.

tailgate1234 · 03-27-2011, 08:58 PM

Tried alignment, balancing, new tires and new wheels. Nothing worked. I think it is a design defect because this is so co
Mon.

Radiation Joe · 03-28-2011, 06:08 AM

This is a common problem that has come up repeatedly in the past. These cars are extremely sensitive to imbalance/out-of-round at 80 mph. Even tire pressure can affect it. I've run across this several times with both of my e90s. You have to have the front wheels checked by a shop that REALLY knows what they are doing.

I never had the problem again in my 2009 after replacing the track rod bushings in the front end with Dinan monoballs. Kind of an expensive fix, but it also improves the ride slightly. Don't ask me why bearings ride better than fluid filled rubber, but they do.

Draper · 03-29-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

This is a common problem that has come up repeatedly in the past. These cars are extremely sensitive to imbalance/out-of-round at 80 mph. Even tire pressure can affect it. I've run across this several times with both of my e90s. You have to have the front wheels checked by a shop that REALLY knows what they are doing.

I never had the problem again in my 2009 after replacing the track rod bushings in the front end with Dinan monoballs. Kind of an expensive fix, but it also improves the ride slightly. Don't ask me why bearings ride better than fluid filled rubber, but they do.

Hmm good to know. I might look into that if it pops up again.

I'm still curious to find out if there is an issue with the straightness of one of the wheels though.

akh23456 · 03-29-2011, 05:21 PM

i know i had a issue with my winter setup with the shaking at random speeds on my driver side. Apparently i overheated the tires, during a spirited drive. When they balanced the wheel it was perfect but after a quick ride he noticed something wasn't right and narrowed it down to the tires. Could be a possibility i went to the dealership a few times before we narrow it down to this.

SenorFunkyPants · 03-30-2011, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzbm3

Just wanted to follow-up on this.

Winter seems to be over (for the most part) here in Denver so I opted to throw the stock 19s back on (which almost certainly need balancing) but low and behold it drives as smooth as can be. no shimmy or shake at any speed.

Definitely seems to be a bent wheel at this point. I'll have to track down a wheel shop and see what they say.

If you have too much rim run out then no amount of balancing is going to make it drive smoothly.

m3pete · 03-30-2011, 03:42 PM

I've got the same issue ever since the car was new (May 2008). I took it to the deaer and they rebalance the front wheels and the shimmy was still there. I replaced the tires at about 20K miles and still did the same thing. I just learned to live with it (now it has almost 30K). It never got worse or better; exactly the same at around 80mph and its more noticeable if you hold the steering wheel lightly. It happens sometimes and not others. If anyone actually figures it out, let me know!

SenorFunkyPants · 03-30-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3pete

If anyone actually figures it out, let me know!

Buy a spare OEM front wheel and swop it for each front wheel in turn...if that doesn't sort it them you have a front suspension issue.

disapr · 03-30-2011, 05:16 PM

I have the exact issue. I've taken it to the dealer twice to have the alignment and balance checked. I can tell you when I'm between 76 and 84 without looking at the gauges. Outside of that range it's perfect. I've also re-torqued my wheels and set the pressure to the exact spec in all tires.

Seven7 · 03-30-2011, 07:30 PM

i have my winter tires on and i drove on the highway going at times 200km/hr and it was still fine...really really smooth

shendrick · 03-30-2011, 08:43 PM

Assuming that you have not serious systemic issues with suspension or chassis, there are 4 potential ways you can get vibration.

1. Wheel balance. Not too hard to address. Do a road force balance (Hunter is your friend) and look for values less than 15-20 lbs per wheel.

2. Your wheel is out of round. The Hunter balancer can probably identify this for you. If not, you need to have a static test for roundness and runout.

3. Your tires were not molded properly. Rare but it does happen. Typically noticed when you mount up new tires on wheels known to be perfect.

4. When you mounted your wheels they were not hub centric. Very rare when using OEM wheels but more so when using after market wheels. Do you need centering rings?

