1994 540i shaking/vibrating at certain speeds

[Dreamdropz]

Hi Guys,
A friend of mine just bought this 94 540i everything about the car is great except that at 40-60 it shakes and vibrates. Just had an alignment done any clues as to what would cause this? Thanks for any help

[da_bull]

Thrust arms are usually the culprit: BMW E34 Website

[Dreamdropz]

Thanks! I'll let him know that tomorrow before he takes it back into the suspension shop.

[winters97E39]

Hmmm, you think the shop would have caught that when he had the alignment done...

[LOS]

Check your drive-shaft as well.
My 840 used to vibrate at 35mph then the vibration would go away. I replaced the bushings and did an alignment but the problem was still there. It turned out it was the drive-shaft.

LOS

[Dreamdropz]

Yes winters that was my first thought as well, but then they didn't even test drive the car before or after doing the alignment.

[winters97E39]

Originally Posted by Dreamdropz

Yes winters that was my first thought as well, but then they didn't even test drive the car before or after doing the alignment.

If it were me I wouldnt take it back to that shop. Ask around for a reputable BMW shop in your area.

[cell]

Vibration is also caused by changing your rims to an after market ones which has a wider hub than your original rims. Usually the car shakes between 50-60 mph but mostly shakes and vibrates at 55 mph. I have 1994 BMW 540I and a 2000 Mercedes 430, the BMW shaked violently after changing the rims, I was told about this hub rings and did bought that and placed it. The shacking and vibration resolved only that once in a while you fill it. I finally got tired of the sporty looks and the rough ride of 235/45/17, so yesterday I put the original rims back with 225/60/15, now I am enjoying the comfort again.

I bought this 2000 Mercy in December, when I test drive it I was within the city so I was going slow and did not felt the vibration because I was only going about 35 mph. Soon as I took it home and has paid and signed the papers I was feeling the shacking and vibration, I was disappointed. I took the car to a tire shop, had the wheels balanced and alligned and it was still the same. The car has a 19" Lorinzer rims with Continental 260/40/19 tires and there it was, the hub of the rims is too wide, basically, the log nuts was the only one holding the rims in place. I then realized that reason the owner had the car in the garaged for 10 months and only had 57,000 miles, complete Lorinzer body kit is because of the shaking and vibration. I ordered a hub ring and got a thick one. I took it to a machine shop and cut it for me .After said and done, the car is running smooth.

cell

[Dreamdropz]

Thanks to all of you for replying...The car was shaking and vibrating because the tires were out of round. also something I thought should have been caught when doing the alignment and balancing...my babies won't be going there!

[da_bull]

Interesting. Had the car sat for a long while before purchasing?

[Dreamdropz]

Apparently yes the car had sat for quite awhile,going from auction to auction before ending up on the lot where he bought it.

[Jakers]

Same thing here. I am about to put my car up for sale and have a thing about selling a car with problems... My car does the same thing except at 45-50 mph it shakes when cold. The car also shimmies at exactly 45 mph when the brake is applied. If it is a "thrust bushing" worn out, how much to repair it.

[LOS]

The bushings are about $40 a piece (need 2) plus installation.
Check out bavauto.com or autohausaz.com for the bushings. I usually get my parts from these two places.
Good luck

LOS

[m1rza]

i hit a pothole pretty hard with my 97 528, the car was shaking pretty hard when i went above 30... they told me some wires to the transmission were like loose or cut off.

[xchanger]

It's the thrust arm and possibly the aftermarket wheels.

Do you guys know anything about a whining sound when you accelerate. It sounds like an electric car. This sound occurs at the beginning of acceleration.