Hello there and welcome to the BMW Car Club of America.

If you are a BMW CCA member, please log in and introduce yourself in our Member Introductions section.

shake at high speed

Discussion in 'E36 (1992-1999)' started by keck01, Apr 5, 2016.

    • Member

    keck01

    Post Count: 3
    Likes Received:0
    I just had the front control arms on my M3 replaced at 170K miles (aligned also, of course). The car has Bilstein shocks - the rears and their bushings being replaced 30K miles ago - now shakes a bit over 80 MPH. The installer says that is because my tires have little wear left (2000 miles or so).

    I will be installing new tires this Summer anyway but does this response sound correct?

    Mark Keckeisen
    310.880.0352
    • Member

    MGarrison

    Post Count: 3,982
    Likes Received:257
    Are you getting a steering wheel wobble &/or feeling the shake in the steering wheel? I don't know if worn control arm bushings might hide imbalanced wheels or uneven tire wear, or not. Is the car shaking, or is it just a steering shake?

    Did you replace part #5 here (the control-arm 'wishbone' bushing)? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CD93-USA-08-1997-E36-BMW-M3&diagId=31_0242

    Other parts to consider - tie rods, steering rack, the flexible coupler on the steering column, maybe the strut-tower bearing/mount. I'd think most shops replacing control arms would at least take a look at those in the course of replacing control arms since they're right there anyway.
    • Member

    keck01

    Post Count: 3
    Likes Received:0
    Not really a shake in the steering wheel, more of a wobble, modest difference that only someone who drives fast would notice much.
    • Member

    charlson89

    Post Count: 2,416
    Likes Received:133
    Do you feel it in the steering wheel or the seat?
    • Member

    keck01

    Post Count: 3
    Likes Received:0
    • Member

    charlson89

    Post Count: 2,416
    Likes Received:133
    If its in the seat then something in the rear is causing the vibration. Could be your tires if they are chopped badly or unbalanced.

Share This Page