03-02-2011, 11:07 PM	#23
tha_good_life Brigadier General 380 Rep 4,093 Posts Drives: 21 X6MC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (22) Garage List 2021 BMW X6MC [10.00] 2010 BMW M3 [8.68]	interesting because i'm kinda having the same issue with my stocks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2011, 12:21 AM	#24
ManAndMachine Lieutenant 25 Rep 596 Posts Drives: G80M3 BG KO, '17 Taco Pro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Valencia,Ca iTrader: (0)	You guys need to find a shop that does Road Force Balancing.If regular balancing does not do the trick,this is the cure if the wheel is not bent.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2011, 07:02 PM	#25
Draper Brigadier General 3493 Rep 3,994 Posts Drives: M4 Comp / Macan Turbo Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Denver iTrader: (38)	Just wanted to follow-up on this. Winter seems to be over (for the most part) here in Denver so I opted to throw the stock 19s back on (which almost certainly need balancing) but low and behold it drives as smooth as can be. no shimmy or shake at any speed. Definitely seems to be a bent wheel at this point. I'll have to track down a wheel shop and see what they say. Thanks guys for the help. __________________ Current: G82 M4 Comp xDrive // Frozen Deep Grey Current: 95B.1 Macan Turbo // Dark Blue Metallic
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2011, 08:58 PM	#26
tailgate1234 Private First Class 15 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Silverstone II Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	My 08 has had it since new Tried alignment, balancing, new tires and new wheels. Nothing worked. I think it is a design defect because this is so co Mon.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 06:08 AM	#27
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]	This is a common problem that has come up repeatedly in the past. These cars are extremely sensitive to imbalance/out-of-round at 80 mph. Even tire pressure can affect it. I've run across this several times with both of my e90s. You have to have the front wheels checked by a shop that REALLY knows what they are doing. I never had the problem again in my 2009 after replacing the track rod bushings in the front end with Dinan monoballs. Kind of an expensive fix, but it also improves the ride slightly. Don't ask me why bearings ride better than fluid filled rubber, but they do. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2011, 05:21 PM	#29
akh23456 All I do is Win... Eat Race Sleep 155 Rep 2,184 Posts Drives: 2018 Range 2011 M3 2019 600lt Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 McLaren 600 LT [0.00] 2011 e90 M3 [0.00] 2018 Range Rover Au ... [0.00]	i know i had a issue with my winter setup with the shaking at random speeds on my driver side. Apparently i overheated the tires, during a spirited drive. When they balanced the wheel it was perfect but after a quick ride he noticed something wasn't right and narrowed it down to the tires. Could be a possibility i went to the dealership a few times before we narrow it down to this. __________________ Rs7 : 10.4 133.50 with a 1.7 60ft Toyo R888 F10 M5: 11.308 131.96 with a 1.9 60ft Street Tires E90 M3: 11.2 126.7 with a 1.8 60ft Street Tires
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2011, 03:42 PM	#31
m3pete New Member 7 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	I've got the same issue ever since the car was new (May 2008). I took it to the deaer and they rebalance the front wheels and the shimmy was still there. I replaced the tires at about 20K miles and still did the same thing. I just learned to live with it (now it has almost 30K). It never got worse or better; exactly the same at around 80mph and its more noticeable if you hold the steering wheel lightly. It happens sometimes and not others. If anyone actually figures it out, let me know! __________________ 2011 F25 X3 35i, AW 2008 E90M3 AW, bone stock (Sold) 2002 M Coupe TS, GC S/A coil overs, PF05 pads, Toyo RA1 1998 M3/4 AW sold
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2011, 05:16 PM	#33
disapr drop a gear and... 83 Rep 967 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	I have the exact issue. I've taken it to the dealer twice to have the alignment and balance checked. I can tell you when I'm between 76 and 84 without looking at the gauges. Outside of that range it's perfect. I've also re-torqued my wheels and set the pressure to the exact spec in all tires. __________________ WTB - 2006/05 ZCP 6MT M3 w/ under 85k (Link to WTB)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2011, 07:30 PM	#34
Seven7 First Lieutenant 56 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (1)	i have my winter tires on and i drove on the highway going at times 200km/hr and it was still fine...really really smooth
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2011, 08:43 PM	#35
shendrick Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Assuming that you have not serious systemic issues with suspension or chassis, there are 4 potential ways you can get vibration. 1. Wheel balance. Not too hard to address. Do a road force balance (Hunter is your friend) and look for values less than 15-20 lbs per wheel. 2. Your wheel is out of round. The Hunter balancer can probably identify this for you. If not, you need to have a static test for roundness and runout. 3. Your tires were not molded properly. Rare but it does happen. Typically noticed when you mount up new tires on wheels known to be perfect. 4. When you mounted your wheels they were not hub centric. Very rare when using OEM wheels but more so when using after market wheels. Do you need centering rings? Last edited by shendrick; 03-30-2011 at 08:50 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote