WEIRD Vibrations when going more than 100 km/h!!! HELP!

[bmur45]

Thanks for all the replies fellas, the problem actually went away today when i got on the highway. I think it was just some snow build up near the tires or near the rim. Toronto did get alot of snow this past week so that might have been the issue. I'm glad it wasnt to serious. It's good to have some fellow X5'ers to share their advice and experiences with our vehicles, this is one hell of a fourm. Thanks Again

[Eric Le Baron]

I recently had quite some vibration as well.
Even at low speeds.
Changed the front pads.
One of them got really slim.
Way slimmer then the other side.
The rims on that side were pretty dark caused by the brake dust.
Reason was a broken rubber dustcover.
Because of that, the caliper's piston was a little bit corroded and did not retract enough after releasing the brakes.
Think I paid about eur. 17 for a repair kit.
It's number 10 on http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=34&fg=05
In a brake shop this part would be eur. 13
Still expensive for 2 small pieces of rubber...
Replaced the brake fluid with the Black Label European Power Bleeder from motiveproducts.com
Everything is back to normal now.

[mrcohlmia]

I don't know if anyone will look at this thread again, but I am having serious vibration issues. I have had my replica 20's with michelin diamaris tires for about a year now. When I first got them I did not notice any vibration, but my problems as of late have been many. At 55 mph the steering wheel shakes visibly, like the front wheels are moving from side to side or something. Outside of that speed that does not occur. When I brake the stearing wheel shudders similarly but for only a second, like a disc is warped or something. My main issue is this. Because I travel long distance a lot I notice this. From 70 mph to 90 mph the car vibrates constantly and passengers notice it, and more importanly it drives me CRAZY!! I have had the wheels balanced many times at different places and I have the same problems. Alignment is not the issue either. BMW says my control arm bushings are worn down or something, but they also tell me this would not fix any of my problems except the shuddering of the steering wheel when on the brakes. I don't know what to do now. Do you think inflation over 32psi would cause vibration at highway speeds?

[alpac]

Originally Posted by mrcohlmia

I don't know if anyone will look at this thread again, but I am having serious vibration issues. I have had my replica 20's with michelin diamaris tires for about a year now. When I first got them I did not notice any vibration, but my problems as of late have been many. At 55 mph the steering wheel shakes visibly, like the front wheels are moving from side to side or something. Outside of that speed that does not occur. When I brake the stearing wheel shudders similarly but for only a second, like a disc is warped or something. My main issue is this. Because I travel long distance a lot I notice this. From 70 mph to 90 mph the car vibrates constantly and passengers notice it, and more importanly it drives me CRAZY!! I have had the wheels balanced many times at different places and I have the same problems. Alignment is not the issue either. BMW says my control arm bushings are worn down or something, but they also tell me this would not fix any of my problems except the shuddering of the steering wheel when on the brakes. I don't know what to do now. Do you think inflation over 32psi would cause vibration at highway speeds?

How many miles on your X and also how many miles do you have on the tires? The tires could be cupped. That happened to me on my X, slight vibration in the steering disappeared only after having replaced the front tires, although they did not look that bad at all. A bad tie rod can also generate vibration in the steering.

[mrcohlmia]

The X is a 2001 4.4 with 106,000 miles. The tires have about 6000 miles on them.

[noncom23]

Any vibration w/braking? Might be warped rotors also.

[alpac]

Originally Posted by mrcohlmia

The X is a 2001 4.4 with 106,000 miles. The tires have about 6000 miles on them.

I would start by replacing the control arms/ball joints as they are worn and check the tie rods. I would not be surprised if they were worn too at that mileage except if they have been changed already. Get the rotors checked too. All of this may have an effect and until you are sure you have a front axle and steering components in good condition you cannot get to any conclusion. My opinion anyway.

[mrcohlmia]

I decreased my tire pressures this morning to 32 front 33 rear. I have the 275/40 R 20 on front and 315/35 R20 in back. This helped a little bit, the vibrations aren't as harsh, but they are still there. The last time I had my car serviced, BMW told me the control arm bushings or cushing needed to be replaced but that that would not fix my highway vibrations only my steering wheel shudder while on the brakes. I might just take the ol' car back and tell them to look at all the suspension for problems. I appreiate all your help. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated. An X is too slick to vibrate all the way down the road .

[motordavid]

mrcohlmia,
It could be bushings, tie rods, etc., but before you leap into that dlr's
arms and his "diagnosis", I track down a shop with a Hunter Road Force
wheel balance machine, a tech that knows what he's doing and cough
up the $50 for a full balance job on your set. Imo, after one
"parts replaces themselves" to death, it may come down to simple tire wear
that makes the orig. balance not "in effect". Worth a try, imo.
My 25Cts worth...
GL,mD

[mrcohlmia]

Thanks guys. I am pretty confident in the tire shop I use. They don't have the hunter road force but they do have a balancer that has been discussed on x5world. The guys at bmw said they would replace the control arm bushings for 500 and that that would fix my shuddering steering wheel when braking. As far as the highway vibrations.. I have no idea. I thought when I brought all the pressures back to 32 psi this morning that my vibration problems would be solved. Unfortunately, they are not. This car is getting awfully expensive though.