Vibration help

gizmo335i · 02-15-2011, 09:53 AM

I picked my car up today after being shipped from Germany to the states. The tires were REALLY low. Guess that can be expected. Anyway, I get it on the highway and it's riding fine. But when I hit the brakes at speeds above 40 or so, the steering wheel is shaking REALLY bad. My car was not doing this AT ALL before. I'm thinking warped rotors.

But I had my wheels fixed/painted before I left Germany. I literally drove it from the place that did this straight to get shipped. And I only drove 5 mph on summer tires in the ice/snow. So I wasn't able to test it.

So that logic would dictate that I need balancing. I'm wondering what you think it is more likely?

I want new rotors anyway, so I guess I'll end up doing both anyway. I need to get this fixed ASAP!!

Babydragon · 02-15-2011, 02:46 PM

Sounds like it may be warped rotors. Does your brake pedal move up and down when you hit the brakes?

gizmo335i · 02-15-2011, 07:00 PM

No, I don't think so. I'd have to get it back out on the highway...which will be tomorrow morning. As far as I remember, only the steering wheel was shaking...

ModBargains.com · 02-15-2011, 08:39 PM

I'd recommend that you take the wheels to get road force balanced and see if that fixes it first!

WinoGregorio · 02-15-2011, 08:41 PM

Could be the tires are not happy about sitting in one spot for so long. Same thing happens to my "weekend" cars when they sit for too long. It goes away after they warm up for a few dozen miles.

IN54NITY · 02-15-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinoGregorio

Could be the tires are not happy about sitting in one spot for so long. Same thing happens to my "weekend" cars when they sit for too long. It goes away after they warm up for a few dozen miles.

+1

Could be that the wheels were torqued poorly as well. It's a long shot, but any over spray onto the rotors? This could create high spot build up from pad material, and it will get worse over time. This will require rebedding. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484846

gizmo335i · 02-16-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinoGregorio

Could be the tires are not happy about sitting in one spot for so long. Same thing happens to my "weekend" cars when they sit for too long. It goes away after they warm up for a few dozen miles.

This will sound crazy but I was so busy today running around (first day at work and having my kid in the car) I forgot to even test it out today. And I was on the highway a lot! I was trying to get to a place to get a balance but wasn't able too. It's funny that you mention that cause I was thinking that. And it must have gotten better already cause I would have at least noticed it. It was VERY noticeable right after picking it up.

Quote:

road forced

^^What is that?

ModBargains.com · 02-17-2011, 01:29 AM

The road force balancing does make a huge difference in the ride quality. However, they are not all the same. You need to find a local service center or dealer that has the Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Balancer. It's awesome and I wouldn't recommend using anything else!

gizmo335i · 02-20-2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinoGregorio

Could be the tires are not happy about sitting in one spot for so long. Same thing happens to my "weekend" cars when they sit for too long. It goes away after they warm up for a few dozen miles.

I think this was my problem...it seems to have gone away. Unbelievable...never heard of this...

WinoGregorio · 02-20-2011, 08:51 AM

Glad that's all it was.

Cheers!

1bad335 · 02-20-2011, 09:05 AM

What you have described is classic signs of warped rotors for sure. I would go with the wheel/tire balance first, since that is money well spent anyway. If the rotors are out of round. The condition generally does not go away on its own until the rotors are resurfaced or replaced. The shimmy you feel at speed when applying the brakes can and will come and go based on the amount of heat generated. As for flat spot developing on tires. While I am not saying it doesn't happen it is very, very unlikely that, that is your problem. Flat spots usually develop over a very long period of time. I know you said the problem appears to be gone but keep an eye on it since it will likely be back.

gizmo335i · 02-21-2011, 07:08 AM

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. I'm getting some new rotors anyway so hopefully it won't matter. Thanks for your help...

02-15-2011, 09:53 AM	#1
gizmo335i Colonel 163 Rep 2,979 Posts Drives: 07 SBM E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (51) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.42]	Vibration help I picked my car up today after being shipped from Germany to the states. The tires were REALLY low. Guess that can be expected. Anyway, I get it on the highway and it's riding fine. But when I hit the brakes at speeds above 40 or so, the steering wheel is shaking REALLY bad. My car was not doing this AT ALL before. I'm thinking warped rotors. But I had my wheels fixed/painted before I left Germany. I literally drove it from the place that did this straight to get shipped. And I only drove 5 mph on summer tires in the ice/snow. So I wasn't able to test it. So that logic would dictate that I need balancing. I'm wondering what you think it is more likely? I want new rotors anyway, so I guess I'll end up doing both anyway. I need to get this fixed ASAP!! __________________ In the process of restoring an 07 335i
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-15-2011, 02:46 PM	#2
Babydragon Captain 34 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chic/ago iTrader: (0)	Sounds like it may be warped rotors. Does your brake pedal move up and down when you hit the brakes?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
gizmo335i Colonel 163 Rep 2,979 Posts Drives: 07 SBM E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (51) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.42]	No, I don't think so. I'd have to get it back out on the highway...which will be tomorrow morning. As far as I remember, only the steering wheel was shaking... __________________ In the process of restoring an 07 335i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2011, 08:39 PM	#4
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	I'd recommend that you take the wheels to get road force balanced and see if that fixes it first! Last edited by ModBargains.com; 02-17-2011 at 01:28 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2011, 08:41 PM	#5
WinoGregorio Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2020 m550i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Gatos iTrader: (0)	Could be the tires are not happy about sitting in one spot for so long. Same thing happens to my "weekend" cars when they sit for too long. It goes away after they warm up for a few dozen miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2011, 01:29 AM	#8
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	The road force balancing does make a huge difference in the ride quality. However, they are not all the same. You need to find a local service center or dealer that has the Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Balancer. It's awesome and I wouldn't recommend using anything else!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2011, 08:51 AM	#10
WinoGregorio Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2020 m550i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Gatos iTrader: (0)	Glad that's all it was. Cheers!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2011, 09:05 AM	#11
1bad335 Captain 15 Rep 606 Posts Drives: 2007 335I/ 2012 335I sportline Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	What you have described is classic signs of warped rotors for sure. I would go with the wheel/tire balance first, since that is money well spent anyway. If the rotors are out of round. The condition generally does not go away on its own until the rotors are resurfaced or replaced. The shimmy you feel at speed when applying the brakes can and will come and go based on the amount of heat generated. As for flat spot developing on tires. While I am not saying it doesn't happen it is very, very unlikely that, that is your problem. Flat spots usually develop over a very long period of time. I know you said the problem appears to be gone but keep an eye on it since it will likely be back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2011, 07:08 AM	#12
gizmo335i Colonel 163 Rep 2,979 Posts Drives: 07 SBM E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (51) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.42]	Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. I'm getting some new rotors anyway so hopefully it won't matter. Thanks for your help... __________________ In the process of restoring an 07 335i
	Appreciate 0 Quote