Thumping noise after changing to summer tires

[ev87]

Yesterday I put the summer tires back on my 89 325is. This is the same set of wheels that was on the car for pretty much all of 2011 without any problems. The only configuration change was a rotation of the tires, to kill two birds with one stone.

Taking the car out for a test drive after this, I noticed that when turning left starting with the wheel at about half-lock, there is a regular, periodic thumping noise that gets more frequent as I go faster. When turning right, or going straight, all is OK. I checked for anything I could think of - wheels rubbing against wheel-well liners, rocks caught in the tread, and tires having gone bad over the winter, with everything again seeming just fine. It doesn't seem to be brake drag as there's no speed loss associated with the thump. As mentioned, this only happens when turning left, and produces a pretty loud thump sound as well as a bump felt through the whole frame. This also occurs when backing up, but this time, only with the wheel turned right.

Here's a quick video I took in a parking lot to demonstrate: link.

Any suggestions as to what hell this could be? I'm completely out of ideas at this point.

[leegf]

are the wheels torqued properly? just a thought.

[ev87]

I'll double check after work, but I torqued the wheels down to 80lb-ft when I installed them. Does that seem about right?

[dnguyen1963]

On an E30, you are not supposed to rotate the tires. Put the tires back to their original locations.

[ev87]

On an E30, you are not supposed to rotate the tires. Put the tires back to their original locations.

I'll give it a shot. Any idea on the technical reason behind why E30s don't take to tire rotation?

[leegf]

I'll give it a shot. Any idea on the technical reason behind why E30s don't take to tire rotation?

actually, i, too, would like to know -- i've never heard this.

OP, how did you rotate?

[ev87]

actually, i, too, would like to know -- i've never heard this.

OP, how did you rotate?

Diagram A. The tires aren't directional.

[Exodus_2pt0]

On an E30, you are not supposed to rotate the tires. Put the tires back to their original locations.

Rubbish, if the wheels are the same size front and rear there is no reason NOT to rotate.

OP, that sounds to me like a loose wheel. Take your wheels off and make sure that the mating surfaces are clean, then reinstall. I personally don't pay attention to individual vehicle's torque specs for wheels. I hit every car to 100ft. lbs.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Sounds like a wheel weight.

[ev87]

Update: torqued all four corners up to 100 lb-ft. No noticeable improvement :(. Any other ideas?

[stamar]

Tires that can be rotated can also be rotated on an e30.


tires that cant be rotated also cant be rotated on an e30.
It depends on the tire.


Take a look at the guibo and csb. Even though it doesnt make sense that it go out with the tire change it could.

[dnguyen1963]

Check your Bentley...no tire rotation on E30.

"BMW does not recommend tire rotation. Owing to the car's
suspension design, the front tires begin to wear first at the outer
shoulder and the rear tires begin to wear first at the m iddle of
the tread or inner shoulder. Rotating the tires may adversely
affect road handling and tire grip."

[immajackuup]

Check your Bentley...no tire rotation on E30.

fuge your Bentley! you can rotate all you want as long is not stagger.

[dnguyen1963]

fuge you Bentley! you can rotate all you want as long is not stagger.

Why do you hate Bentley manual? It is an excellent technical resource to have. Yes, their recommendations can be very conservative, but you cannot go wrong by following them.

[stamar]

Check your Bentley...no tire rotation on E30.

"BMW does not recommend tire rotation. Owing to the car's
suspension design, the front tires begin to wear first at the outer
shoulder and the rear tires begin to wear first at the m iddle of
the tread or inner shoulder. Rotating the tires may adversely
affect road handling and tire grip."

that is describing the tires that came with the car.