I replaced my thrust arms, got new springs, and re did the alignment. Shimmy gone for about 2 weeks, now its back :mad: Its very noticable when braking at ~60mph. Symptoms of a bent rim? Can bent rims be fixxed? Any ideas :help

Sorry to refer you to Roadfly but here is the latest shimmy solution.

Read Number 6.

PS this is one HOT :evil2 HOT :evil2 Post


http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/5117721-1.html

Sorry to refer you to Roadfly but here is the latest shimmy solution.

Read Number 6.

PS this is one HOT :evil2 HOT :evil2 Post


http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/5117721-1.html


hmmm not sure about that, it happens when braking from 60-50

If it happens when braking, I would think warped rotors!

I replaced my thrust arms, got new springs, and re did the alignment. Shimmy gone for about 2 weeks, now its back :mad: Its very noticable when braking at ~60mph. Symptoms of a bent rim? Can bent rims be fixxed? Any ideas :help

I've had warped rotors and they felt nothing like the 45-55 shimmy, so I'm always skeptical when people suggest that. The warped rotors were a much higher frequency, and I felt them everywhere: brake pedal, steering, my ass, etc. Also, the frequency lessened as the car slowed.

I've never bent a wheel, so I can't speculate on that. I suppose it could cause shimmy, but I'd suspect it would shake the whole car, not just the steering wheel.

Worn struts causing shimmy: I guess it could. I've never heard of struts wearing such that the shaft actually has play. I would suspect that type of wear would leave a puddle of fluid on your driveway and very floaty suspension. You should also feel side-to-side looseness if they are that shot.

If I recall from your other threads, the new springs you speak of actually lowered the front end around an inch. I'm not sure what's involved in installing the springs, but if the front now sits an inch lower, you may have ruined your new t-strut bushings. Since the bushings are torqued with the car on the wheels, if you lowered the car by an inch then the angle would have changed and you may have ripped the bushings if they weren't loosened and then retorqued.

I did my t-struts about 3 months ago and my shimmy has not returned. That's not to say I don't have steering feedback thru my steering wheel that moves it side to side, but I only get that on rough roads (like the truck lanes on the freeway). The feedback I get now certainly seems intentional, giving the car that classic German road feel.

Bump the tire pressure up to 39 PSI all around - makes a big difference on my car.

If it happens when braking, I would think warped rotors!
:agree: with Magnum, braking shimmy = warped rotors

actually now that i read about the bent rims, i had that same problem on my 95 accord a few years ago. my wife...fiance then kept my car while i was on overseas duty and bent all 4 wheels! but it didn't shake like you would think...you guess it around 45-65mph. i hope this helps man...good luck

shit hope my tstrut bushings are not shot again! is there a warranty on them?

shit hope my tstrut bushings are not shot again! is there a warranty on them?

sure - if you had a decent Indie or Stealer do the work... :evil2 You didn't DIY this did you?

shit hope my tstrut bushings are not shot again! is there a warranty on them?

This is exactly why I prefer to pay for some stuff to be done on my car. If you DIY'ed it, you issued your own warranty :eek:

Good luck..............

i meant warranty on part- i dont mind the labor... can i take it back to the stealer though

i meant warranty on part- i dont mind the labor... can i take it back to the stealer though

...I knew what you meant.... I believe the answer is "No", but you will have to double check with your local stealer.

You didn't try to wash your wheels after you just drove the car, did you? I am just asking, some people don't even think about that. That for sure would warp your rotors.

John

i meant warranty on part- i dont mind the labor... can i take it back to the stealer though

I don't think the dealer will replace as they may say you caused the damage [if there is in fact damaged]. You know how they are!

I'm glad you don't mind doing things twice, personally I can't stand it. There are not enough hours in the day for me as is.

You didn't try to wash your wheels after you just drove the car, did you? I am just asking, some people don't even think about that. That for sure would warp your rotors.

John


:devillook :(

:devillook :(

:help Does this mean, YES you did?

:help Does this mean, YES you did?


well i wash my car 3 times a week but its never caused symtoms of a warped rotor, just recently the shimmy from hell has come back

well i wash my car 3 times a week but its never caused symtoms of a warped rotor, just recently the shimmy from hell has come back

I guess it would depend if the brakes were HOT and the cold water hit them this time.

It can definately happen, and I also guess it might be dependent on how thin the rotors are.

Let us know what you find out.

An interesting theory, Magnum - ...and certainly possible. I know on the racetrack it's a big "no no" to set your emergency brake after you come back in. Our rotors can build up a lot of heat stopping such a heavy car. The problem sure sounds like warped rotors and the "feel" of rotor problems can manifest itself in many different ways depending on which rotors are warped (front and/or rear), the degree to which they are warped, etc....

You didn't try to wash your wheels after you just drove the car, did you? I am just asking, some people don't even think about that. That for sure would warp your rotors.

I don't think that washing your rotors would warp them for sure. If it was for sure, then every time you drove away from a carwash, your car would have warped rotors. Maybe if you had them really hot and you hit half of the rotor with the hose, then maybe you would warp them, but overall it's pretty unlikely.

Interesting I found this; I just bought a '88 745i. I get a slight 'shimmy' from side to side, while driving down the road. It’s even heavier of a shake when brakes are applied. In the next few weeks I’m getting a break job, due to a squeak. I got the shimmy checked out at the local BMW shop, and they said they don’t know exactly what it is, but if worse comes to worse, it will be $1200 for new suspension arms and such :eyecrazy:. Or the mechanic said it could be the rim spacers, since it has aftermarket wheels. Ill let you know my conclusions in a few weeks.

-Redline