Shimmy? - BMW Forum

masshoff · 02-05-2005, 06:36 AM

i notice a litle shimmy coming from (what feels like) the front of my 99 323 when i brake around 60mph. dependign on how hard i brake - it could be more pronounced. i'd say its more of a slight "side to side" feel as opposed to a "fore and aft" pulsing - if that makes sense?

wondering if anyone else might have had a similar issue in the past, before i head off to a shop to have it looked at.

thanks in advance~

storme · 02-05-2005, 12:25 PM

sounds like a warped disc,,or a worn bush or a wheel out of balance...when was the last time the wheels were balanced???

i do mine when the tyres are new,,,and then when they are about 1/2 worn,,,with 3 or 4mm left...that is 1/8 inch to 5/32 of an inch,,to our american friends,,who refuse to go decimal

peterkulesza · 02-05-2005, 03:07 PM

agree. most likely warped discs in front.

to prevent: do not get oem, get aftermarket. harder metal, but more chance of squeel. still: squeel unlikely if pads are stock or near stock and mounted properly.

Mach 5 · 02-07-2005, 01:24 PM

Most likely a warped rotor but if it is not then it may be a worn control arm bushing.
Ben

storme · 02-07-2005, 03:26 PM

can the control arm bush's be replaced?,,,and if so how easy??

doughboyea · 02-08-2005, 06:23 PM

My car had two problems when that happened to me.

Broken Bushings and warped rims.

The bushings were fixed for $444 (dealer) for the two and the rims are a minor thing, dealer wanted $430! EACH!! What a rip off... anyway, easier and cheaper to replace the rotors yourself first, just to make sure its not them. I'm not a mechanic so don't quote me, however, I think the bushings are alot more harder to do and costly to replace, I could be wrong.

Dough

masshoff · 02-08-2005, 07:08 PM

would there be a visual indicator on a warped rotor? if i pulled the wheel - would i see something that would clue me in - or are calipers needed?

storme · 02-09-2005, 12:49 PM

the real way to check the discs[rotors] is........

jack up the car
take off the wheel
get a finger clock or a dti [dial test indicator] this is an engineering tool

then spin the disc[rotor] and see how much the clock moves.....
it shouldnt move by more than 0.004" or 0.1mm
but i would prefer mine not to move at all!!!!!!