Vibrating unknown cause

[Faz]

Hi all
Any input greatly appreciated. About a month ago I noticed vibrating in the steering wheel from 60mph onwards, 2 weeks later I got a flat left rear and decided it was a good time to get some new wheels as well. There was no nail in the tyre but the inside was all shredded up I did drive on a bit to get home after the flat as have been advised this would be an expected appearance after this. I then got 4 new wheels and 2 new rear tyres on my e86 coupe about 2 weeks ago, and the vibrating all stopped, but today I noticed it return almost identical to before. After fitting the new wheels I got it tracked with a hunter machine and was advised everything is in order. Just wanted to see if anyone had any idea what it may be before I take it to the garage, thinking either before the balancing was out and by chance got a flat, and now the balancing has been knocked out again just after fitting the new ones although find this unlikely. Or whether it's a suspension or bearing issue. The bushes were changed within the last year

Thanks in advance

 

[mmm-five]

A balance weight may have come off.

 

[enuff_zed]

Tyre pressures all ok?

 

[z4pilot]

If your wheels have been off the car recently, have you checked the wheel nuts are all done up properly?

More info is good! Are the symptoms exactly the same - ie only above 60mph? Does it vibrate only in a straight line, when turning or what happens when you brake? does it stop, get worse etc?

 

[exdos]

Have you got spigot rings on the hubs with the new wheels?

 

[kis]

Maybe the wheel has a flat spot... i.e. buckled very slightly?

What size wheels do you have? Are they staggered? Swap front wheels onto the back? Or if you have access to a second set of wheels? This will help isolate whether it's a wheel or another issue.

 

[Faz]

Hi guys. The wheels are all the same size and brand new. I thought could be a balancing weight off but bit unusual that these symptoms occurred before changing all 4 wheels, stopped for 2 weeks then started occurring again. Bit confusing whether or not it's to do with the wheels themselves. It usually occurs when I reach 60 on the motorway and tends to disappear after 20 minutes, but during that time if I drop to around 40 it's still happening. Today started noticing a faint high pitched sound while going a lot slower from back right. Don't know if it's perhaps wheel bearing issue. Pressures are all fine. Taking it for a service this Saturday will ask them to look but really don't know what to expect

 

[kis]

Taking it for a service this Saturday will ask them to look but really don't know what to expect

Keep us posted!

 

[Warming]

Did the garage check your brakes? Just an idea. could it be a sticking brake caliper?

I had a similar vibration from 60 up, it would only occur on a particular section of my commute on dual-carriageway, especially when sub-5 degrees temperature. It would begin to vibrate without using the brakes, but then be exacerbated by pressing the brake pedal.

After a month or two of it occuring once or twice a week, I took it in to the garage. They found it had a sticking front caliper as I suspected which they cleaned and free'd up. They also re-balanced the front wheels which may have needed doing anyway, weights can fall off in our extreme weather and potholed roads.

 

[Faz]

Hi Guys

Sorry I forgot to reply, but Warming was correct it was the brake calliper seized. All sorted now, big relief

Faz