Front End Lifting - BMW Forum

nookatee · 05-01-2005, 10:55 PM

i'm wondering if I may have bent my front crossmember from jacking the car up by it. I've noticed (after changing my tie-rods with an alignment and changing the ball joints) a vibration at higher speeds. Let's say 65+. It feels rotational and sort of like a thud-thud-thud. I'm not too sure if this is indicative of a bent crossmember ot if it could be something else. Please help a brotha out.
Ramy

EDIT: oh yeah, it's a 93 325i

Cruzin 323is · 05-02-2005, 12:26 AM

well u said u changed the balljoints.. then it prolly a bent rim, or a unbalanced tire... check them out!

nookatee · 05-03-2005, 11:50 AM

I've thought of that too and I'll look into it, but I've heard that in general, unless the wheels were balanced wrong to begin with, it's pretty rare for them to loose their balance, so to speak. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Gkamysz · 05-06-2005, 10:23 AM

I had a similar problem when I bought mine. I checked air pressure when I got it and set it properly. Two tires were low. The tires were original from 97 with 65k on them. I balanced the wheels and it minimized shake. I just had the shop look over my car and they think the tires were driven for a while with improper pressure. It was pulling before I took it in and they said a tire was low again, I hadn't checked them in a month. The shop says they are wearing evenly just worn. I also need the lower control arm bushing and lower ball joints replaced. New tires should make all the difference. I expect it to drive like new with the new bushings and tires. If it still pulls I'll get an alignment, but the shop says bushings and tires will fix that.

nookatee · 05-06-2005, 12:49 PM

so basically, here's my whole story. I replaced my tie-rods after I had my outter ball joints replaced because there was still some shaking after the ball joints were put in. I got an alignment after that but then I noticed that the shaking was still there, it was just at a lower speed. So, instead of from 60+ it's now from 40-60 ish. I've ALSO noticed that my rear brakes are warped (or so this is the theory). When I stop, it feels like I'm running over a bump. thud thud thud, that gets slower the more i slow down. so i think that maybe that could be it. ...i also think that maybe i should have a mechanic check it out. ;-)

wulley1 · 05-07-2005, 01:30 AM

40-60mph is the most common speed for out of balance tires to shake. Try getting your front tires(or all 4) balance.