Problem with my e34 !! Help!

[Ken E.]

Addressed to all the sifus (pretenders included )Been having a problem with my steering shuddering at 90km/h, not lower not higher so figured must be balancing so did it. Noticed improvement but not altogether solved.This morning sure got a shock! Was travelling from Bangsar heading to Pantai and was on Jln Bangsar and something happened just about the turn-off before entrance to the NPE. (r u guys with me?)Anyway as you know that stretch of road has a tremendous amount of manholes etc. and with my problem mentioned above have always felt uncomfortable using this stretch. I was travelling at about 80 & as I drove over those farking manholes, my steering started to shake violently like never b4! So violently that I had the feeling that even my wheels were gonna fly off!! So I slowed down and the shake died down. Spoke to a friend and he mentioned that it was probably due to the lower arm bushes. Took it to my regular mech. but his workshop was filled-up with no way to jack the car up. Arranged for tomorrow morning.Anyone out there with the same experience? Appreciate the feedback guys! k: Cheers!

 

[535i]

Originally posted by Ken E.@Aug 19 2005, 04:18 AM
Addressed to all the sifus (pretenders included )

Been having a problem with my steering shuddering at 90km/h, not lower not higher so figured must be balancing so did it. Noticed improvement but not altogether solved.

This morning sure got a shock! Was travelling from Bangsar heading to Pantai and was on Jln Bangsar and something happened just about the turn-off before entrance to the NPE. (r u guys with me?)

Anyway as you know that stretch of road has a tremendous amount of manholes etc. and with my problem mentioned above have always felt uncomfortable using this stretch.
I was travelling at about 80 & as I drove over those farking manholes, my steering started to shake violently like never b4! So violently that I had the feeling that even my wheels were gonna fly off!! So I slowed down and the shake died down. Spoke to a friend and he mentioned that it was probably due to the lower arm bushes. Took it to my regular mech. but his workshop was filled-up with no way to jack the car up. Arranged for tomorrow morning.
Anyone out there with the same experience?
Appreciate the feedback guys! k:
Cheers!

I had similar problem BUT mine was due to the steering box control sensor located at passenger side. The size of a ciggie box. Am not sure whether u have that or not ..

Other E34 sifus ??

 

[ALBundy]

Yeah, that's pretty normal. I am having the exact problem. Going to replace it tomorrow. At the mean time, drive below or above 90 hehe

 

[535i]

While you are at it .. pls check

1) Suspension + mounting
2) Bearings
3) Tie-rods
3) Control arm bushings
4) Cross member
5) Anti-roll bushing
6) ball-joint ...

basically, EVERYTHING that hold ur tires .. engine mounting included.

Why ? Because these things are inter-related. I had my tie-rod change a few days late and * sigh * it has affected other bushings ...

No harm checking - to give u that peace of mind ...

 

[Iqlima]

trust arm

The one look like " ? "

 

[ALBundy]

Thrust arm? Well so far, it seems the lower arm is the culprit. If having replaced that and problem still persists then will change the thrust arm

 

[Iqlima]

Originally posted by 535i@Aug 19 2005, 04:23 AM


I had similar problem BUT mine was due to the steering box control sensor located at passenger side. The size of a ciggie box. Am not sure whether u have that or not ..

was the connector yellow color , it a servotronic

 

[Iqlima]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Aug 19 2005, 04:35 AM
Thrust arm? Well so far, it seems the lower arm is the culprit. If having replaced that and problem still persists then will change the thrust arm

it the one hold weight at front (while brake) and the most quickest wear out especially here with a lot hole and stop brake ..

 

[bimmerman]

Yup, my car would shake violently at about 90kph. Not only the steering but the entire front end of the car would shake so bad it would border on dangerous! Then I changed my lower arms and the violent shaking went away. Well almost except for a very slight steering wheel vibration at about 90kph and would disappear by 100kph. Solved!

Then i went and lowered the car and the vibes came back. The car would vibrate notacibly at 95kph to 100kph. It's still there but it's not a violent tremor like before. And this one I have not solved. Could be the rims, could be tires.

So if your car vibrates violently you probably need to change the lower arms. But there are a few things involved that can cause your car to vibrate and they include using lug centric rims without conical spacers on your E34 as your E34 is of a hub centric design. So obviously my car had bad lower arms and there's still something else causing some vibes.

 

[535i]

Originally posted by Iqlima+Aug 19 2005, 04:35 AM-->QUOTE (Iqlima @ Aug 19 2005, 04:35 AM)

 

[ALBundy]

I thought servotronic only available for the 530 and 540i models?? Eh 535i what else is under the HOOD! :nyehehe:

 

[Ken E.]

Lotsa thanks guys for all your sharing!

Will check it out tomorrow morning and post the eventual remedy if/when I have it!!

Have a great weekend! :yahoo:

 

[bazet]

Mine solved 80%...after

changed the brake disc
brake pad
changed center tie rod
balancing the wheelchanged to new front tires

and my e34 still vibrate at 90kph..only softer....

 

[pussy]

with the common problem of the famous e34 'vibrator'... every bush you change, will effect the rest..even a uneven tyre !!

to settle it.. change all the bushes and links.. but.. it will come back after 12months..

remember.. the e34 is a heavy car and there is 14 nos of ball joints under the front suspension..

 

[Iqlima]

Originally posted by Ken E.@Aug 19 2005, 06:15 AM
Lotsa thanks guys for all your sharing!

Will check it out tomorrow morning and post the eventual remedy if/when I have it!!

Have a great weekend! :yahoo:

if turn out thrust arm, make sure they tighten it while load apply on it, mean take out the jack .

 

[E34EuroTouring]

Most probably cause of that infamous shimmy is that your front wheels are out of balance, or bent due to manhole impact. You would be surprised how "soft" some alloy rims are, especially 17 or 18 inch sizes.

Normally, I would swap the back wheels to the front. If you are running staggered tires, liao, need tire shop to refit tires. But first get the shop to do a proper wheel balance. Take a look at the guy doing it and it *must* get to 000 complete balance. Take a look at the rim condition as the wheel spins on the balancer machine. If the rims is bent, best to put these at the back. Put the *best* round and well balanced rim in front.

If you only get the vibes when you brake, after high-speed, then likely brake pads worn badly or thrust-arm bushes worn. A lot of people change the suspension unnecessarily and yet the shimmy is still there. For non-standard rims using hubcentric rings will help but may not cure it if the tire is out of balance.. Those lead weights stuck in the wheels do fall off over time and this would likely cause the inital vibe.

535i servotronic on 535i ?. Really interesting, as 540i is supposed to have them and , of course the E32 seven series. Maybe it was a previous owner retro-fit extra.

 

[ALBundy]

Replaced both thrust arm and lower arm and voila, problem solved. Looking at both the arms, the culprit was the thrust arm bush, which I had replaced a year ago! Decided to change the lower arm as well as I have noticed some loose joints especially when driving over some kerbs. Now, not only the dreaded vibration is gone, the steering feel has improved.

Total Damage=RM650 (parts sendiri beli) For those who intend to save some moolah, replace the thrust arm bush and if possible get the heavy duty ones (7 series or M5 ones)

Rgds

 

[Iqlima]

welcome to smooth E34 and E32 !

 

[pussy]

Originally posted by Iqlima@Aug 22 2005, 12:16 PM
welcome to smooth E34 and E32 !

bro .. only for 1 year.. :blink: then change again..

 

[feisaldzul]

worth checking yr brake discs as well...whether its warped