Shimmy....if you have not already experienced this, brace yourself

[ssmann]

Friends,Whilst the E38 is a wonderous creature of pleasure....it also is a great headache when it comes to reasons for steering shimmy and slight body vibrationHere's an article that may help diagnose the problemshttp://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/E38_Shimmy.htm

 

[wan520i]

Let's first get rid of the wheel-wobble that isn't shimmy. If you get a wheel-wobble that really feels as if the wheel is coming loose and gets worse when the brakes are used then the first thing to suspect is a sticky brake calliper. The difference between shimmy and the wobble caused by a sticking brake calliper is that latter causes a massive wobble, the steering wheel is difficult to keep hold of and the wobble keeps going when you slow down, almost to a standstill.

Yes, I'm still having this symptom exactly as described.

In stages, I have changed:
1. Custom made new hub-centric rings (very tight fit onto rims, very difficult to remove rims).
2. New lower arm,
3. New ATE front disc & jurid pads(disc size 302 x 28mm)
4. centre rod & idler arm,
5. new TRW upper arm with new bushing,
6. new febi rear disc & textar pads.

Almost give up to trouble shoot this, sigh...,

I plan:
1. to service/overhaul my front caliper, do I need the repair kits?
2. inspect hub-centric rings, could it be out of round shape or too tight?
3. try to borrow someone rims for testing..hehe..any kind souls out there?

Any comment guys?

 

[bmw7833]

Not only e38. Shimmy problem also famous to e39.

I just solve mine by:
1. Changed the D bushes
2. Changed the arm bushes
3. Changed the tie rod

Problem only totally solved after:
4. Changed the front new tyres, i am tired with used tyres now.

 

[ssmann]

Guys, this shimmy thing not easy and a tedious and expensive process to cure......

Wan520i, you seem to have done alot already.....r u using a front strut??? If so what strut?? Weak struts can also cause this problem......do u onli get it when braking or all at all speeds of the vehicle???

BMW7833, I agree, dont waste time on used tyres. It is better to buy cheapo new tyres then use 2nd hand. The sheer weight of the 38 and 39 will cause the shimmies to be more apparent

 

[wan520i]

ssman,

My car vibrate terriblly during braking, especially down hill at speed around 100km/h down to 60km/h.

It also vibrates during cruising around 80km/h to 100km/h.

Yes, I use front strut bar, not sure what brand is it, will try to take it out for testing.

My tires are kumho KU31, bought it new, but my car also vibrates before I changed to Kumho.

This "sickness" is with me for long long time already la..sigh..I'm like immune to it liao.., help me please!!

 

[ssmann]

Bro...try removing strut bar first, step by step. This seems like body vibration bro and not directly linked to wheels alone......hmmmm......let me research more and revert...

Another thing is, in my personal experience I would recommend you only use ori BMW rotor and pads for front. I am concerned that you may have a driveshaft problem......

 

[morpheus5039]

Yes, I'm still having this symptom exactly as described.

In stages, I have changed:
1. Custom made new hub-centric rings (very tight fit onto rims, very difficult to remove rims).
2. New lower arm,
3. New ATE front disc & jurid pads(disc size 302 x 28mm)
4. centre rod & idler arm,
5. new TRW upper arm with new bushing,
6. new febi rear disc & textar pads.

Almost give up to trouble shoot this, sigh...,

I plan:
1. to service/overhaul my front caliper, do I need the repair kits?
2. inspect hub-centric rings, could it be out of round shape or too tight?
3. try to borrow someone rims for testing..hehe..any kind souls out there?

Any comment guys?

bro u can buy repair kit to rebuild the caliper, it consists of rubber o-rings, did mine before, not expensive.

 

[JFT63]

ssman,

My car vibrate terriblly during braking, especially down hill at speed around 100km/h down to 60km/h.

It also vibrates during cruising around 80km/h to 100km/h.

Yes, I use front strut bar, not sure what brand is it, will try to take it out for testing.

My tires are kumho KU31, bought it new, but my car also vibrates before I changed to Kumho.

This "sickness" is with me for long long time already la..sigh..I'm like immune to it liao.., help me please!!

