Steering Wheel Vibration

[jballer123]

after having multiple e92 and e90 m3s, the only thing to help rid my vibrations at the speed was to replace the front tension arm bushing with new ones. This last time i used the new black powerflex bushings and it got rid of 80%, .

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by jballer123

after having multiple e92 and e90 m3s, the only thing to help rid my vibrations at the speed was to replace the front tension arm bushing with new ones. This last time i used the new black powerflex bushings and it got rid of 80%, .

I just replaced all the thrust arms with ECS' refresh kit they sell. Vibration is pretty much all but gone now. The only time I feel anything is still when changing lanes on the highway, but even now it happens very far and in between.

I still plan on replacing the strut mounts when I replace the shocks, and maybe tie rod ends I'd it's still there.

I also read in another thread some guy jacked up the car and flushed his power steering rack by dumping 2 containers through the system steering from lock to lock. He claims that solved his minimal shimmy, so I might do that soon.

[Ram3n]

Originally Posted by 954MM

For the past 3 months I've been getting a vibration/shimmy in my steering wheel. I've done just about everything and can't figure it out. First thought was wheel balance which would be an obvious cause but that checked out. I even got new tires and new rotors and that somewhat helped but not really. I had my control arms and tie rods looked at today while I got an alignment and they said they looked solid The only thing I need to do now is try removing my front spacers. Idk if removing all would help but I'd give it a shot as well. I had 20mm spacers before and I downsized to an 18mm yesterday. Didn't change much except the car doesnt feel like a bulldog anymore which I like.

Idk if anybody has had a similar situation but if you have an advice or a solution, please let me know before I end up driving this thing into a wall out of frustration.

Update 10/07/2019: No more vibration after replacing strut mount.

What happened to the strut mount that lead to the steering wheel vibration?

[Drifter2090]

Was the strut mount destroyed when you got it off?

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by jballer123

after having multiple e92 and e90 m3s, the only thing to help rid my vibrations at the speed was to replace the front tension arm bushing with new ones. This last time i used the new black powerflex bushings and it got rid of 80%, .

Same experience here. I still have some wobble with my 15mm spacers but I tried my friends wheels and the problem went away. I must have a tire or wheel that is just a bit unhappy. For now, I just run it without the front spacers and will revisit when I next need new front tires.

Cheers,

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Update: I swapped my 18's out with a friends 19's. No more vibration.

[jballer123]

very interesting, I tried different wheels on my other m3 and it seemed to make little to no difference, I am really thinking they all do it to some degree , it's just a matter of how much, or if you are picky enough to notice

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Originally Posted by jballer123

very interesting, I tried different wheels on my other m3 and it seemed to make little to no difference, I am really thinking they all do it to some degree , it's just a matter of how much, or if you are picky enough to notice

Yeah man idk exactly what it is. I have Indy500's on my 219's. My first set were fine up until they got bald. The new set were fine until 100 miles in. Then I got vibration. Road force balanced them 5x and it never went away. I replaced control arms, tension arms and a strut mount but that didnt resolve it. I swapped wheels and boom, no more steering wheel vibration. I just get some feedback through the cooper tires. But I will say my Indy500's felt very very stiff and rough. A friend has some on his 359's and says they ride rough too. So I doubt I'll ever go back to that tire. More than likely Hankook V12's. I'll spend the extra $100 if it means a peace of mind.

Surprisingly, these cooper tires arent terrible haha.

But if anybody wants my 18's they're for sale. I'll take $900. They have no bends. Slight curb rash.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1666055

[romero1990]

I am having some vibration issues and tying to find out the cause. My problem is big enough that even rear view mirror will vibrate periodically. Say on almost perfect pavement, the vibration will come once I hit certain speed range. Is your symptoms also like this?

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Originally Posted by romero1990

I am having some vibration issues and tying to find out the cause. My problem is big enough that even rear view mirror will vibrate periodically. Say on almost perfect pavement, the vibration will come once I hit certain speed range. Is your symptoms also like this?

It was like that yeah. The rear windshield would shake a bit.

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by 954MM

It was like that yeah. The rear windshield would shake a bit.

Exactly same problem. Sounds like I should find/borrow a set of wheel/tires to try out first. Did you swapped both front and rear or only front?

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Originally Posted by romero1990

Exactly same problem. Sounds like I should find/borrow a set of wheel/tires to try out first. Did you swapped both front and rear or only front?

Yeah give that shot! I swapped all 4 out.

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by 954MM

Yeah give that shot! I swapped all 4 out.

cool Thanks!

[pwrdbym]

I've been frustrated with the same issue after new wheels and tires. It's easy to point to the new shoes for the issue but I'm not sure it isn't something getting pronounced by the larger setup. I went to 255/35/19 Hankook V12s on a 19x9 up front from the stock 19s. The vibration was immediate at 75-80mph. Installing the OEM setup again on shit Nexan tires makes it smooth as glass. I've had the tires balanced multiple times and everything checked for round multiple times at different shops. All checks out.
I can install just one new wheel/tire on a side, drive and get some vibration on either one. Install both and the vibration is very pronounced. Given this finding I think it's something to do with the increased width, weight etc changing the dynamics on the front suspension/steering. I only have 50k miles but I've got no other explanation.

[Millie]

I had the same wheel vibrations on both my previous M3s. Funny enough out of all the different wheel/tire combos, none of my aftermarket wheels - Forgestar, AG shook. Only the stock 359 and 219s had vibrations with summer or winter tires.

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Originally Posted by Millie

I had the same wheel vibrations on both my previous M3s. Funny enough out of all the different wheel/tire combos, none of my aftermarket wheels - Forgestar, AG shook. Only the stock 359 and 219s had vibrations with summer or winter tires.

I just ordered a center support bearing. Could be another culprit. Need to do it anyways. I still get some vibration. The steering wheel doesnt shake but I get some feedback throughout the car. Especially through the seat. The car does thud around sometimes when I put it in gear. Im getting the infamous driveshaft baseball bat sound in R, 1st and 2nd. Will replace soon.

[kavo11]

I've been getting some vibration in the 65-80 range too. Just installed ECS brand spacers last month along with new tires. 15mm up front, 12mm back. Tires are continental dws06 high performance all season. 2013 e93 with only 36k miles. Can't remember if the vibration was there prior to spacers but I've only owned the car 3 months total