My car jumps on center dividers on freeway, loud. Wheel bearings?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • nickmcc92
    E30 Addict
    • Dec 2012
    • 442

    #1

    My car jumps on center dividers on freeway, loud. Wheel bearings?

    Lane dividers^^^

    If I go on the freeway and change lanes my drivers side jumps and forces me into the lane. Scary
    Ever since I've bought this car I've been trying to take it on the freeway but its a little dangerous, lol. Cars stay away from me because I'm all over the place.

    new:
    Front strut mounts, struts, outer ball joints, tie rods, m3 CAB's, sway bar end links.
    Rear shock mounts and shocks.

    Haven't changed wheel bearings though because I don't hear any sounds from the wheel. Could this be the first sign of a bad wheel bearing? Or cheap tires?

    And I had a recent alignment. Toe set at +.11 on both sides. Total:.22
  • unevolved
    Mod Crazy
    • Nov 2011
    • 714

    #2
    Pull really hard on the top of the wheel and see if you can make the wheel wiggle back and forth. (Hint: You shouldn't be able to)
    1991 318i SOLD
    2003 325i SOLD

    Racecars and stuff.

    Comment

    • kronus
      R3V OG
      • Apr 2008
      • 13003

      #3
      I've had that happen when my car was drastically, terribly misaligned. You should get some boards and a pair of tape measures and verify that your alignment is correct.

      theory - someone aligned your car with the front wheels in the air, or set it to toe out instead of toe in
      cars beep boop

      Comment

      • nickmcc92
        E30 Addict
        • Dec 2012
        • 442

        #4
        Originally posted by unevolved
        Pull really hard on the top of the wheel and see if you can make the wheel wiggle back and forth. (Hint: You shouldn't be able to)
        If I can. What does it mean? (Not saying it does) and while the car's on jacks?

        Comment

        • nickmcc92
          E30 Addict
          • Dec 2012
          • 442

          #5
          Originally posted by kronus
          I've had that happen when my car was drastically, terribly misaligned. You should get some boards and a pair of tape measures and verify that your alignment is correct.

          theory - someone aligned your car with the front wheels in the air, or set it to toe out instead of toe in
          I'm thinking the same thing. Because I did change my strut mounts after the alignment but did not touch the tie rods at all.
          My car feels pretty straight on the streets, but not to where its perfect.

          Toe in is positive or negative? I forget

          Comment

          • AndrewBird
            The Mad Scientist
            • Oct 2003
            • 11892

            #6
            Toe in is where the distance between the tires in the front is narrower than the distance in the rear.

            Worn strut mounts or control arm ball joints are a possible cause for this. So are worn tie rods. Trying to move the wheel while the car is on jack stands will tell you what is loose. If it moves when you grab it top and bottom, its strut mounts and/or ball joints. Side to side is tie rods.

            Comment

            • unevolved
              Mod Crazy
              • Nov 2011
              • 714

              #7
              Originally posted by Nmccahera92
              If I can. What does it mean? (Not saying it does) and while the car's on jacks?
              If you can feel the wheel thunk back and forth, that means something's worn out. You said your suspension is in good shape, so that leaves your wheel bearings.
              1991 318i SOLD
              2003 325i SOLD

              Racecars and stuff.

              Comment

              • jlevie
                R3V OG
                • Nov 2006
                • 13530

                #8
                This can be caused by asymmetric front camber even when front toe is correct or it can be caused by rear alignment errors. Only front toe is adjustable, but a four wheel alignment will tell if there are other problems from wear or damage.
                The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                Comment

                • ak-
                  R3V OG
                  • May 2009
                  • 12422

                  #9
                  Haha, maybe your subframe isn't bolted down :p

                  1991 325iS turbo

                  Comment

                  • nickmcc92
                    E30 Addict
                    • Dec 2012
                    • 442

                    #10
                    Originally posted by jlevie
                    This can be caused by asymmetric front camber even when front toe is correct or it can be caused by rear alignment errors. Only front toe is adjustable, but a four wheel alignment will tell if there are other problems from wear or damage.
                    Jlevie always with the save.
                    My driver side camber is off only on that side.
                    Car was in accident previous owner. Not sure how bad of accident.
                    -2.6 degrees camber on drivers and -.08 on passenger.
                    I'm guessing my frame is bent.. Found out after I bought the car :(

                    I don't wanna buy a wheel bearing finding out its not the problem and realizing the car is just crap.

                    Comment

                    • nickmcc92
                      E30 Addict
                      • Dec 2012
                      • 442

                      #11
                      Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver
                      Toe in is where the distance between the tires in the front is narrower than the distance in the rear.

                      Worn strut mounts or control arm ball joints are a possible cause for this. So are worn tie rods. Trying to move the wheel while the car is on jack stands will tell you what is loose. If it moves when you grab it top and bottom, its strut mounts and/or ball joints. Side to side is tie rods.
                      Suspension is tight.

                      Comment

                      • nickmcc92
                        E30 Addict
                        • Dec 2012
                        • 442

                        #12
                        Calling all r3v'ers who have experienced a bad wheel bearing.

                        Comment

                        • kronus
                          R3V OG
                          • Apr 2008
                          • 13003

                          #13
                          bad wheel bearings wouldn't do this. get adjustable camber plates, re-zero the car.
                          cars beep boop

                          Comment

                          • nickmcc92
                            E30 Addict
                            • Dec 2012
                            • 442

                            #14
                            That's seems to be the only way to fix the camber and hopefully this issue. Wheel bearings didnt seem right to me either.
                            What about steering rack? Probably not huh?

                            Comment

                            • Wh33lhop
                              R3V OG
                              • Feb 2009
                              • 11705

                              #15
                              Originally posted by kronus
                              bad wheel bearings wouldn't do this. get adjustable camber plates, re-zero the car.
                              You could do this, but it would be a band aid if your frame is tweaked.
                              paint sucks

                              Comment

                              Working...