Vibration.....Argh

[lhordmclain]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Just FYI there are reinforced "protection package" bushings from BMW now which should last longer than the Meyle HD I would think, based on the reinforcement design.

That is an interesting find! So many choices now: Meyle HD, Powerflex and now with the reinforced protection package.

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Suspension Bushings - 31129069820 - Protection Package Front Control Arm Bushings - Pair - ES#49337

[g300d]

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear how those protection package bushings are in terms of comfort, performance, and lifespan.

OP, the wishbone bushings can cause this as well. I had a shaking crop up when braking at highway speeds, the shake gets worse the harder you brake.

I had done outer axle boots previously and went back in to check. Wishbone bolts were not fully tightened so I tightened those and it removed 80% of the vibration. Now I was looking to remove the remaining vibration.

My tension strut bushings had already been replaced previously (<15,000 miles ago) with Meyle HD's, and they were still intact, so I looked at the wishbone bushings. They were not torn yet, but they looked like this:



So I decided to replace them with Lemforder arm assemblies.

Fixed the shaking, and besides that, I was surprised at the diference in smoothness now. It returned some of that syrupy smooth rolling feel a good european car has. I did not expect that changing out this relatively intact bushing would measurably improve driving dynamics to that extent.

I recommend you bite the bullet and do everything now...Tension strut bushings and ball joints and wishbone assemblies.

[Ricky Bobby]

^i recommend as well. The bushings have wear even though it's not visible. My front end is right as new now

[four.8is]

^RB, I'm looking to get done my front end suspension as well.Did you buy them all at once or did it progressively?..Im kind of a knob at knowing what each suspension part is called and what it does but I'd like to get done everything at once rather than one at a time...should I buy everything separately rather than a kit?
I want something better like lemforder or genuine bmw
OP sorry for the thread hijack

[LVP]

Very interesting. I agree, that doesn't look like it needs replacing or would cause the shaking. I'll assess mine when I get it up on the hoist.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by four.8is

^RB, I'm looking to get done my front end suspension as well.Did you buy them all at once or did it progressively?..Im kind of a knob at knowing what each suspension part is called and what it does but I'd like to get done everything at once rather than one at a time...should I buy everything separately rather than a kit?
I want something better like lemforder or genuine bmw
OP sorry for the thread hijack

Considering you need the alignment after doing most of these suspension pieces I'd do it in a round. Also, the tie rod adjusters are 90% of the time seized at this age anyway and the shop won't be able to set toe without it.

To refresh the front suspension, I'd go with the following as required:

-Thrust arms/tension struts OR new bushings
-Ball joints for the other end of the thrust arms
-Wishbone control arms
-Tie rods

Optional but recommended due to popular wear:

-Front sway bar links

If it were me and I could do it again, I'd just order this kit, install everything, and align it once, then a year later maybe tackle the rear items.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/#/products/b...x5cakit0406-my

NOTE: The Thrust arms, Tie Rods, and Sway Bar Links in the kit are the Meyle HD version, which is what you want for those items if going with Meyle, I have the thrust arms and tie rods as HD on my X5 and no issues, I also have no issues with Meyle as a brand, also have the HD subframe bushings in the rear now. The kit looks priced right and comes with new hardware as I see in the pic.

FCP customer service is phenomenal btw. What (if anything) has been replaced on your X in the front suspension so far? They also sell a 6 piece set which doesn't have the sway links or tie rods for $430 shipped.

[g300d]

Originally Posted by LVP

Very interesting. I agree, that doesn't look like it needs replacing or would cause the shaking. I'll assess mine when I get it up on the hoist.

I know right? In a Japanese car, or even in a Mercedes, I wouldnt give these a second glance.

I couldnt make the pictured bushings flex at all. When I removed the wishbones, I inserted a big screwdriver through the mounting hole and pried in all directions. No play.

But the bushing were undoubtably causing the vibration because when I replaced the arm, it was gone completely.

I'm of the opinion now that BMW's in general are very sensitive to detrioration of the bushings that you wouldnt notice in Japanese cars in general or even Mercedes'. I mean, you have these wishbone bushings causing vibration even though they passed a physical and visual inspection as still serviceable. The tension strut bushings do this as well. The rear suspension upper arms bushings cause noticeable changes in rear camber and toe as they settle into place and deflect.

Now I want to replace everything in my car that even looks at me wrong lol!

[g300d]

The FCP link shows the right wishbone almost $40 cheaper than the left. Weird.

Another option to RB's link is to go all Lemforder. All the suspension parts I replaced were marked BMW/Lemforder, they seem to make the entire E53 suspension lol.

Personally I would go uprated parts for the tension strut bushing as it seems to have a shorter lifespan than the rest of the parts. I went Meyle HD for mine, another is the earlier linked Protection Package bushings.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Considering you need the alignment after doing most of these suspension pieces I'd do it in a round. Also, the tie rod adjusters are 90% of the time seized at this age anyway and the shop won't be able to set toe without it.

To refresh the front suspension, I'd go with the following as required:

-Thrust arms/tension struts OR new bushings
-Ball joints for the other end of the thrust arms
-Wishbone control arms
-Tie rods

Optional but recommended due to popular wear:

-Front sway bar links

If it were me and I could do it again, I'd just order this kit, install everything, and align it once, then a year later maybe tackle the rear items.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/#/products/b...x5cakit0406-my

NOTE: The Thrust arms, Tie Rods, and Sway Bar Links in the kit are the Meyle HD version, which is what you want for those items if going with Meyle, I have the thrust arms and tie rods as HD on my X5 and no issues, I also have no issues with Meyle as a brand, also have the HD subframe bushings in the rear now. The kit looks priced right and comes with new hardware as I see in the pic.

FCP customer service is phenomenal btw. What (if anything) has been replaced on your X in the front suspension so far? They also sell a 6 piece set which doesn't have the sway links or tie rods for $430 shipped.

I agree, once and done.

[mikes123]

Just wanted to update this thread after my mechanic looked at it this weekend when I was having him change my transmission fluid. He believes the issue has something to do with he brakes, either the caliper is sticking or the new rotors I have are not true. Couple reasons for this after he took it for a test drive; it seems the issue gets worse the more you drive it (vibration is not as bad when it's cold), he also noted that if you press the brake firmly the vibration isn't as bad, and after inspecting the rotors, the driver's rotor on the inside looked to have uneven wear (I'll try to take a picture and post it).

Now I have just replaced the rotors with Stoptech cross drilled (normally would have just gotten blanks but the PO had cross drilled ones, and my rears appeared ok so I just matched the front). Also replaced the pads with EBC red stuff. Before I was getting bad vibration under hard braking typical of a warped rotor. That has gone away. Also, I didn't fell like the pistons were seized when I pushed then in with a c clamp and metal plate to make room for the new pads, but I guess that doesn't mean they still aren't sticking. I had vibration issues before I changed out all these parts (engine bracket, motor mounts, axles), but I the more I think about it, this vibration is different than it was before, so maybe the caliper is sticking more now with the new rotors and pads (or possibly the rotors are faulty).

After searching on here last night, I did buy an IR thermometer on Amazon last night and when it comes in I will go drive it and check the temp and see if one rotor is getting hotter than the other.

I know you can rebuild the calipers, but has anyone had luck with the calipers from BavAuto? That's the only place I could find calipers for the 4.8is and the price is very good. BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport


I still will probably change my thrust arms for good measure.