Shaking at 70 mph

[MattE30]

When I get my car up to around 70 mph I get a very annoying steering wheel shake and the entire car vibrates, but rythmatically. By this I mean every second or so it vibrates then stops for a second or less, then vibrates again, like a cycle.

I replaced a very bent wheel and it got a little better, but it is still there. Any ideas?

[rwh11385]

Most 70-80 vibrations I've had were bent wheels, but that doesn't seem like it. Whatever it is, it's was like that with the eta I just sold a little. Driving home was kinda iffy feel to it. Forunately, the new owner loves the car.

My guess is the control arm bushings. Could also be bent wheel, or tie rods, or warped rotors, or....

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=53215

&highlight=shake+highway
"bent wheel(s)? tire(s) not balanced? warped rotors? tie rods? sway bar end links? control arms? ball joints? upper strut bearings? the list goes on, and that's just the front end, check everything."

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=53957&highlight=shake+highway

Ask bimmerfanatik (Scott) if his problem was every found out "Second question. At around 78-80 MPH, I get a weird "pulsing" vibration. Not constant, just shake.....shake.....shake.....can't figure out what would cause that. Fine until 80, fine after. Wheel/tire out of balance? Bent rim? Anyone else get this?"

When I thought my CABs were bad, my car was unstable at 90+ mph. I upgraded/replaced them and it was a little better, but the ultimate problem was really the strut collar nut being loose..... pretty obvious when it came completely out.


How old is your suspension? The nut could have backed off, and that could be it. Free to tighten it back down if so....

[RobertK]

Last time I had a shaking like what you are describing it was due to a bad belt in one of my front tires in the tire or it could also be a poorly balanced tire.

I know exactly what you're talking about because it shakes rhythmically in waves of intensity. Usually, if it's a bad radil belt in a tire, the worse the belt gets the more you will begin to notice it at lower speeds.

[sticksdaman]

sorry to revive this thread but it was either this or start a new thread about a topic thats already been discussed


but i think my front right wheel has a slight bend in it and i was wondering if this might be the cause of the vibration that i have been experiencing at speeds in excess of 85-90 mph... could it be my tie rod(s) how else would i know exactly whats causing it? any specific ways to diagnose if its the slightly bent wheel causing it or possibly something more sinister? again sorry for the dead thread

[lordofthewaters]

Last time I had a shaking like what you are describing it was due to a bad belt in one of my front tires in the tire or it could also be a poorly balanced tire.

I know exactly what you're talking about because it shakes rhythmically in waves of intensity. Usually, if it's a bad radil belt in a tire, the worse the belt gets the more you will begin to notice it at lower speeds.

:stupid:

Most likely a balance issue. It COULD however be the tie rod ends as well........

[lordofthewaters]

any specific ways to diagnose if its the slightly bent wheel causing it or possibly something more sinister?

Sure is. Take that wheel and mount it on the rear, and take that good one and mount it in front, and be sure to torque the lugs.

[sticksdaman]

i might try that but im running 65 profiles in the rear and 60 in the frnt will this be a problem?

[lordofthewaters]

Not just for a few miles of testing, I wouldn't think.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

my car was a vibrator overall.... eh ehehe... i got new tyres, rebalancing, found out i had a bent rim, got better one, got new tie-rods.... it drives like new!

[delatlanta1281]

I did this yesterday in fact. when accelerating the wheel would skake side to side in rhythm. At 70 it would vibrate. just got new tires and balanced them. switched the front pass side and "fixed" the problem