Replace Castor Bushings? - BMW Forum

comncense · 01-08-2006, 10:41 AM

Ok, I took my BMW in for service a couple weeks ago. Amongst the things I wanted checked out was that while driving my steering wheel shakes like crazy, especially around 80 or so mph. So according to the dealership I needed to replace my castor bushings which would cost me around $500 or so. Conviently that wasn't covered by the extended warranty. So I wasn't sure if they were trying to get some extra money out of me or if it was the truth. I was thinking it was something that could be fixed via alignment and balancing. I caught a couple of flat tires recently and had the tire shop align the car, so maybe they didn't do it correctly. Any thoughts?

peterkulesza · 01-08-2006, 05:07 PM

not alignement. balance for sure first, then check the play on the bushings. i am not familiar with the "caster bushings", but bunch of the rubber parts can wear out in the front suspension. other guys on the forum knwo the specifics of control arms etc much better, they can comment.

lastly, this is not only under braking? warped rotors do this....

Hootie · 01-09-2006, 08:11 AM

Actually, I had an old set of Continental tires that would vibrate violently above 85mph. Replacing with a set of new Pirelli's removed that problem. I was worried about the rotors as well, but turns out it was just bad tires. How much tread left on your tires?

comncense · 01-09-2006, 09:23 AM

My front tires are good still, and actually i just replaced my 2 back tires with some Pirelli's also so I dont think it could be a tire related problem. I'm still more leaning toward that the tire shop didn't know how to correctly align and balance the car once they put on the new tires.

storme · 01-09-2006, 01:13 PM

hi

i had the same at 40mph.....AND when i braked the was a lot of judder

when i had new tryes and a good balanec..it was all gone...
if youve had new rears..why not swap them over and see if it helps

good luck

ps..i also get some rubber replenisher type spray and spray any rubber bushes under the front

comncense · 01-09-2006, 03:10 PM

I think I'll take the advice and try getting the car balanced first and then go from there. There's no way I'm going to put down 500 dollars for bushings right now.