1995 525i Wheel Vibration - BMW Forum

sooraj · 05-08-2004, 10:25 AM

Hi,

Around 50 mph there is very noticeable vibration in the front and it goes away or is reduced as I reach 65mph. I had the tires balanced and rotated on the 1995 525i. I still have the same problem. I have custom aluminium wheels with spacers. The first time I had a flat, I had a lot of trouble trying to get the spare on. When I removed the wheel, the spacer remained on the hub. It took me a while to realize what the problem was.

What could be the problem with this vibration? Is this just balancing problem or some thing more to it?

Thanks
Sooraj

sp0rky · 05-08-2004, 11:27 AM

MOST likely its not your wheels, tires or spacers.

The spacers CAN cause this problem, but im more willing to bet that its your thrust arm bushings, it's a common problem on the e34 5 series and creates that feeling at the speeds you said.

If you want to see, go here : http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/...n/upper_arm.htm

sooraj · 05-08-2004, 03:41 PM

Thank you very much for that very specific diagnosis and the link. The link is quite informative and it looks like the most probable cause is the thrust arm failure.

It just occurred to me that when the tire shop removes the wheels to balance, what if one of the spacers stays back on the hub? Is it possible for them to balance the wheel without a spacer? Could that cause any problem? I instructed them to not to rotate the tires since I had already done that. They may not notice that one of the spacers is still on the hub at the time of putting the wheel back.

Much appreciate your help.

Thank you
Sooraj

sooraj · 06-01-2004, 11:11 AM

Hi,

I have now replaced both the Thrust Arms. Replaced the rotors and brake pads on all four wheels. Had the tires/wheels balanced.

I still have the same exact problem. The front shakes quite violently as I pass thorugh 50-65. Doesn't matter, whether I am increasing or decreasing the speed. Doesn't matter if the vehicle is in neutral or in gear.

This is very weird. Looks like some thing goes in to resonance in this speed range.

I gather that what I previously described as "spacers" can also be called "hub centric rings." I have four custom wheels made by ROH 7JJX16 and each wheel has an aluminum hub centric ring. When I remove the wheel some times the ring remains with the wheel and some times the ring stays on the hub. Could this be a problem that some wheels are balanced with the ring and some without?

I also notice that the wear is uneven on the tires. Outside is slightly more than inside. It was suggested to me that the problem could be with the tires. To me the problem seems too much like mechanical origin rather than tires. I would expect the problem to show up at all speeds if it is with the tires.

Any comments suggestions are appreciated. The car is now undrivable at the most common high way speeds.

Thanks
Sooraj

frank3 · 06-01-2004, 01:42 PM

This may be too simplistic of a question, but since you haven't mentioned anything about a wheel alignment...did you have your wheels aligned? Inside wear can indicate incorrect camber setting or a combination of incorrect camber and caster. If so, this could also contribute to the shaking.

sooraj · 06-01-2004, 06:25 PM

Good question. Alignment points to the uneven tire wear. I am not sure if it also causes the shimmy. In any case, I got an appointment with the dealer for the alignment a week from next Thursday.

I don't know who is more busy--my doctor, dentist, or the BMW dealer

I still have the shimmy

All suggestions are welcome

Sooraj

karab95 · 06-02-2004, 12:53 AM

Does this happens or exaggerated when you brake? If so it's calipers or thrust arm bushings.. as was the case with my E34.

karab95 · 06-02-2004, 12:55 AM

Oh forgot one more thing, if it happens at all the time and more noticeable at higher speed ranges (35 - 70mph depending on severity), have your rotors re-machined.

mozart · 06-06-2004, 06:03 PM

HI i am a newbie on ear but have been dropping in every now and then and i just seen this post , I got a problem like this one only my e34 don,t shake it throws my car either left or right when i brake. i have changed both upper arms and bushes and also 2 new disks with pads and both t-rod ends ???? help......
cheers ........

E28boi · 06-14-2004, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mozart@Jun 6 2004, 06:43 PM
HI i am a newbie on ear but have been dropping in every now and then and i just seen this post , I got a problem like this one only my e34 don,t shake it throws my car either left or right when i brake. i have changed both upper arms and bushes and also 2 new disks with pads and both t-rod ends ???? help......
cheers ........

sounds like you have a sticky caliper or a clogged brake line.

BlondGod · 06-16-2004, 03:59 PM

Sooraj, I had the same problem and changed my trust arm, Lower control arm, and sway bar link, the problem vanished and the sympthoms were the exact same as what you described. The reason I am writing is that you made no mention of the bushings in the thrust arm, If they were not replaced along with the thrust arm you have to put new bushings in. You can quite easily fit the parts on your own if you have an assortment of basic tools except putting in a new bushing in the thrust arm, I tried a lot of different things and it would not budge, it needs about 4 metric tons and upward before it starts moving.(if you happen to have some liquid Nitrogen laying around you could possibly get the bushing to fit if you freeze it first, and heat the arm but I doubt it.

)

Apparently it is also a good idea to fit the bushing of a 750IL instead of the standard one for 525i. It should last longer, give a bit stiffer handling but it will also increase the amount of cabin noise from the wheels.

Oh, and pre thrust arm change, the shimmy increased when breaking, even at moderate speeds.

Anyways, make sure to give us a shout when u figure out what causes the shimmy on your car