Interesting Steering Vibration Problem. - BMW Forum

DaveW · 10-19-2004, 03:21 PM

I have an intermittant vibration in my steering column. It started after I replaced all four break pad sets. When I replaced them I noticed the rotors were pretty worn and I know I need to replace them soon, but I just didn't have the money at the time and figured I could wait a few months yet. The problem is rather sporadic, only seems to occur after I take a sharp turn, go over a nasty bump, a series of smaller potholes or such.

When I replcaed my break pads I didn't use the spacers that come with the pads because my manual didn't mention them and I talked with a couple friends who own Audi's and they were saying they've never used them and everything is happy. Granted it's not a BMW, but it's still a german car, thought they might have some insight. This is really starting to grate on my nerves because it just started after I got new pads... I'm hoping in the process there's not something wrong with my steering assembly or something like that.

Has anyone run into any problems like this??

Thanks Much.

xsperf · 10-19-2004, 03:28 PM

something has got to be loose there

double check the tire, take it off and put it back on, and if it still happens, its probably a bigger problem

DaveW · 10-19-2004, 03:46 PM

hmm, that kinda sucks. I did double check to make sure everything was tightened and properly torqued... bigger problems are just not good....

///M3 FX · 10-19-2004, 04:01 PM

Did they align your wheel, and balance them.

mikester318 · 10-19-2004, 04:56 PM

It's most likely you have warped rotors... I have that too, when I press the brakes fairly lightly going about 35-50 mph my steering wheel vibrates, and if my shifter is in neutral it'll also kinda jiggle around heh. This is fairly common to these cars.

Mike

DaveW · 10-20-2004, 12:04 AM

It's not warped rotors (though I'm sure I have those as well), I know what that feels like. This is much less frequent and much less predictable. I'll hit a bump and have a slight vibration. Or I'll take a turn real hard and my steering system gives me a nice little whine and shimmy. As for alignment, I've never heard of have to have the tires realigned after replacing the pads. They were aligned and balanced when I had them replaced.

xsperf · 10-20-2004, 12:16 AM

its probaby something with ur suspension or something.. i find it ironic that it happens right after u replaced ur pads, u didnt do anything wrong, did u?

DaveW · 10-20-2004, 01:22 AM

I hope not. I didn't use the spacers that come with the pads but that's about it. It is the first time I've replaced them on my BMW, but I've done it numerous times on my other vehicles... is there something special that bmw needs done?

///M3 FX · 10-20-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveW@Oct 19 2004, 11:22 PM
I hope not. I didn't use the spacers that come with the pads but that's about it. It is the first time I've replaced them on my BMW, but I've done it numerous times on my other vehicles... is there something special that bmw needs done?

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Any sounds going on while this happens ?
Do you think its coming from the front or the rear ?
Im also thinking that it could be the Brake Dust Shield behind the rotor some times that has to be pushed back so it doesnt rub.

DaveW · 10-20-2004, 02:45 PM

No sound when there's the vibration. If I take a hard turn or sometimes just a sharp turn there's a wine in the steering system... when I was reading one of the FAQ's someone mentioned that they thought it might be air in the steering fluid lines or something to that efect. Any sound that's happening is definately from the front end of the car though.

///M3 FX · 10-20-2004, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveW@Oct 20 2004, 12:45 PM
No sound when there's the vibration. If I take a hard turn or sometimes just a sharp turn there's a wine in the steering system... when I was reading one of the FAQ's someone mentioned that they thought it might be air in the steering fluid lines or something to that efect. Any sound that's happening is definately from the front end of the car though.

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Thats what I was thinking, if it came from your back then I was thinking it was your RSM, Id definatley take it to the stealer. Be sure to tell us what it was and what caused it if you could and the fix that they did.

DaveW · 10-21-2004, 01:39 AM

Yeah, I'm thinking I might be able to get it in this weekend yet... I hope. What I'm kinda hoping is that I can have them diagnose it then fix it myself.

When they want $670 for a damn muffler I'd hate to have them do serious work.

{|nf3rn0} · 10-21-2004, 04:34 AM

i had a vibrating/whining problem that have been following me and costing me loads.
Look, do me a favor and check the steering fluid level.

I had that fluid going away like crazy i had to fill it up ever 4 days. The whining/vibration used to occur when fluid was all gone. i had to change what we call in my country a "Steering Box" . Its that box that controls the steering and reflects it to the wheels (if u go under the car u find it in the front) am sorry i dunno the technical description as u guyz know it.. am less than a rookie in mechanical naming hehe

So check the fluid and tell us. Cuz i changed that "Steering Box" thing replaced it with a used one, and ironically the new, used one was also messed and i had to change the Seals inside it.... no work.

Last week, i changed the whole box again, and changed so many stuff linked to it..had to reallign my wheels for everything to work. hopefully it should work now. (i don have vibration/whining anymore ) only a slight one when i slightly steer left (cuz my driver side was switched heheh)

Whoaaah.. i talk to much ! sorry !!

///M3 FX · 10-21-2004, 10:20 PM

hmm was thinking I think bad control arm bushings can cause steering shake also cant it ?

DaveW · 10-22-2004, 04:22 PM

I don't know about the control arm bushing, but it sounds like it's something that could cause shake.

As far as fluid level, I'm going to have to check into that, when I bought it it was low of fluid level and I had the same whining problem, they refilled the fluid and it worked great. Maybe it's just gotten low to a point of cause a random shake when the the steering is put under stress...