Help diagnose steering wheel shake

F1FL · 02-19-2018, 11:37 AM

Hi all,

I've been dealing with steering wheel shake for quite some time now and it is extremely frustrating.

I am experiencing shake while driving and under braking. Mostly noticeable around 70+ mph. Almost always noticeable under braking. Especially if I am coming around a corner to a stop, it is more severe under braking. I am running 12.5mm Macht Schnell spacers all the way around on ZCP wheels.

I've had my wheels road force balanced twice.

I've had my car aligned twice, by two different shops.

My brakes are well within spec. I am running 380mm Brembos and the rotors are 33.477mm in the front and 27.700mm in the rear.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

DSilk · 02-19-2018, 12:11 PM

I had the same issue with my previous e46 M3. It turned out to be worn suspension bushings. Once replaced the symptoms completely disappeared. The bushings do wear out, and are relatively easy to replace. This would be the first place I would look now that you know that your wheels are aligned and balanced.

msan · 02-19-2018, 12:13 PM

May not be possible with brembos clearance but my first step would be to remove the spacers and drive it to check for vibrations

Saandiaago · 02-19-2018, 02:18 PM

Steering wheel vibration I have experienced has been from bad front lower control arms, another time brake pad deposits on the rotors and once due to feathering and cupping of my tires from track driving.

Tracyis300 · 02-19-2018, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSilk

I had the same issue with my previous e46 M3. It turned out to be worn suspension bushings. Once replaced the symptoms completely disappeared. The bushings do wear out, and are relatively easy to replace. This would be the first place I would look now that you know that your wheels are aligned and balanced.

This!
I had the very same symptoms with a Lexus i use to drive. I replaced the control arm bushings and the car drove like it was new.

atown88 · 02-19-2018, 03:51 PM

In my quest for wheel spacers I’ve come across a few threads that indicate the MS Spacers are typically the culprit. Maybe try without them?

HomoPirate · 02-21-2018, 07:48 AM

Try take off the wheel spacers and see how it goes.

I encountered similar issues when I had MS spacers on my ZCP wheels in all corners.

They might work fine in F80/F82 because of actual disconnection of electric steering.

But in our car, they are trash.

F1FL · 02-21-2018, 07:54 AM

I will be removing the spacers today and will report back! Hoping this is the cause. Makes the car look great, but I much prefer a better driving experience.

LostPanda · 02-21-2018, 08:19 AM

Not sure how your roads are, i had wheel wobble at 70+ due to bent wheels (potholes). Had it corrected, ran like new. Thats one possibility.

roastbeef · 02-21-2018, 08:55 AM

Lose the spacers.

Did you track the car? Pad deposits might also be a problem, even with a 380mm kit if you used street pads.

Shiza · 02-21-2018, 09:39 AM

I just had this same issue, front lower control arm bushing was toast. Jack up your car and see if there is any play in the front wheels.

ghostofsenna · 02-21-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donadio91

I just had this same issue, front lower control arm bushing was toast. Jack up your car and see if there is any play in the front wheels.

Do you guys mind sharing your mileage with resolutions to issues? Helps give a reference point to those reviewing and learning from the thread.

Shiza · 02-21-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

Do you guys mind sharing your mileage with resolutions to issues? Helps give a reference point to those reviewing and learning from the thread.

I ran into this issue around the 140k mile mark and I drove it this way for about 2k miles. I thought it was a wheel bearing at first because of the play in my front wheel. The new wheel bearing seemed to help a little but the issue was still there. After that I decided to get under the car and had someone else wiggle the front wheel, I could see the play in the lower control arm bushing where it met the wheel hub. I decided to replace the whole arm instead of just the bushing. Completely solved the issue. I will say that I believe that I left it untreated long enough for it to cause my wheel bearing to go bad. So I wouldn't sleep on it unless you want to replace both.

Saandiaago · 02-21-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

Quote:

Originally Posted by donadio91

I just had this same issue, front lower control arm bushing was toast. Jack up your car and see if there is any play in the front wheels.

Do you guys mind sharing your mileage with resolutions to issues? Helps give a reference point to those reviewing and learning from the thread.

My front lower control arms went out at around 35k miles. Probably related to track abuse. Have not had many "offs" but has occurred and could have been the culprit. I do avoid potholes on the street like the plague.

M3Dimi · 03-01-2018, 05:20 PM

I was having shaking using 5mm spacers I took them off and it's gone now.

osukf09 · 03-01-2018, 05:59 PM

I'm getting similar wheel shake around 70mph but nothing with braking. I'm also on zcp suspension/rims with front/rear spacers.

Getting a slightly bent front rim fixed next week and hoping this will resolve. Will report back!

Gary Meadows · 03-06-2018, 03:11 AM

I experienced same issue two weeks ago,so I tried to move wheel spacers.Then no shaking.
Buy my friend got a good deal from this site (www.hexautoparts.com) for a set of 4 pieces wheel spacers ,installed them,his car runs well,without any problem.
Not sure why.
Is that possible some wheel spacers are good but some not ?

dkracing · 03-08-2018, 09:03 PM

It is your spacers. Even when you check that take off and put back on it is the spacers.

I had the vibration at like 80mph+, I took the spacers off, used some scotch brite then put them back on, still vibrated. Then I did it again and it did not vibrate.

It is like they need to fit perfectly in a certain way and there will be no vibration.

msan · 03-11-2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1FL

I will be removing the spacers today and will report back! Hoping this is the cause. Makes the car look great, but I much prefer a better driving experience.

So what was it?

F1FL · 07-23-2018, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msan

So what was it?

I took off the front and rear spacers and am unfortunately still experiencing steering while vibration. Still on the hunt for the culprit..

BPe90M3 · 07-23-2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by msan

So what was it?

