Steering Wheel Shake

[chas]

Hi All,
I've got a 2003 X5 3.0 that started getting a shake from the steering wheel. It feels like a wheel is badly out of balance but it's not because it ocurrs occasionally. It starts with a small shake and then gets more intense. It's not speed sensitive either, its happened around town or on the highway. Before I take it in to have it looked at, I'd like to know what it is. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help,
Chas

[lo_jack]

If you are confident on the wheel balancing (it is a cheap fix), then have the alignment checked. If it is out of alignment, that could point to a suspension part that needs to be replaced. It sounds like a ball joint or a tie rod is seriously out of whack but hunting down suspension gremlins is a pain, because it is all related.

Start with easy stuff like the balance, just to rule it out, and work up from there. The shop is probably going to do the same thing, so you might save yourself some time - if they trust you.

Oh, how are the tires on the front wheels wearing?

[Weasel]

What this usually is is a shake caused by balance or something else that is accentuated by front thrust arm bushings being worn, having excessive slack. Odds are they will shoot you a price for wheels balanced and bushings replaced.

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by lo_jack

If you are confident on the wheel balancing (it is a cheap fix), then have the alignment checked. If it is out of alignment, that could point to a suspension part that needs to be replaced. It sounds like a ball joint or a tie rod is seriously out of whack but hunting down suspension gremlins is a pain, because it is all related.

Start with easy stuff like the balance, just to rule it out, and work up from there. The shop is probably going to do the same thing, so you might save yourself some time - if they trust you.

Oh, how are the tires on the front wheels wearing?

out of alignment shouldn't contribute the steering wheel vibration. if the wheels are properly balanced, I would check and replace bad suspension components first(things to check are thrust arm bushing, ball joint, and lower control arm). then get an alignment after it's resolved.

[enoteware]

Could be warped rotors too... Does it happen at certain speeds? When braking?

[Satheesh.net]

Just a small note; have you checked your brake pads? Are they worn out and needs to be replaced?

[Bartek]

I have this problrm before it was brakes at front

[travez151]

im preety sure its you calliper

[chas]

Thanks for all of the great responses, the problem does not happen when I brake, just when I'm going down the road. That's why I cannot tie it to an event like braking or going over a pot hole. Also, braking is smooth so rotors are not warped. If the problem were unbalanced tires, it would do it constantly or at a certain speed and not just at random. I think that it has to due with a worn suspension component(s) such as tie rods, bushings or ball joints.

Thanks,
Chas

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by flyingmachine

out of alignment shouldn't contribute the steering wheel vibration. if the wheels are properly balanced, I would check and replace bad suspension components first(things to check are thrust arm bushing, ball joint, and lower control arm). then get an alignment after it's resolved.

Oy, I know that; but if it is out of alignment, there could be something worn out that is contributing to shake. There are about two dozen wear parts in the front..I was just trying to narrow them down. If the alignment is good and the tires are good, then it is most likely something else.