2008 528xi steering wheel vibration & shimmy - BMW Forum

jjskywlker · 06-28-2011, 07:55 PM

Per subject, I have a 2008 528xi with 29000 miles on it. Have been to 2 dealers approximately 7 times to remedy steering wheel shimmy/vibrations, and still having issues with very sloppy feeling steering wheel. I have repeatedly asked for techs to check thrust arm bushings and control arms, but they continually insist that "everything seems tight". The car does not feel anything like it did when I first bought it, and the vibrations are maddening. I'm going to tough it out until I can re-create with 100% reliability noticeable steering wheel shakes, but what else is there?

Visit 1 (BMW Fairfax): Significant steering wheel shimmy when light braking from 40-60. Techs couldn't re-create problem.
Visit 2 (Fairfax): Went back in and demanded a tech go on a ride-along. Showed the issue in range, dealer bled brakes.
Visit 3 (Fairfax): Next day, problem not fixed, dealer replaced front rotors and shimmy while braking went away. However, steering now developed new shimmy while at speed, roughly 45-65.
Visit 4 (BMW Sterling): Took in at 1 in the afternoon on a Friday. Had to pick it up Saturday because nothing was done.
Visit 5 (Sterling): Dealer says tires are out of round, moved fronts to back and road force balanced. Vibration and shimmy feels worse.
Visit 6 (Sterling): New tire install, got some Continental Extremecontact DWS. Shimmy is gone, but vibrations remain. Also aligned and balanced.
Visit 7 (Sterling): Car still vibrating and pulling to right. Re-aligned, yet again told that suspension components look fine, tires in balance. Vibration remains.

SanDiegoBMW · 07-10-2011, 08:57 PM

I recently had a shimmy/vibration in the steering wheel issue with the addition of a clunking sound when pulling out of driveways. Bushings were found to be cracked and rotors warped. The wishbones (PNs 31 12 6 768 297 and 31 12 6 768 298) and front rotors were replaced. So far, this appears to resolve the issue.

Jack Dabsy · 07-11-2011, 02:27 PM

I would say Rotors too at this stage !

DwsPrime · 07-15-2011, 11:25 AM

I have to disagree, the system has been balanced and bleed. Every is pointing to something in the steering linkage, probably a bad end link bushing. My 740i did the same thing, shimmy 50-60. One bushing was cracked on one tie rod end. It took me 5 weeks to find it.

Jack Dabsy · 07-15-2011, 02:24 PM

Drop links or roll-bar bushes then...

miguel446 · 12-05-2012, 05:08 PM

What about bmw thrust arms? I hear the regular clunk at low speeds pulling into and out of driveways and have considerable tire-wear on my front tires. My independent says it's the Thrust Arm Bushings being worn out. I'm about to change them.