Steering Wheel Vibration & Shake After Alignment

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jkundi
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Sat Aug 06, 2016 8:29 pm

Hi all, my e30 cabs had been having crazy wheel shake when driving above 40mph so decided to get an alignment and wheel balance done. This fixed the issue for two days and now its worse than before. Is there anything I should check in relation to steering, or tie rod ends?
Gert_8
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Sat Aug 06, 2016 8:41 pm

The "guibo?"
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
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jkundi
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Sat Aug 06, 2016 9:51 pm

I'm not sure, wouldn't that give me wheel shake/vibration at all speeds? And would the temp wheel alignment fix that. I'll defiently check it thou.
tha881
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Sun Aug 07, 2016 8:12 pm

It could be a variety of things

First thing and relatively easy would be to check the brakes over, including the caliper slider pins. Either grease or replace these. Check the brake disks for warping also. With the front jacked up give the wheel a spin, you will be able to tell if the brakes are dragging

Once the brakes are sorted then it could be a number of bushes on the front end. Check the control arm 'lollipop' bushes. If they are the type with a void then these will probably cause instability and possibly shaking through the wheel under braking. Worth upgrading to m3 offset solid bushes. If your control arms havn't been replaced in 20 or so years then the balljoints could be shot

Its worth checking tyres for uneven wear. Its all good getting tracking done but if the tyres have been driven for a long time with incorect alignment it won't help

The guibo can be checked visually for wear/play and check the power steering fluid level also
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DanThe
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Sun Aug 07, 2016 8:39 pm

Could be down to old/out of shape tyres or a damaged wheel, check the wheels by spinning them and looking for flat spots
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Jamesy
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Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:45 pm

You say the wheel alignment and balance fixed the issue for two days, how well were the weights fitted to the wheels on wheel balance? Is not possible you've lost a weight or two.....just a thought!
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BHadley
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Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:04 pm

Wheel nuts tight? Real basic and most tyre places insist on checking (re torquing) after 100 miles....

Track rod locknuts (where wheel alignment adjusted not loose)

Broken suspension springs? Should be complete and not loose

And all the above posts too........
Topblag
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Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:47 pm

What wheels and tyre size are you rolling ?
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
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