High Speed Front Wheel Shimmy

[EatsHondas]

Hey guys,

Ever since I bought my '89 325i, I've been experiencing 65+ mph front end shimmy. When I first hit the brakes at almost any speed above 20 mph or so, the shimmy also appears, but goes away almost immediately without releasing brake pressure.

Wheels: Stock 14" Bottle Caps
Tires: Primewell PS830's (185/65/14)

Possible causes straight from the Bentley:

1) Incorrect Tire Pressure (Probably not, I carefully monitor and adjust this)

2) Unbalanced Wheels/Tires (Very possible, no service record later than 1995)

3) Loose Wheel Lug Bolts (No, but I am missing a bolt on the left front wheel)

4) Bent Wheel Rim (Neither are visibly bent, but will check more closely this weekend)

5) Tire(s) Out-of-Round (How common is this? Are Primewell tires any good? No flat spots.)

6) Severely Worn Shock Absorbers (Probably not - Extremely comfortable ride, no weird noises, shocks don't feel blown)

7) Worn/Defective Control Arm Rubber Mounts (No idea)

Anyone ever experienced anything like this? Are any possible causes more probable than others?

I know the toe is way off because the car pulls left ever so slightly and needs the wheel cocked to the right (obviously?) to track straight. But I also read that an alignment rarely solves a vibration issue, so I'll probably string her up the next time I get a chance and save ~$80 (tires still wear normally despite said issues).

[ELVA164]

My vote goes with a balance issue, I'm surprised they aren't being scalloped from driving the car with toe out like that. Balance the tires and rotate them left to right. If they're directional, maybe swap the tires on the wheels before balancing.

Also, #2 isn't suggesting those tires could be 10+years old, right?

[Fyrizon]

My dash wobbles to the tunes I plan on the freeway, turned out to be worn lollipops. Switched those out today and the car feels much smoother. I would check my bushings just to rule that out.

[Simon S]

first/easy/obvious thing first: have the wheels balanced.

if you can get it on a lift or on jackstands, check for any play in suspension, and check health of brake pads/rotors while you're checking things out..

[Sindako]

The Speed Vibration as I Call It , Is a wheel Balance Issue .
And The braking Vibration Is The Rotors (Brake Rotors) , or Might Get Them Reconditioned At a Brake Rotors Lathe . Or If They're Damaged Replace .

Note : when you Change The Rotors Or Redefine Them . You'll Have to Replace The Brake Pads . So They Might Damage The Rotors Again Because They Took A Shape .

PS : If yo Can't Find Good Brake Pads , Use A ( Mercedes 190E W201) Brake Pads . I Recommend Them , Really Good .
TEXTAR or ATE , Both Are Good . I Only Use Mercedes-Benz Brake Pads .

Cheers .

[EatsHondas]

Sounds good, I'll check for obvious problems tomorrow and get the wheels balanced if I can't find anything.

[mcaden]

Agree with others - no. 2/balance them.

[EatsHondas]

Also, #2 isn't suggesting those tires could be 10+years old, right?

Haha definitely not. I'm actually really happy with the looks of them. The tread and nonexistant wear marks are telling me they don't have many miles on 'em.

[EatsHondas]

The vibration only seems to exist between 65 and 75. After that, it's pretty smooth, even at 90 mph.

Haven't had a chance to wrench on it yet...

I'm missing a lug bolt because some tard stripped the threads in the hub. Picked up a spare strut/hub/rotor assembly, so that'll get put on before any money gets spent lol.

[ELVA164]

I had two wheels/tires on my car that were out of balance, and they were worst between 65 and 75 as well. The evidence mounts...