I gave up, need help here !!!

[moezoubi]

Hello all,

So i purchased 18" rims with new tires, the rims look to be in perfect condition no bends.

So i mounted the wheels on and hit the road to realize the car steering is shaking very badly on all speeds.

So i went to get wheel balance for all four, i also changed the front ball-joints with brand new ones from BMW dealership, and then i went to get a wheel alignment.

I thought that would solve the problem but the car steering wheel is still shaking badly on all speeds, i think its even worse than before.

I was wondering what might be the cause, any advice is appreciated, thanks.

[keehn]

Does the shaking happen at highway speed even when your foot is off the gas? If so, it could be something in the propeller shaft U-joints, the center bearing or guibo. If the shaking does go away when you let off the gas, it could be your spark plugs or coils that might need to be replaced.

Mike

[moezoubi]

Does the shaking happen at highway speed even when your foot is off the gas? If so, it could be something in the propeller shaft U-joints, the center bearing or guibo. If the shaking does go away when you let off the gas, it could be your spark plugs or coils that might need to be replaced.

Mike


The car was fine when i had the winter rims and tires on, but when i took them off i realized that the front 2 tires had 50% tread left and the rear ones had 90% tread left, i bought all the four tires at the same time brand new!! So i was shocked and decided that when i mount the new 18" wheels that i wanted to get ball-joints, wheel balance, and alignment, but that made matters worse.

The shaking actually presists when i take my foot off gas in the highway. The steering shakes so bad that i feel am losing control sometimes and i have to hold on tight to it with both hands.

I was wondering if the rims had problems that the human eye can't see, when i did the balance they seemed ok?

Can the Mechanic tell if one of these need to be replaced by just looking at it:
- Propeller shaft U-joints
- Center bearing
- Guibo

[wil524]

Does the wheels have hubcentric rings? If not, go get them.

[understr]

This is a front end problem. Your experiencing the "death wobble" more commonly felt in solid axle vehicles.

Check your tie rod ends and the control arm bushings. You most likely didnt feel the problem before b/c of the smaller wheel and tire diameter.

[keehn]

This is a front end problem. Your experiencing the "death wobble" more commonly felt in solid axle vehicles.

Check your tie rod ends and the control arm bushings. You most likely didnt feel the problem before b/c of the smaller wheel and tire diameter.

Actually, I'd have to second understr here. Your steering wheel wobble rules out the propeller shaft.

Mike

[Malcolm]

Does the wheels have hubcentric rings? If not, go get them.

Are these BMW 3-series specific wheels? If not, wil524 is on the right path. BMWs require wheels that are are hub-centric; this means the hole in the center of the wheel must fit snugly over the hub. If there's a gap, you'll get the same symptoms you are describing.

[wendall@cmwerks]

frozen brake caliper or warped rotor?

a friends e46 would shake like all hell at highway speeds and it was a frozen caliper.

[moezoubi]

Are these BMW 3-series specific wheels? If not, wil524 is on the right path. BMWs require wheels that are are hub-centric; this means the hole in the center of the wheel must fit snugly over the hub. If there's a gap, you'll get the same symptoms you are describing.

Actually the rims i have is FALKENS, they are 18", u can read their specifications here: http://www.falkentire.com/xhtml/wheel_detail.php?wheel=8

My rims specifications are the following:

Rims Specifications:
-------------------------
- 18"
- 5 x 120 Bolt Pattern
- Size 18x8
- Offset 38mm
- Weight 29lbs


Outside Diameter (Wheel Bore Size): 74.20mm
Inside Diameter (Vehicle Hub Size): 72.56mm

Where can i buy the hubcentric rings from with these specificiations above?

[WTFGERMAN]

check for flat spots on the tires or get a road force balance done it helped me a lot

[bmwguy99]

When i had that issue it turned out I was low on powersteering fluid, u may want to check it...

[wil524]

Actually the rims i have is FALKENS, they are 18", u can read their specifications here: http://www.falkentire.com/xhtml/wheel_detail.php?wheel=8

My rims specifications are the following:

Rims Specifications:
-------------------------
- 18"
- 5 x 120 Bolt Pattern
- Size 18x8
- Offset 38mm
- Weight 29lbs


Outside Diameter (Wheel Bore Size): 74.20mm
Inside Diameter (Vehicle Hub Size): 72.56mm

Where can i buy the hubcentric rings from with these specificiations above?

You need hubcentric rings then. It should feel like an up-and-down wobble. Experienced this before and the rings fixed it. I'm surprised they didn't come with them.

[IADUBBER]

Actually the rims i have is FALKENS, they are 18", u can read their specifications here: http://www.falkentire.com/xhtml/wheel_detail.php?wheel=8

My rims specifications are the following:

Rims Specifications:
-------------------------
- 18"
- 5 x 120 Bolt Pattern
- Size 18x8
- Offset 38mm
- Weight 29lbs


Outside Diameter (Wheel Bore Size): 74.20mm
Inside Diameter (Vehicle Hub Size): 72.56mm

Where can i buy the hubcentric rings from with these specificiations above?

E36 has a hub bore of 72.5mm if I remember correctly.

[randomy]

You should call the dealer you purchased the rims from, and ask them to supply you with the hubcentric rings that you need. These are often included when neccesarry, and in my opinion, should have been included with you rims.

[moezoubi]

As i mentione before:

My Outside Diameter (Wheel Bore Size): 74.20mm
My Inside Diameter (Vehicle Hub Size): 72.56mm

I found a website below that sell the same size inside diameter but the outside diamater was 74.10mm, would that make a difference? Do they have to be exactly 74.20mm? thanks

http://www.calwheelaccessories.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=15

[randomy]

Yes, the hubcentric rings size must be precise

[moezoubi]

Yes, the hubcentric rings size must be precise

Would u be able to help with the search i just can't find the 74.2mm outside diameter i called few dealers that deal with Falkens they all said we cant order that WTF?

I've been googleing for an hour now and with no results, Can u help me find a hubcentric ring for the specifications below, thanks.

Outside Diameter (Wheel Bore Size): 74.20mm
Inside Diameter (Vehicle Hub Size): 72.56mm

P.S: LOL i just called BMW dealership asking for hubcentric rings and they didn't know what it was, so i gave them my vin # and asked them if they could tell me what is my hub diameter and they said its 83mm, is that possible does e36 has an 83mm not a 72.56mm????? I have headaches right now !!!

[randomy]

I'm seeing the same thing. I can only find rings in 74.1 outside diameter. But I am thinking now that you are intended to use the 74.1 outside diameter rings for these wheels, because on the specs for all of the rims that you linked to, they are exactly 1/10 mm larger than any rings I can find. At this point I would try the rings that you found, they are your best bet.

[moezoubi]

I'm seeing the same thing. I can only find rings in 74.1 outside diameter. But I am thinking now that you are intended to use the 74.1 outside diameter rings for these wheels, because on the specs for all of the rims that you linked to, they are exactly 1/10 mm larger than any rings I can find. At this point I would try the rings that you found, they are your best bet.


Ok so is my Vehicle Hub Size is 72.56mm or 83mm like the dealer said?

[wil524]

Ok so is my Vehicle Hub Size is 72.56mm or 83mm like the dealer said?

Well, since your 74.2 mm wheels fit then the hub is definitely not 83 mm which is larger. Just measure the hub with a caliber or flip your other wheels over and measure it.