High Speed Steering Wheel Vibration
- Thread starter BlackOut
- Start date
I have checked the front brake calipers.
Although there was no sign of caliper sticking, I decided to run them a few times throughout the full stroke, and clean the mounting mechanism. No change.
I also think that it may be something wrong with the suspension, but considering that I have already replaced the control arms, control arms bushings and steering tie rods, I can only suspect the shock absorbers - since it's unlikely that the springs may have something to do with the steering wobble.
Please keep me updated with any feedback on this subject - even when you test something without any positive effects.
Although there was no sign of caliper sticking, I decided to run them a few times throughout the full stroke, and clean the mounting mechanism. No change.
I also think that it may be something wrong with the suspension, but considering that I have already replaced the control arms, control arms bushings and steering tie rods, I can only suspect the shock absorbers - since it's unlikely that the springs may have something to do with the steering wobble.
Please keep me updated with any feedback on this subject - even when you test something without any positive effects.
Going through the list of everything you have changed i'm thinking that it could be the driveshaft
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E86/Coupe/Europe/Z4_M3.2-S54/LHD/N/2006/october/browse/drive_shaft/drive_shaft_cen_bearing_const_vel_joint/
Do you get any other vibration at speed from the dashboard or the rear view mirror?
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E86/Coupe/Europe/Z4_M3.2-S54/LHD/N/2006/october/browse/drive_shaft/drive_shaft_cen_bearing_const_vel_joint/
Do you get any other vibration at speed from the dashboard or the rear view mirror?
gnx said:
Just a thought here. If you're using different wheels to the OEM 224s, are you using spacers to make the wheels fit, and if so, are you using "hubcentric" spacers at that? Some years ago, I fitted some expensive BBS wheels onto another car and the wheels were the correct offset etc. and I also experienced this similar problem. After much investigation, the problem was solved by fitting spigot rings to centres of the rear wheels.
Just to make sure that we are all talking about the same problem, have a look at the picture below:
When speaking about steering wheel vibrations, I define three types:
(A) wobble, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency clockwise / anti-clockwise rotation of the steering wheel - red color in the picture above;
(B) horizontal shaking, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency translation (motion) on the horizontal axis - green color in the picture above;
(C) vertical shaking, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency translation (motion) on the vertical axis - blue color in the picture above.
Of course, it can be that two types of vibration occur at the same time (e.g. A and C), but that's quite rare, and even then one of them is predominant.
The problem I am reporting consists only of steering wheel wobble (A) at speeds in the range of 70-95 mph. There's no horizontal shaking (B), nor vertical shaking (C).
Now, please re-confirm what kind of vibrations you have and at what speed range.
When speaking about steering wheel vibrations, I define three types:
(A) wobble, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency clockwise / anti-clockwise rotation of the steering wheel - red color in the picture above;
(B) horizontal shaking, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency translation (motion) on the horizontal axis - green color in the picture above;
(C) vertical shaking, which is a short-amplitude high-frequency translation (motion) on the vertical axis - blue color in the picture above.
Of course, it can be that two types of vibration occur at the same time (e.g. A and C), but that's quite rare, and even then one of them is predominant.
The problem I am reporting consists only of steering wheel wobble (A) at speeds in the range of 70-95 mph. There's no horizontal shaking (B), nor vertical shaking (C).
Now, please re-confirm what kind of vibrations you have and at what speed range.
its normal to get some vibration but wobbling as both OP suggest is odd. I'vz
Mr.Shanahan
Member
Workshop manual says steering wheel shimmy is tie rod ball joint. But you said you have done all that.
Might be bent / warped drive shaft.
Might be bent / warped drive shaft.
Wheel balance as already mentioned!
Mine had a warped disc (Brand new) manufacturing quality! This was sticking to the caliper which caused a wobble at speed.. Also worth checking are the rims properly when the tyres are off. Stuff like over spray from refurbishment can affect the balance.
Also had wheel oscillation -
@RobertRO
Got my steering wheel oscillation sorted in the end. Thanks a bunch for your help. Ended up being extra paint from when they were refurbished!
Mine had a warped disc (Brand new) manufacturing quality! This was sticking to the caliper which caused a wobble at speed.. Also worth checking are the rims properly when the tyres are off. Stuff like over spray from refurbishment can affect the balance.
Also had wheel oscillation -
@RobertRO
Got my steering wheel oscillation sorted in the end. Thanks a bunch for your help. Ended up being extra paint from when they were refurbished!
