Steering wheel shimmy/vibration - BMW Forum

centuit · 08-19-2011, 07:16 AM

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I am desperate for a solution.
I have a E60 (2008 528i) with 71000 miles on it, as of about 3 weeeks ago the car steering wheel starts to shim and vibrate. this ONLY happens in the morning after the car has been sitting overnight. The problem goes away after about 10-15min of driving or applying the brakes a few time. The steering wheel does not vibrate or shim when I brake, this only happens when the car has been sitting for about 8 hours. Took it to the dealer, they cannot find anything wrong, took it to a local BMW shop and also they could not find anything wrong except for the normal wear on the vehicle.

Has anyone encounter this issue or has any suggestions ?

Thanks

brettski · 08-19-2011, 09:13 AM

Welcome to the Werkz.

Have you changed the tyres on this car recently, or has the weather been colder in the last 3 weeks? Is it possible that your tyres are taking on a flat spot until they warm up, soften up and resume their roundness?

If you have some stands, jack your car up and put it on the stands over night, take it off the stands as soon as you ar ready to drive and see if the problem is there. If it isn't then you may have your answer, if it is, then someone else may have some other suggestions. Let us know either way.

Don't leave your car jacked up where someone might take advantage of the situation, or where its unsafe to do so.

Jack Dabsy · 08-19-2011, 01:32 PM

Might sound daft but... ATF in power steering?

jimmythepie · 08-19-2011, 06:16 PM

good to see your on top of the health n safety issues Brettski,mmmmm,you look mighty like the guy on the gyrocoptor at the end of mad max,any relation?

brettski · 08-20-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

good to see your on top of the health n safety issues Brettski,mmmmm,you look mighty like the guy on the gyrocoptor at the end of mad max,any relation?

No relation but I do have the DVD in my collection. Well spotted.

jimmythepie · 08-20-2011, 07:05 AM

Ha! i knew it,your him for certain,bet that seven of yours has twin gatling guns mounted.

brettski · 08-20-2011, 07:09 AM

Gattling guns are two noisey for a 7er, rocket launches, they are nice and quiet, and so much more refined.

sktn77a · 08-21-2011, 04:20 PM

What type of tires do you have and when did you get them? Some tires are known to flat spot overnight. Don't ask me how the tire manufacturers get away with this.

jimmythepie · 08-22-2011, 07:51 AM

more to the point what type of rocket launchers does Brettski have!

any tires in particular?that flat out.

kyled · 08-24-2011, 08:18 PM

Your tires could be out of balance, could possibly be warped brake rotors or you might simply need to go to your dealer to get your tires rotated and realigned.

My BMW 540i had a similar problem and a simple rotation at my dealer took care of the problems. Best to it sooner than later!

Jack Dabsy · 08-25-2011, 12:58 PM

Could even be the ABS !!

abjm3 · 08-27-2011, 09:00 AM

Sounds like an air pressure issue, nitrogen in your tires might help as it takes longer to permeate through the tires, unlike air pressure that varies by temperature.

Jack Dabsy · 08-27-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abjm3

Sounds like an air pressure issue, nitrogen in your tires might help as it takes longer to permeate through the tires, unlike air pressure that varies by temperature.

?

centuit · 08-27-2011, 08:17 PM

Ok, here is what was done so far to the vehicle.

1) I relplaced the tires with Continentals 94W, all 4 tires.
2) Balanced all 4 tires.
3) Had the front end checked by dealer and local bmw car shop:
Dealer and local car shop checked the entire front end, including bushings,
and for loose arms, again found nothing wrong.
Another observation is that the car does vibrate on speeds above 65 MPH, and the vibration is felt on the steering wheel and on the bottom of my pants.

My next move might be replacing all 4 rotors, but that is expensive, and the car does NOT vibrate when the brakes are applied, if I knew that was the problem, I would do it.
This is a serious mystery that is very frustrating...a friend of a friend told me that it could be the struts, is that possible ?
I dont want to start replacing piece by piece in the front end which will get too costly.

Jack Dabsy · 08-28-2011, 11:32 AM

Leave the rotors alone then...
Check the centre coupling Bearing on the drive-shaft for lateral movement...