Shimmy.....Rotor, Axle, Control Arm, Other..?

[xRide]

I am getting a Shimmy that you can hear and feel thorough he steering wheel. Braking feel true and smooth.

I just replaced front rotors and pads in June. I just got an alignment and balancing done recently at Pepboys.

Bad wheel bearing?

Bad control Arm?

Bad rotors?

Needs new alignment and balancing?

Needs new tires?

????

[14thbmw]

Add bent rim to the list.

[Ricky Bobby]

Probably bad balancing from pep boys. Get it done on a roadforce hunter machine.

Do you have factory wheels or aftermarket?

Are you sure you bedded in your brakes properly?

It's not a wheel bearing as mine only made an atrocious humming sound above 40 mph

[DillonInCO]

I had tires mounted at Pep Boys because they were open late. One tire, the bead didn't seat properly, it went flat as soon as I hit a bump. Never going back

Does the shimmy happen at all speeds? Or only at certain speeds? Does it get worse with increased speed?

Do you hear any unusual noises (aside from the noise from the shimmy)? Especially when turning or going over bumps?

If no noises, or if you don't feel the steering wheel move a lot when you go over bumps, it's unlikely to be a control arm or other suspension link. And if you don't feel the shimmy get worse (harder) when you brake, it's unlikely to be the tires, because braking---transitioning the weight to the front tires---would almost certainly cause that if it were the tires.

[xRide]

Ricky- they are factory 29s and the brakes were bedded properly. I don't get any vibration when braking. No shimmy at all.

Dillon- no unusual noise and it happens at all speeds. Does not happen when I brake.

[Ricky Bobby]

Its your balancing from Pep Boys.

Get it done on a Roadforce Machine and you should have printout of the specs.



Or your bent a rim somewhere on the Belt Parkway in Strong Island.

[Bmwtvboy]

Interesting - I had this similar problem and it turned out to be inner CV's Easy to check, just see if you can wiggle the front axle shaft, if there is play you may need to replace. I had notorius vibes and finally got the right diagnosis. NOW, what to replace both front axle shafts with? OEM BMW @695 each or GKOLodno 295. each or Bav Auto aftermarket Chinese made @99. each?

[DillonInCO]

Yeah couldn't hurt to re-balance, that's a cheap fix, and if it's not that, then at least you have the peace of mind that they are balanced. A lot of shops will even let you watch when the wheel is on the balancer, if you ask. If it's the balancing that's causing the vibration, it will be obvious even to an untrained eye.

Originally Posted by Bmwtvboy

Interesting - I had this similar problem and it turned out to be inner CV's Easy to check, just see if you can wiggle the front axle shaft, if there is play you may need to replace. I had notorius vibes and finally got the right diagnosis. NOW, what to replace both front axle shafts with? OEM BMW @695 each or GKOLodno 295. each or Bav Auto aftermarket Chinese made @99. each?

That was actually going to be my next suggestion, since the vibration doesn't get worse with braking: something bent or broken in the front driveline. BUT anything like that usually does make a clunking or clicking noise. GKN is an OEM supplier for BMW, never used them so I'm not the best to comment on this, but they're highly rated and probably the exact same part you'll get from BMW. Whatever you do, I would NOT go with the cheap Chinese crap, it's cheap for a reason! I'd sooner consider having your axle rebuilt if you're strapped for cash.

[xRide]

I am going to have the balancing done. I called up a few places and wow....$25 per wheel minimum. I also noticed that pretty much all dealership has this machine....as in Toyota, Jag, BMW, Merc, Volvo, VW. They all have it.

[Kristophe]

I had front shimmy even after I did my brakes and eventually replaced a bad front wheel bearing and CV axel and then didn't go away when I replaced my thrust arm bushings. When I replaced both control arms THAT made all the difference.