I took off the front and rear spacers and am unfortunately still experiencing steering while vibration. Still on the hunt for the culprit..

I would take the car to your trusted tire shop and watch each tire spin on the balancing machine. Even the slightest bend will give you a lot of feedback. Worth it to check before you spend money on suspension parts.

monterey · 07-24-2018, 02:58 PM

warped rotors?

02-19-2018, 11:37 AM	#1
F1FL Lieutenant 183 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Help diagnose steering wheel shake Hi all, I've been dealing with steering wheel shake for quite some time now and it is extremely frustrating. I am experiencing shake while driving and under braking. Mostly noticeable around 70+ mph. Almost always noticeable under braking. Especially if I am coming around a corner to a stop, it is more severe under braking. I am running 12.5mm Macht Schnell spacers all the way around on ZCP wheels. I've had my wheels road force balanced twice. I've had my car aligned twice, by two different shops. My brakes are well within spec. I am running 380mm Brembos and the rotors are 33.477mm in the front and 27.700mm in the rear. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated! __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| Active Autowerke-headers back \| Brembo 380mm f/r \| OSS Headlights \| Full Gloss Carbon Interior \| AW/FR \| IG: loganflack_e92
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02-19-2018, 12:11 PM	#2
DSilk Major 550 Rep 1,148 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Jaguar XJ [0.00] 2015 Jaguar XF [0.00] 2014 VW GTI [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00] 2007 VW Passat 2.0T [0.00]	I had the same issue with my previous e46 M3. It turned out to be worn suspension bushings. Once replaced the symptoms completely disappeared. The bushings do wear out, and are relatively easy to replace. This would be the first place I would look now that you know that your wheels are aligned and balanced.
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02-19-2018, 12:13 PM	#3
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	May not be possible with brembos clearance but my first step would be to remove the spacers and drive it to check for vibrations Last edited by msan; 02-19-2018 at 02:24 PM..
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02-19-2018, 02:18 PM	#4
Saandiaago First Lieutenant 93 Rep 356 Posts Drives: '13 E92 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Steering wheel vibration I have experienced has been from bad front lower control arms, another time brake pad deposits on the rotors and once due to feathering and cupping of my tires from track driving.
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02-19-2018, 03:51 PM	#6
atown88 Major 46 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Auburn iTrader: (0)	In my quest for wheel spacers I’ve come across a few threads that indicate the MS Spacers are typically the culprit. Maybe try without them?
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02-21-2018, 07:48 AM	#7
HomoPirate First Lieutenant 84 Rep 331 Posts Drives: Always BMW Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: San Diego iTrader: (3)	Try take off the wheel spacers and see how it goes. I encountered similar issues when I had MS spacers on my ZCP wheels in all corners. They might work fine in F80/F82 because of actual disconnection of electric steering. But in our car, they are trash. __________________ Past: E82 135i Crimson Red \| MPE \| MHD Stage1+ \| Dinan Camber Plate \| LCI Blackline \| Bavsound stage 1 \| KW Coilover V2 \| Past: E93 M3 Vert Alpine White \| Remus Sport Exhaust \| Past: F82 Yas Marina Blue Civic M4\| MPE V2 \| DP \| BM3 \| Apex FL-5 \| MP Part(s) \| Current: F87 M2 Competition Long Beach Blue \| Completely Stock \|
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02-21-2018, 07:54 AM	#8
F1FL Lieutenant 183 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	I will be removing the spacers today and will report back! Hoping this is the cause. Makes the car look great, but I much prefer a better driving experience. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| Active Autowerke-headers back \| Brembo 380mm f/r \| OSS Headlights \| Full Gloss Carbon Interior \| AW/FR \| IG: loganflack_e92
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02-21-2018, 08:19 AM	#9
LostPanda Second Lieutenant 276 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 13' E92 M3 , 02' E46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Not sure how your roads are, i had wheel wobble at 70+ due to bent wheels (potholes). Had it corrected, ran like new. Thats one possibility.
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02-21-2018, 08:55 AM	#10
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11585 Rep 12,725 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Lose the spacers. Did you track the car? Pad deposits might also be a problem, even with a 380mm kit if you used street pads. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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02-21-2018, 09:39 AM	#11
Shiza Captain 1195 Rep 994 Posts Drives: M3, X5, Ram 2500, Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: US iTrader: (1)	I just had this same issue, front lower control arm bushing was toast. Jack up your car and see if there is any play in the front wheels.
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03-01-2018, 05:20 PM	#15
M3Dimi Lieutenant 178 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 4.6L M3 6MT Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I was having shaking using 5mm spacers I took them off and it's gone now. __________________ 2008 E92 M3 6MT
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03-01-2018, 05:59 PM	#16
osukf09 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm getting similar wheel shake around 70mph but nothing with braking. I'm also on zcp suspension/rims with front/rear spacers. Getting a slightly bent front rim fixed next week and hoping this will resolve. Will report back!
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03-06-2018, 03:11 AM	#17
Gary Meadows Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW e90 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I experienced same issue two weeks ago,so I tried to move wheel spacers.Then no shaking. Buy my friend got a good deal from this site (www.hexautoparts.com) for a set of 4 pieces wheel spacers ,installed them,his car runs well,without any problem. Not sure why. Is that possible some wheel spacers are good but some not ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-08-2018, 09:03 PM	#18
dkracing Banned 207 Rep 442 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Over there iTrader: (1)	It is your spacers. Even when you check that take off and put back on it is the spacers. I had the vibration at like 80mph+, I took the spacers off, used some scotch brite then put them back on, still vibrated. Then I did it again and it did not vibrate. It is like they need to fit perfectly in a certain way and there will be no vibration.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2018, 02:58 PM	#22
monterey Major 339 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	warped rotors?
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