Wobble/Judder from Steering Wheel. Just started? What can it be?

[Anees]

Hi Guys,:)

When I had my new rear tyre fitted on Tuesday (to replaced punctured on), I asked the place I was using (WheelBase in Oldham) to balance by front tyres. I was getting a slight vibration at from 40 to 80ish (where it got quite bad).

Drove the car home and noticed the vibration still there once I got on the motorway from 60 - 80mph. At 70mph the vibration is not too bad, but at 80mph its really bad, with the wheel really jumping about.

I assumed the balancing was not quite right, so I went to my mates garage where I know he keeps his machine calibrated all the time and we balanced the wheels again; they were out by 9Lbs one side and 14Lbs other side. He did explain to me that different places use different methods to balance their wheels - he balances his wheels on the outside only and has never had a comeback. Both wheels came up 0.0 on the machine so he refitted them and I thought that would be the end of the problem; driving home I still have the same problem. :(

I am confident its not the wheel balancing anymore so what could it be? :confused:

Car is on Eibach Coilovers, Eibach Anti Roll Bars, Powerflex Front Wishbone
Rear Bush and Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bush.

The following info maybe unrelated but it might be useful:

This week I have noticed that the ride on the coilovers has stiffened up too - done about 1000miles on them now.

An issue I have recently noticed too is that the steering wheel in the centre position appears to be very slightly dead in that I can make tiny adjustments and it doesn't really affect the wheels that much. I suppose its not "sharp".

When I had the geometry done about three weeks ago; I thought that the steering was not quite straight; so went back and they straightened it up for me, although thinking about it it might be related to the issue above.

The geometry is all in spec apart from the caster which is very slightly out (but is not adjustable anyway).


What other things are their to check? I am thinking that since all the above suspension mods have been done (and uprated) I am now seeing the next week link in the suspension raise its head.

Any advice appreciated. :)

Thanks,
Anees :D

[Anees]

Will pop back to my mates garage after work tomorrow if I can; but from my reading on here and BMWLand; it does sound like it could be Ball joints or Wishbones - thats if the another wheel balance doesn't fix the issue.

[Chosun Wan]

may be front rear wishbone bushes?

[Anees]

Already changed to Powerflex Front Rear Bushes :)

[BigFas]

sounds like warped discs. check those too

[Anees]

Went to my mates garage today and he did spent some serious time on that car that I am thankful for. We went on a proper run taking in all kinds of roads.

The steering definetly does jump about/wobble; but it is not always at the same speed. The car seems to pull to the left sightly too and on the motorway it seemed to wonder slightly. He also noticed far too much play in the steering wheel. He could make quite sizable turns on the steering wheel before the wheel actually moved. When the car is not running the amount of play increases.

Obviously after having spent all this money on suspension I wasn't expecting it to be that bad! We got the car on the ramp and he had a good look around. I was expecting him to say that the front wishbones/ball joints were knackered - but no, he said they seemed fine. He said the only thing he can thing of was a "steering wheel knuckle joint" (he couldn't remember the proper name) or maybe even the steering rack. Had had a look and the bits were hot because of the drive; but he DID find play, but couldn't tell if it was coming from the steering rack or the knuckle joint. He said that play in this knuckle joint would definetly explain the unresponsive steering, the wondering and the "shimmying" "jittering"

He is a great believer in OEM and he always was against coilovers; but even he didn't think it was the coilovers at fault - but they do contribute towards the issue because they are stiffer.

Not sure what to do now?

I bet a e46 steering rack is EXPENSIVE! :(

Feeling a bit fedup now and thinking of just packing it in; getting an Eibach Pro-Kit and be done with it! :(

[Purvesh]

I hate to say this, but I think it's the Eagle F1s. I had a full set put on about a month ago, and the car is just all over the place - literally!

It's actually no fun driving the car anymore as it just skips from one side to the other. Not sure what to do now :S

[mikem]

I`ve always found F1`s to be far and away better than anything else, even PS2`s.

I think Anees is running Falkens `tho.

[Anees]

@Purvesh - On my Lexus I had F1s and they were superb. Maybe your tyres have not quit started gripping properly? You did buy the ones made in Germany?

@Mikem -Yeah, running Falkens this time mate. Thing is though that it has only got bad from last week.

I really need this sorted because (like Purvesh) totally ruins the drive. The eibach coilovers do give quite a nice ride; but maybe they are just showing up too many weak links in my cars suspension?

[mikem]

TBH mate, I`ve noticed something very simillar in mine since I put the H&R`s on, not been out in it much `tho so will have a better idea after my trip this weekend but I don`t have any play in the steering.

[Anees]

Had a look on realoem and this bit is what my mate said I have play in (he thinks or it could be the actual rack - but their is deffo play in on of them):

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/v/s/98.png

The bit at the top with the Nos 3/5 on it.

What is it called?

Link here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=ED92&mospid=47643&btnr=32_0942&hg=32&fg=30

The parts list dosn't list what its called.

[yas_530d]

having similar problems, my mate mounted a kerb with the car, bucked rim, and various other parts, after further invesigation, replaced wish bone, lower control arm, brake discs, new tyres, new alloys, had alignment done twice, vibration is still there between 60-75, and its gone, going to have the wheels balanced once more then see what the outcome is

[Anees]

Right been doing lots of digging into this. Apparently their is a rubber coupling (which is what my mate was refering to) on the lower steering column joint assembly that can wear. When it wears all the imperfections and vibrations in the road are no longer cushioned, so you get the vibration/judder. A few people on e46fanatics have replaced it and in most cases it has made a substantial improvement to play.

Info Here:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=470103&highlight=steering+play

I have ordered that part from my stealer today:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AV53&mospid=47725&btnr=32_0942&hg=32&fg=30

No - 4 for the newer cars. No - 2 for the older cars.

Fingers crossed......:o

[Anees]

Also been suggested that I get all four wheels rebalanced somewhere that can balance wheels with a solid centre

The wheels are bolted to the machine on a rig like this.....

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/uploads/monthly_10_2007/post-2-1192185009.jpg

Anyone know a place that could do this? Manchester/North based ;)