Sorry I chip in bro..Did skim up my e39 front rotor discs due to vibration when braking..feeling good now..as for your vibration while cruising, i experienced before with my e34..the culprits were the rear tyres..hope it helps..happy hunting

 

[ssmann]

Sorry I chip in bro..Did skim up my e39 front rotor discs due to vibration when braking..feeling good now..as for your vibration while cruising, i experienced before with my e34..the culprits were the rear tyres..hope it helps..happy hunting

Thanks. Rear tyres worn or severely out of balance can lead to body vibration.....

 

[wan520i]

Bro...try removing strut bar first, step by step. This seems like body vibration bro and not directly linked to wheels alone......hmmmm......let me research more and revert...

Another thing is, in my personal experience I would recommend you only use ori BMW rotor and pads for front. I am concerned that you may have a driveshaft problem......
​

Removed the strut bar.., not luck la! Could you please elaborate "driveshaft problem".

bro u can buy repair kit to rebuild the caliper, it consists of rubber o-rings, did mine before, not expensive.

This is what I plan to do next. In fact, I did serviced/overhauled/changed the o-rings and rubber cover (item #13)for the front calipers repair kits years before. I think is quite expensive if you were to change the guiding bolts & guide bush (item #8 & #14). http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD62&mospid=47376&btnr=34_0443&hg=34&fg=05

Sorry I chip in bro..Did skim up my e39 front rotor discs due to vibration when braking..feeling good now..as for your vibration while cruising, i experienced before with my e34..the culprits were the rear tyres..hope it helps..happy hunting

Gone through this skimming, didn't help, then changed 4 new disc..., also didn't help...sigh.

Rear tyres worn or severely out of balance can lead to body vibration..

Changed all four brand new tires (Kumho KU31)..also vibrate la..

 

[JFT63]

Then it could be your longshaft aka propeller, also check the propeller mounting..remembered when my mech changed the worn out or broken mounting bush..thats all i can remember..quite cheap around rm180..i feel for u mate...good luck:top:

 

[moots]

Yes, I'm still having this symptom exactly as described.

In stages, I have changed:
1. Custom made new hub-centric rings (very tight fit onto rims, very difficult to remove rims).
2. New lower arm,
3. New ATE front disc & jurid pads(disc size 302 x 28mm)
4. centre rod & idler arm,
5. new TRW upper arm with new bushing,
6. new febi rear disc & textar pads.

Almost give up to trouble shoot this, sigh...,

I plan:
1. to service/overhaul my front caliper, do I need the repair kits?
2. inspect hub-centric rings, could it be out of round shape or too tight?
3. try to borrow someone rims for testing..hehe..any kind souls out there?

Any comment guys?

howdy wan,what size wheels are you using?the most the e34s are comfortable with are 17 inchers.bigger wheels will induce shimmies and tramlining.you have changed most of the parts that are associated with wheel shimmy.1 fact,when you replace the upper and lower arms,you must tighten the arms (bushing side) with the car on terra firma and NOT whilst the wheels are dangling on a hoist or floor jacks.

i osso had vibes during braking on my e34 and it turned out to be 1 rear disc that was warped but u changed yrs oledi so that canot be it.

i do not think it's your caliper coz if it's sticking then it will overheat your discs and cause disc warp which will exaggerate into a shimmy under braking.all discs you have replaced so this cud not be it.

your hub rings are also suspect.when i fixed the e39 m5 17" replicas to my e34 it wobbled like hell straight out of the shop.the hubcentric rings eliminated all that.

wanna test fit my rims onto yours to eliminate the wheels as the probable cause........?hey....what are forummers for....gimme a call....09-3181060

don't give up bro......the e34 is a blast to drive and thrash around corners.....i prefer it to the e39 but the e39 comfort and refinement.....huh....x boleh challenge ooooooo

 

[wan520i]

Then it could be your longshaft aka propeller, also check the propeller mounting..remembered when my mech changed the worn out or broken mounting bush..thats all i can remember..quite cheap around rm180..i feel for u mate...good luck:top:

Ya, longshaft/propeller is also on my suspect list. I did changed the center mount/bearing during trouble shoot few months ago..., no luck. Will look into longshaft one day. Thanks.

