Need help in wheel vibration

[george1202]

I have an 03 3.0 with 19 inch Y spoke wheels and I'm experiencing vibrations on speeds of 60 to 70 mph. I already brought it to a shop with the Hunter GSP9700 and it imporved a bit but still with vibration. They said tire wear was evident. I measure tread depth in the middle treads and using a penny, it still covered Lincoln's hair and forehead. The side treads however showed the top of Lincoln's hair. I have the following questions as a newbie:
1) Do you guys think I need to replace my Michelin's?
2) Will an alignment solve this vibration issue?
3) Does anybody have the alignment specs for an 03 E53?
Thanks

[noncom23]

Any chance you have a bent wheel?

[Boston X5 4.4]

Try another shop first...


I had a very similar problem. As soon as I put on my 17" winters I noticed a vibration at 55-65 that went away above and below these speeds. All was well with my 19" summer set up the morning of the switch so I knew it was tire/wheel/balance related. The shop that put on the 17's balanced them using a hunter before mounting.

After I noticed the problem, the first thing I did was to go to another tire shop and had them checked and all four wheels were out of balance. No problems since then.....I did get the original tire shop to refund my mounting and balancing money and reimburse me for the work at the second shop.

If balancing/tire pressure isn't the problem then I would look at control arms and/or sway links and then alignment.

[george1202]

Thanks Guys. I appreciate the input. I'll take it to another shop in VA w/ a HUnter to have it rebalanced. Can they detect a bent wheel as well?

[NINCHS]

Originally Posted by george1202

Thanks Guys. I appreciate the input. I'll take it to another shop in VA w/ a HUnter to have it rebalanced. Can they detect a bent wheel as well?

I assume your Indy can detect it. My BMW dealer found one on my 330ci.
PS it was cheaper for me to buy a used one on ebay than let the stealer send it out for refirb.

[george1202]

Great. I'm taking it to BMW of Fairfax on Monday for Warranty repair on the alternator, I guess while they're at it, I'll have them check the suspension parts as well.

[NINCHS]

Originally Posted by george1202

Great. I'm taking it to BMW of Fairfax on Monday for Warranty repair on the alternator, I guess while they're at it, I'll have them check the suspension parts as well.

I like that dealer. Bought my 330ci from them. But with any dealer just tell them you hit a pothole or something and have them figure it out. If you tell them that you think 3 things are wrong with it, it will end up being a lot more than 3 things. Basically if they think you are concerend about something, they know you are more willing to pay for it.

[[email protected]]

1. Buy a tread depth guage (really helps in determining rotation strategy)

2. Find a shop that can both a) perform Hi-Speed On-the-Car Wheel Balancing, and b) shave the tires.

Here is the place I used to go when I lived in Atlanta (http://www.butlertire.com/services.asp). Maybe there is a similar shop near you.


Gordon

[motordavid]

BeamER rec's against rotation on X5s...
one might get away with side to side.

Shaving is serious biz in the hands of even
the few shops that know how, imo. Not really
a practical street option.

My guess is regardless of the OP's remaining tire tread,
some tire wear situ combined with a so-so "balance" job,
has given him the 60+ mph wiggles.

I don't think alingment is any part of the issue...
A more careful balance should help even with uneven
tire wear.
BR,mD

[Hal88]

Have your mech put the X on a lift and shake the tire side to side,there should be no play when u shake it. I had bad vibration on mine and I did the balancing and aligment, it didn't help, once the truck was up on the lift it was really easy to see that the problem was the control arms with worn out bushings.