Random streeing wobbles

Boxer2 · 04-15-2010, 11:18 PM

Car is an 88 635csi, recently changed springs and shocks, installed larger sway bars with urethane bushings, and replaced upper and lower control arms. Just got the car all back together and now it sometimes has this wobble in the steering between the speeds of 50-70km, it does not do this all the time, this is totally random, sometimes it drives just perfect. I have checked for tie rod play and any other play in the ball joints and everything seems tight.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Any ideas on what might be wrong?

Rene

North · 04-15-2010, 11:25 PM

Have you had an alignment done recently?

Ceeker · 04-15-2010, 11:50 PM

check for tire balance as well. it happens sometimes because...depending on road conditions too. it can set up the vibration. did you get new control arm "bushing?"

Boxer2 · 04-16-2010, 12:01 AM

I did suspect alignment might be causing this and the car is going in tomorrow to have it done. I suppose at the same time I will have the wheels checked for balance, they were done last august but I suppose they could be out again. All road conditions were newly paved roads, and I replace the entire control arms including ball joints and bushings with new OEM parts.

MANDD · 04-16-2010, 02:43 PM

What type of rims are fitted to your 6er? If they are non oem then the rim hub diameter may be larger and they may have been fitted with hub centric rings that could have fallen off.

Mark.

richie_s999 · 04-16-2010, 04:10 PM

Rene. With the poly bushings and bigger sways my money is on alignment because everything is sitting differently. Also check the tires for bad wear patterens that may have happened due to the old suspension being out and now the treads not contacting the pavement properly or grabbing on the edges in ruts

hockeyfan27 · 04-16-2010, 04:19 PM

I was researching the same issue. My wobble is random and occurs from 100-110kmph

I found this:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...t=wheel+wobble
and
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1412283

going to switch tires tonight, will report back.

Boxer2 · 04-17-2010, 06:38 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Got the allignment done, mechanic said it really wasn't out much, but it's now in perfect spec. Tires are all good balance, even tread wear, and all hub centric rings are in place. The wobble is still happening, the mechaninc that did the allignment also suggested that I check my sway bar links to make sure they all had even tension, he seemed to think the rear sway bar was to tight. So what I'm planing on doing is lifting the car, disconnecting the links, then lower the car so the weight is back on the wheels, then re adjust and re connect the links making sure they all have even pressure. Doing the labor now, will test drive after and let you know what happens.

Boxer2 · 04-17-2010, 09:57 PM

Re-adjusted the sway bar links and still no change, seems to be happening more when I hit a bump in the road. not to sure what else to check now, any ideas?

hockeyfan27 · 04-23-2010, 11:29 AM

My summers are on. Arrow head pattern is off. Wobble still exists but is less noticeable. However, Rocco said my front shocks are toast, which I notice mostly when hitting bumps or pot holes, but may be contributing to the wobble.

Fern3 · 04-23-2010, 11:43 AM

steering wobble is usually created from lose steering rack components or bad tie rods. id start with checking the tie rod assembly for looseness and then the u-joints on the steering rack. it there a "dead spot" or play in the steering?

craz azn · 04-23-2010, 10:33 PM

Were the front control arms tightened in a loaded position?

steve.325i · 04-23-2010, 11:59 PM

I have nothing constructive to add to this, but I have a front end wobble that starts @ 100km so I 'm going to follow to see where this ends up.

The winter tires where better but with the more agressive tread they have a general low vibration anyway.

I've had my summers (10k on them) road forced & just had one replaced. Things are improving but I think I have multiple issues ... not entirely sure.

Last allignment was last April. I changed both front wheel bearing in Sept but didn't get it realligned. Winter tire wear is normal.

Boxer2 · 04-27-2010, 07:47 PM

The problem seems to have gone away now, I think the tires may have had flat spots from sitting all winter. Rudy, to answer your question the control arms were tightened after the ball joints were inserted into the struts, so they were not loaded until the weight of the car was put on them. Now I'm dealing with a no start issue, but this kind of thing is usually easy to track down.

cheers guys and thanks for the pointers.

Rene

lotus49 · 07-04-2011, 01:58 PM

Steering box mounts? (Known to crack, no?)