Shimmy & Shake At 45-60mph 93 740i

[robob69]

I have a 1993 E32 740i that I have a vibration at speeds of 45-60 Mph, I have had the tire rotated and balanced twice and it is still there, any ideas? ghead

Thanks

Robert
Houston, Texas

[///Matt]

The steering bushings are trashed. This is a very common problem. BMW has lacked somewhat in their design which causes the steering bushings to wear/warp pretty badly. I would reccomend having them at least checked out. They really aren't too expensive to r&r. I've replaced 3 sets now on my fleet, and they had the same symptoms as yours. Good luck!

[robob69]

Thanks for the advise... I will look into it and I hope this helps..

Thank you again
Robert
Houston, Texas

[mrred7]

I have found the same problem in my '93 e32. I found that if you completely wash the inside of the rims with a pressure washer that it will fix the problem. Take off the rims and bring them to your local D.I.Y. car wash with a pressure washer, wash them thoroughly and then take them to a good tire place to get them balanced. You will also want to use steel wool where the rim sits on the brake rotor to remove any excessive rust that has caked on there over the years.

[Bear]

If none of the prior suggestions work I would look at the upper control arm (thrust) bushings, this is another problem with our cars, I had the symptom you have on my '88 750 and replacing the bushings (I replaced the control arms which have ball joints and bushings attached) solved the vibration issue.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Dude's this thread it from 2005.... And On the e32 a 55-65 Shimmy normally is Caused by the Thrust Bushings or the Control arm bushings Could be a whlle outta balance normally cleaning it doesn't help at all and Could actually make it worse if you hit the bushings with a pressure washer as it can tear the already damaged Rubber....

[marti5]

All explained here:

BMW E32 50MPH - 60MPH SHIMMY

[740chp1211]

Mine has the same problem right now, i need the lower control arm, balljoint assy. it may not be the same shimmy, you may need somthing as simple as your wheels balanced, jack up the fornt end, and move the wheel, back and forth, up and down to check for play. and let me know what you get.