Shaking while at freeway speeds

[stephenlc]

Right about 50 miles be hour the steering wheel begins to shack a little and the front suspension starts to shake. I have replaced the 2 tie rod ends and got my wheels balanced but that just seem to make it a little worse. I ordered the center tie-rod, well I didn't know their was a center one, hopefully that helps, but could it be anything else?

[Tiger]

Typically it is the thrust arms that needs to be replaced. Alot of topics on this one. M5 bushing is the best and longest lasting... 750iL bushing is the typical upgrade. Lemforder is the best thrust arm to buy, Meyle is second.

[ProZak]

Do a search for "shimmy" here and on the other boards. You'll turn up *loads* of information.

[stephenlc]

I undestand a shimmy is the suspension shaking, but my steering wheel is shaking as well.

[BigKriss]

the suspension shakes and you feel it through the steering wheel. tiger is right on the money.

[SnakeyesTx]

If you want to "upgrade" from the liquid filled stock ones, just ask for the thrust arm bushings from a 95 850i, they go right in and are solid .. they work great :D

[BigKriss]

are you running these? because I've never heard of them before.


If you want to "upgrade" from the liquid filled stock ones, just ask for the thrust arm bushings from a 95 850i, they go right in and are solid .. they work great :D

[SnakeyesTx]

I *was* running these till my car was totalled about 3 weeks ago :(

BMW 750i bushings: 31 12 1 136 607 (same as the 850i)

Got the original idea from bmwe34.net ..

[Scott C]

the suspension shakes and you feel it through the steering wheel. tiger is right on the money.


Tiger is right on the money - lemforder and M5 - I found out the hard way.

[stephenlc]

so are the trust arms the lower or upper control arms?

[Tiger]

Upper

[vping]

I think this is my problem as well although mine shakes mainly when I brake. The rotors may be need to be trued but there is no way it should shake that much from brakes.

[Tiger]

Yes, braking at 55MPH feels like your steering wheel will fall off the car.

[Tiger]

Yes, wheels and suspension must be under the car weight before tightening the thrust arm bushing bolt.

[stephenlc]

Do new suspension parts need to be torqued with weight on the suspension because I use a 4 point lift so the suspension just hangs.

[Tiger]

Bmaparts.com will press the bushings in for you as a set. Not much money. What wheels do you have on the car?

[BMW_Noob]

I am having the same issue. I have replaced the tie rod ends, and the front thrust arm bushings and still a vibration. How much do new thrust arms generally run?

[ThoreauHD]

Looks like alot

Upper Control Arm - Left with M5 Stock Bushing
Part # : 31 12 1 141097M $ 169.95
.................................................. .................................................. ...............

Upper Control Arm - Right with M5 Stock Bushing
Part # : 31 12 1 141098M $ 169.95
.................................................. .................................................. ...............

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/toasty0z/huh.jpg

Anyone have a lower bid?

[Sixdown]

I have the same shimmy, but can't decide where to order the parts. I saw an ebay sale by FCP or Deutschepartsusa for the M5/750il bushings on aluminum control arms and steel thrust arms (RH + LH). It was for 150 USD...questionable.

[fkong777]

I got so sick of the shaking that I changed all the arms. UCA with M5 bushing filled with 3M window weld. LCA and Tie Rods. That certainly got rid of the shake. Needed alignment after also.

[632 Regal]

Ebay and FCP are a great way to be learning all the little tricks along the way when you have to replace them constantly. I can replace the thrust arms in an hour and only go under the car 1 time to torque the arms under weight. Done with that BS and ended up getting Lemforder parts and the M5 bushings. autohausaz.com is a good source but you will need to call them to request the M5 bushings to be pressed in, for a few bucks more you can call Patrick or Yyves at bmaparts.com


I have the same shimmy, but can't decide where to order the parts. I saw an ebay sale by FCP or Deutschepartsusa for the M5/750il bushings on aluminum control arms and steel thrust arms (RH + LH). It was for 150 USD...questionable.

[632 Regal]

figment of your imagination, give it a week... Hahaha, Hope it really does last for you though.
I had my wheels balanced today and the problem has been solved. Much better....

[BMW_Noob]

I had my wheels balanced today and the problem has been solved. Much better....