Shaky at 50 MPH

[Dieselfan]

Guys.
I have 19" new Non RF snow tires on OEM BMW wheels.
At 50 MPH I can hear front tires go thum thum thum and the steering wheel is shaky.

Do you think I should bring it back for tires balance or something else in my suspension is going?

TIA.

[what have i got into]

Just based on my experience, I would go get them rebalanced. I had new tires installed and drove around for a week with whacky shaking and vibrations. Took them back to another tire shop I know. The guy came out of the back and asked why I didn't get them balanced with the new tires. I said I did. He was like, no way, they aren't even close. They rebalanced them for free because I take my other car there and they have been perfectly smooth since.

[josiahg52]

What brand and model of tires? Other than that, re-balancing is a good first step.

[ard]

if light braking will 'trigger' this, you should consider the thrust arm bushings.

[FellowsheepTech]

In my E53 it was bad ball joints. A fresh rotate & balance always seemed to lessen it for a bit, but ball joints were bad & replacing them totally eliminated the issue.
Chris


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[Dieselfan]

Thank you for the responses.
I will have my tire re-balanced and take it from there. But deep down I have a bad feeling that some of my suspension parts are going.
There are three arms under there.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

- Control arms.
- Tension arms.
And
- Wish bones.
Replace all would be expensive. And all have bushing and ball joints.

I will check them all but you know how difficult they are unless the obvious like leaky and play.

if light braking will 'trigger' this, you should consider the thrust arm bushings.

Ard. I think you're on to something. I do feel a bit more pronounce vibration when brake is applied softly. So Ard, Thrust arms are the same as Tension arms correct?

In my E53 it was bad ball joints. A fresh rotate & balance always seemed to lessen it for a bit, but ball joints were bad & replacing them totally eliminated the issue.
Chris

Chris, thank you. Can you tell me which ball joints? Control? Tension or Wishbone?
TIA.

BTW, my front brakes are rubbing a little not to a point that it is hot to touch after driving but I can hear they squeak.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Dieselfan

Ard. I think you're on to something. I do feel a bit more pronounce vibration when brake is applied softly. So Ard, Thrust arms are the same as Tension arms correct?

.

Yes. The tension strut or lower control arm has a lower ball joint on one end, and the tension strut bushing on the other.

You CAN replace only the bushing, using a press to remove the old bush and push in a new one. Or just replace the whole arm.

Lemforder is the OEM as I recall, but check FCP euro to be sure.

BTW, the bush is filled w a silicone fluid, when this ruptures the fluid is gone. It will LOOK ok, but will shimmy

[Dieselfan]

Originally Posted by ard

Yes. The tension strut or lower control arm has a lower ball joint on one end, and the tension strut bushing on the other.

You CAN replace only the bushing, using a press to remove the old bush and push in a new one. Or just replace the whole arm.

Lemforder is the OEM as I recall, but check FCP euro to be sure.

BTW, the bush is filled w a silicone fluid, when this ruptures the fluid is gone. It will LOOK ok, but will shimmy

Ard, Thank you.
According to FCP both TRW and Lemforder are OEM.
I have done the bushes replacement before on my E39. It's manageable but not easy in place, maybe remove it from the car would be easier.
My dilemma is should I go with non liquid filled bushes? and who sells them? Or just put OEM control arm back in there and forget it for another 100K miles.

Knowing me I'll probably put OEM control arms back in there and probably do both sides at the same time.

[ard]

Then you might know the E70 bushes are an 'upgrade' on the E39. A true 'OE BMW hack'.


Definitely do both sides at the same time.


Id use OE/OEM, you get 60-100k, seems pretty good


Ive never done a bush replacement in-situ. Arm out, press out/in, reinstall. There are portable hand-held pneumatic presses that make it super easy.


Id probably do the whole arm at 100k



GL

[Dieselfan]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by ard

Then you might know the E70 bushes are an 'upgrade' on the E39. A true 'OE BMW hack'.

You're funny. But, you are right I've heard of this too.

Ive never done a bush replacement in-situ. Arm out, press out/in, reinstall. There are portable hand-held pneumatic presses that make it super easy.

Yeah not easy replacing the bush in place. I used everything I've got from my garage, Harbor Freight C-clamp to saw-zaw to acetylene torch.

Anyway, on my way home from work 30 miles highway, it acted up and kind of violent shake when lightly touch the brake. I then checked the brake and man it was hot to touch, especially the left front.

I will be busy today under the car, and hope my wheel bearing is okay due to the heat.

We shall find out. And once again thank your for you help.