Pulsating in steering wheel

[avol3xo]

Hey guys, about 20% of the time when I am at highway speeds 75-80 I get a funny pulsating feeling from the steering wheel. It's not the normal constant vibration that comes with off balanced tires. It also seems to be speed dependent when it happens. Most times it does not happen at all, any ideas? I have attempted to attach a video.

Video not working, any idea how to attach a short .mp4, it's just a cell phone video.

[grantmax]

Spacers?

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Spacers?

I don't think so, the car had these wheels on it when I got it and I am going back with 359s this week so I guess I will see for sure then and see if the problem goes away.

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by avol3xo

I don't think so, the car had these wheels on it when I got it and I am going back with 359s this week so I guess I will see for sure then and see if the problem goes away.

Check your hubs for gunk when you swap the wheels.

And before this thread loses control, find a shop with a Hunter Road Force balancer.

If those two things don't fix it, you either have excessive tire run-out (rare and unlikely) or something more gremlin-ey.

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Check your hubs for gunk when you swap the wheels.

And before this thread loses control, find a shop with a Hunter Road Force balancer.

If those two things don't fix it, you either have excessive tire run-out (rare and unlikely) or something more gremlin-ey.

Thanks, when I switch the wheels I'll do that. It's just weird to me that it only happens sporadically and then goes away like nothing happened. Would the local BMW dealer have the correct balancer you mentioned?

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by avol3xo

Thanks, when I switch the wheels I'll do that. It's just weird to me that it only happens sporadically and then goes away like nothing happened. Would the local BMW dealer have the correct balancer you mentioned?

Maybe, maybe not. It's worth calling and asking. Otherwise, you can actually go on Hunter's website and find page of local shops with their equipment.

I went through this previously. Another thing to verify is that the vibration occurs on various road surfaces. There is a section of a freeway out here that is grooved and uneven as h*ll. It plays games with me.

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Maybe, maybe not. It's worth calling and asking. Otherwise, you can actually go on Hunter's website and find page of local shops with their equipment.

I went through this previously. Another thing to verify is that the vibration occurs on various road surfaces. There is a section of a freeway out here that is grooved and uneven as h*ll. It plays games with me.

Good advice, thanks. I'm sure it happens on different road surfaces, even happens on newly paved hwys.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Check your hubs for gunk when you swap the wheels.

And before this thread loses control, find a shop with a Hunter Road Force balancer.

If those two things don't fix it, you either have excessive tire run-out (rare and unlikely) or something more gremlin-ey.

I'll add that you could have had a wheel weight come off

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

I'll add that you could have had a wheel weight come off

He's right. That's also a thing.

Here's hoping this doesn't turn into "another" vibration thread.

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

I'll add that you could have had a wheel weight come off

If a wheel weight came off, wouldn't it consistently happen every time at a particular speed? I guess I can rule some things out if this continues after the wheels & tires are switched.

[BzsBimmer]

Not necessarily however you stated it happens at highway speeds which amplifies any imbalance and a wheel weight is a variable. Crud at your hub could also cause it. You don't know if you have spacers so that tells me you're not the original owner or you would definitely know. Another member had fixed their issue by removing their spacers.

Get your wheel/tire swapped as per your plan. If it happens again and they're new tires, you may need to rule out the wheel. I had a BBS LM wheel slightly bent that "balanced" however you could still feel something off. It wasn't until I took it to a wheel shop that was going to refinish the lip, that they noticed it. Once they fixed it, it drove fine. Could have just been the rebalance that did it but you could see a slight wobble.

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Not necessarily however you stated it happens at highway speeds which amplifies any imbalance and a wheel weight is a variable. Crud at your hub could also cause it. You don't know if you have spacers so that tells me you're not the original owner or you would definitely know. Another member had fixed their issue by removing their spacers.

Get your wheel/tire swapped as per your plan. If it happens again and they're new tires, you may need to rule out the wheel. I had a BBS LM wheel slightly bent that "balanced" however you could still feel something off. It wasn't until I took it to a wheel shop that was going to refinish the lip, that they noticed it. Once they fixed it, it drove fine. Could have just been the rebalance that did it but you could see a slight wobble.

Great, I'll see what happens after the change of wheels. Thanks again

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by grantmax

He's right. That's also a thing.

Here's hoping this doesn't turn into "another" vibration thread.

Don't know how to quote multiple on the app. Thanks a lot, I installed AG 359 wheels today and the problem seems to be gone so far. Actually rides a lot smoother now at all speeds!