Steering Wheel Rattle

[PaInBeLoW]

I just purchased a '93 525I and when I drive it on the highway at about 60 mph or more the steering wheels rattles moderately. It ony does it when Im in the actual process of accelerating. But If I coast at this speed, it doesnt rattle. And even when it rattles the car doesnt pull heavily to the left or right. Anybody have a similar experience and know what might be causing this?

[16valex]

I would check and replace outer tie rods. But If it is me I would check the whole front suspension, tie rods, stabilizer end links, control arms.

[Saggis]

Valex is right the stabilizers often cause such rattle, fairly simple procedure and not to costy...you could easily check it buy driving down to your closest shop that has a lift and jerk the stablizers a bit...feel for glitching

Also you might have lost a counterweight on one of the front wheels, this happend to me and the steering wheel rattled quite alot around 100km/h so check this too if needed.

Thumbrule:
rattling in the steeringwheel = something in the front suspension/wheels
rattling in the seat = suspension/wheels

[PaInBeLoW]

Are Tie Rods, stabilizers or control arms something I can fix my self or is something dealer only can handle? I have intermediate skills with wrenching on cars but then I again I've never worked on a bmw. I appreciate the input too fellas. Hopefully gonna get this solved asap.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

if you arn't very mechanical the i would sugest the dealer to do it and make sure they do an alignment

[da_bull]

Originally Posted by PaInBeLoW

Are Tie Rods, stabilizers or control arms something I can fix my self or is something dealer only can handle? I have intermediate skills with wrenching on cars but then I again I've never worked on a bmw. I appreciate the input too fellas. Hopefully gonna get this solved asap.

I am assuming the 93 is the same as my 90. They are fairly easy to do. I have a local import parts house (like Autozone, Oreillys, Pep Boys etc) that stocks only VW, BMW, Merc, etc.

Here's a couple links to see if you want to tackle them yourself, they're really not too bad, this site is wonderful for pix and descriptions for working on your bimmer:
BMW E34 Website - upper arms
BMW E34 Website - lower arms

[Saggis]

The stabilizers shouldnt be a problem, haven't changed the rest by myself on that car so can't tell you but i think you'd better leave it to a mech for simplicity...also...dont remember if its the same thing on the e34 but on the e39 its a hell to change the back stabilizers while the front ones are simple as that

[PaInBeLoW]

Yep! You're looks like the same body style as mine looks like! Good links too. Im going to drive it until Friday and see if can get a better feel for what exactly the source of the problem is. I'll jack it up on Saturday and take a look at the front suspension and see how far I can get (have the very small luxury of not having the car as a daily). Any specific kind of tool recommendation?

Originally Posted by da_bull

I am assuming the 93 is the same as my 90. They are fairly easy to do. I have a local import parts house (like Autozone, Oreillys, Pep Boys etc) that stocks only VW, BMW, Merc, etc.

Here's a couple links to see if you want to tackle them yourself, they're really not too bad, this site is wonderful for pix and descriptions for working on your bimmer:
BMW E34 Website - upper arms
BMW E34 Website - lower arms

[PaInBeLoW]

How do I get around not needing a ship press though? If I buy the whole arm will be able to avoid needing that?