'95 325iS front wheel shake, but... - BMW Forum

utahprez · 09-18-2005, 08:39 PM

...only at one point and only above 50 mph. I can turn my car about 2-3 degrees to the left (as in a long sweeping curve) and I get vibration. Nothing to the right. If I go past that point tpo the left, it goes away. It only does it in the slight turn. I've had it up to 120 mph with no vibration on the straightaway. New tires, new lower control arm bushings, have not changed the rotors or ball joints. Any ideas?

milkeyisback · 09-19-2005, 05:59 AM

i got the same problem! and in the same car!!!

stracer · 09-19-2005, 09:55 AM

Mine does that too. I am currently as I am posting getting my control arms replaced. I was told it was cause by me having too much play in the joint which means the joint is bad. I recommend getting the melye full metal ball joints from www.bavauto.com
they are way cheaper than stock and will last alot longer. Only thing is you will feel more of the road.

utahprez · 09-19-2005, 10:35 AM

Thanks. That's where I was going next. I just didn't want to start throwing parts at it without asking. Plus installing the lower control arm busings is true, unadulterated fun! Good DIY instructions and pics over at http://www.bimmerdiy.com/.

I bought this car back in March of this year with 88K miles on it. My first BMW but based on its performance, it won't be the last. 30.6 mpg, even with the way that I drive it. If anybody knows of a good source for leather seat covers, that is going to be my winter project. I live in Park City, Utah and the snow will start in about 6 weeks - I will have to painfully switch back to my Jeep for the winter!

SpooldUp · 09-19-2005, 01:46 PM

Because you say it is vibrating when only turning one direction, I would suspect wheel bearings. Always replace them in pairs, and start at the front.

e36surge · 09-19-2005, 04:51 PM

Same problem... here... I work from the wheel on down. Wheel balance, bearing, table and then table mounting bushing (sorry that's what I call it) See the link below, numbers 4,5,6 . Once the front is tight I look at the rear.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...42&hg=31&fg=05

VLAD_325is · 09-20-2005, 02:20 PM

my guess would be front outer ball joints... just replaced mine at the local mechanic and this vibration when slightly turning has disappeared...

do you have trouble keeping the wheel straight when you hit some bumps on the road? well if you do than it is likely ball joints...

other options would be to balance tires.. or bad or uneven tires..

front wheel bearing just makes this grinding noise which is very annoying but the wheel should not vibrate... i have that too and will need to replace front wheel hub with bearing...

utahprez · 09-20-2005, 09:47 PM

It doesn't really jump around when I hiut bumps but it does feel a little loose. Tires are new and been on about a month. I noticed the vibration before I bought new PZeros for it and thought that it was the tires.

I'm going to replace the ball joints and I'll report back on the results.

Thanks for the info everybody...

utahprez · 02-04-2006, 04:28 PM

Sorrt that it took so long to get back to you guys but about a week after my last post I tore up a knee and had to have surgery. I just now got around to working on my car. I replaced the lower control arms (w/ball joints and the center joints pre-installed) and the lower control arm bushings and solved the vibration. One of the ball joints was completely shot and the other was just about gone.