howdy wan,what size wheels are you using?the most the e34s are comfortable with are 17 inchers.bigger wheels will induce shimmies and tramlining.you have changed most of the parts that are associated with wheel shimmy.1 fact,when you replace the upper and lower arms,you must tighten the arms (bushing side) with the car on terra firma and NOT whilst the wheels are dangling on a hoist or floor jacks

Bro moot, really appreciated your offer.., I am using 17' BBS RC rims with 235/45/17 rubbers. Yes, I'm aware of the arm bush tightening procedure, I think it was tighten in such way by my mechanic. I did solved shimmy many years back by changing rear disc, but not this time. Eh, can I take back the front brake that sold to you? hehe, siku tak buruk punya la.., the phone no you gave is 09? you are based in east coast? where got cargo plane here la??

Looking at the article as the link posted by ssman, it desrcibe exactly the problem that I'm having.

Here to summarize my shimmy problems:

1. When cruising at highway around 80 - 100 km/h, the car/steering wheel vibrates lightly, which I can still tolerate.
2. When depress brake pedal lightly (not hard/full depress) from 100km/h, the car slow down with more obvious vibrates & the steering wheel shake like hell.

Possible culprits:
- braking system? master cylinder? (when press purging brake oil, I noticed the force/pressure of oil came out are not balance, I meant 1 side at front and another side at rear is weaker, is it normal?)
- brake calipers? front or rear?
- longshaft?
- rims?
- cheap Kumho tires?
- power steering box?
- what else? oh man, i hate this list.

 

[lozo]

i've eliminated a shimmy by replacing new hubcentric rings. funny..the old rings are the culprit

 

[ssmann]

Ya, longshaft/propeller is also on my suspect list. I did changed the center mount/bearing during trouble shoot few months ago..., no luck. Will look into longshaft one day. Thanks.

Here to summarize my shimmy problems:

1. When cruising at highway around 80 - 100 km/h, the car/steering wheel vibrates lightly, which I can still tolerate.
2. When depress brake pedal lightly (not hard/full depress) from 100km/h, the car slow down with more obvious vibrates & the steering wheel shake like hell.

Possible culprits:
- braking system? master cylinder? (when press purging brake oil, I noticed the force/pressure of oil came out are not balance, I meant 1 side at front and another side at rear is weaker, is it normal?)
- brake calipers? front or rear?
- longshaft?
- rims?
- cheap Kumho tires?
- power steering box?
- what else? oh man, i hate this list.

Bro....try this order since you have already replaced most parts: -

1. Remove strut bar
2. Bleed brakes - i.e. remove current fluid and clear any bubbles. Then refluid
3. Service calipers
4. Check long shaft and drive shaft
5. Your hubcentric rings will give you a constant problem and not one based purely on speed
6. Tires can be a culprit, but so long as they are properly mounted onto the rim and balanced and that you dont have a bent rim, this prob should not occur

Try 1 - 4, they are cheap fix

 

[moots]

wan.........alamaks....sorry lah i missed the number 1 between the numbers zero and nine.......

still in KLIA la.......

caliper sold with the car but if you want the solid caliper and disc removed from my e34 m20b20 got lar.....

 

[andrewk]

I got the shimmies after changing my front tires.... no issues with the old ones...

It only happens at low speeds (below 60 - 70kmh). Doesn't happen during braking, so its not the problem listed in the link.

I think de fella dunno how to do alignment.... bugger.... Am going to Lim tayar TTDI (mebbe today lunch) to get it solved....

 

[andrewk]

Problem solved. Caused by bad alignment and broken centre hub ring. Also, 3 rims were bent, so had to get them refurbished. All done at Lim Tayar TTDI.

 

[bmw7833]

Problem solved. Caused by bad alignment and broken centre hub ring. Also, 3 rims were bent, so had to get them refurbished. All done at Lim Tayar TTDI.

They able to make the bent rims round back?

 

[andrewk]

They able to make the bent rims round back?

The rims are not 'dented' in that sense. It is still round visually but kinda misaligned... twisted of sort. Apparently they can.... either that or I just got conned RM360....