have a steering wobble at 40+

[gasisontheright]

87 325i. First BMW. Just drove it a bit, and it has a steering wobble to it. Seems to start in at 40 and get worse as you go faster. Only went up to about 50. What I mean by steering wobble is the steering wheel will go left to right ever so slightly. Any ideas where to start looking? I haven't even jacked the car up yet to get a look at it.

[DaButt]

No offense by any of this,I don't know you're skill level... probably more than mine, but I get the same.

1. Tire pressure to spec
2. steering coupler (or knuckle)-

most of the time, I top off my air, and it stops, but it's still there at ~60mph, and i know my coupler is shot, I gotta get the Ireland one and stick it in soon.

[cabriodster87]

I would start with the tires, check for uneven tread surface and balance. Excessive wheel / rotor run-out. Inner and outer tie rods, ball joints and suspension mounting points. Steering rack and coupler... etc. GL

[ADlBOO]

Along with the stuff mentioned above get an alignment. Plus usually they'll spot something messing up the alignment and you can change that and get it realigned. I usually find a shop that offers a lifetime alignment service, cheaper than two alignments and you can go in whenever you want.

[E30_fiend]

Do the free things first and work your way up to the more expensive things.

Free:
1. Tire pressure
2. Aftermarket wheels may need hub rings. Check if you have aftermarket wheels
3. Lug torque
4. If you have a late model, check the column nut under the kick panel. Late models have a two piece steering column. They arr notorious for coming loose. It's a 32mm nut.

Cheap:
1. Get your tires rotated and balanced.(I think this is absolutely your problem)
2. Have the tire shop put your car on thr alignment each and check things out.
3. Poly steering coupler

Pricey:
1. Wheel Bearings
2. Rotors/pads
3. Worn tie rods/ball joints or control arm bushings.

That should cover any shake you could encounter with that car.


Taylor

[gasisontheright]

I havent even jacked it up and put it on stands yet to look at it, but from me pokin around a bit and looking at this picture:



I've got a bad tie rod end. It is definitely coming from the right front wheel, and its "loose." I'm going to put it up on stands this weekend sometime and see whats actually there.

[E30_fiend]

Grab the wheel at the 9oclock and 3oclock positions and push and pull. If you have a lot of movement or noise, the tie rod is no good. They are really easy to change out and fairly cheap too.


Taylor

[gasisontheright]

Ya, I have bad inner tie rod ends. Both sides. Need control arm bushings too. At one point in time the steering rack has been replaced with a rebuilt unit too.

[E30_fiend]

I recommend doing your control arms along with your tie rods and control arm bushings. Shoot BluntTech a PM on here. Best prices and free FAST shipping. Cool dude too


Taylor

[immajackuup]