Problems with Upgraded Wheels

[Pimp-My-Ride]

Dudes [jam

Anyone out there to answer my question

I've got a 325i 2001 model, upgraded the wheels to 18s from the standard 16s. The problem is when driving, slowing down or breaking the car pulls towards the right or left sometimes.

The Alloys are original BMW 18’s, BMW Club Sport. The guy at the alloy shop said it’s a common problem with all BM's when the wheels are upgraded. He said to resolve the problem I need to change the lower arm bushes.
Spoke to BM and they said there is no lower arm bushes except for the wishbone bushes witch is something else

Tin suggested changing the break discs
I was looking to change the break discs and the front two tyres as they are pretty much worn.

Any suggestions? [hmm

[BigFas]

From what you say, it sounds like tramlining. If there were issues with the brakes or suspension or bushes, the car would pull to one side consistently, but you say it's random to what side your car pulls to, it sounds like tramlining which is perfectly normal with wider and bigger wheels / tyres

[Tin]

hello mate, welcome, tons of info available here.

I would look at the tyres first, how worn is worn? if you still have your old wheels, stick em on and see if the problem is there.. if not, would most likely be the worn front tyres.

Tin

[lee330sport]

Yeah that just sounds like tramlining to me.

[330-Singh]

Its always worth getting your Alignment checked when upgrading your wheels. You might be surprised, it can often cure or reduce tramlining.

[Pimp-My-Ride]

Tramlining :eek:

I had my mate from BMW check it out as well. He mentioned the same thing and also said there is no fix. The only thing he can do is hook it up to some sort of infra red camera's and look at the geometry of the wheels and do some sort of re-alignment if he can.

What about the lower arm bushes? Anyone heard about this

A few people have suggested in changing the break discs. Even the guy from BMW who carried out my service last year said I will need to change them soon. :(

Tyres they are pretty worn esp. the edges of the tyres, tyre depth is about 2-3mm left :mad:

[h4pry]

Welcome Dude... ;)

I also have a 2001 325 but mine is a drop top. I like you upgraded from 16's to 18's and mine tram lines. I have had the alignment checked, 4 wheel laser alignment (toe,camber, caster and all that jazz) and new tyres but it didn't make any diference. TBH it is not really that bad so I just live with it. Also remember it is not at all uncommon for cars to pull to one side in this country due to the camber and shit roads.

[RDG 40]

unfortuatly its just good old tramlining ive lived with it all my driving life as ive always had bigger wheels on. you will get used to it over time

[Estoril Sport]

I've read that some tyres are better in reducing the effect of tramlining then others, but they will not stop it. Ive got Michelin pilot sports on mine, which are better then most. I have read that you should not mix the tyers from diffrent makes as this can have an effect (even between from and back) plus have you checked your air pressures are right.

[peppernick]

You should not change more than one thing at a time or else you'll never find out what is the cause.

I would change the front tyres first and get the wheels balanced properly whilst at it.

It's not uncommon to have the rear bushes of the front control arm to wear out prematurely but your car will feel really wobbly during accleration too.

Are you holding on to the steering when braking? It's very common in the UK to have the uneven road surface pull the car to one side during braking.

Tramlining is common with fatter tyres but the effect of tramlining is felt most during cruising when you feel the car follows the contour of the road rather than it happening during braking. You'll get use to tramlining after a while. No cure unless you go back to 16" with narrow tyres.

Worn brake discs shouldn't give that kind of problem. You may want to check your brake bias left and right. I had the same problem with my BBKs after the initial installation caused by air bubbles in the brake lines. A re-bleed cured the problem.

[magl30]

with that sort of upgrade it might also be worth seeing if you can put a bit more -ve camber on the fronts and rears. you'll be losing some of the steering feel going up in size and more camber should be able to bring some of that back and in and also help the turn in.

[will_uk]

Check this out :

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/tramlining.jsp

[Nickleback]

hello mate, welcome, tons of info available here.

I would look at the tyres first, how worn is worn? if you still have your old wheels, stick em on and see if the problem is there.. if not, would most likely be the worn front tyres.

Tin

[hiya Hi Mate. I agree with Tin, put the old ones on & see if you still got a problem.
If yes, check the geometry etc etc
If no, then its probably tramlining, so minimise it by going for new Pilot sports when you decide to renew the tyres.
Hope it works for ya :)