Front End Shake at highway speeds

[Vandakeg]

I have a horrible front end shake when hitting speeds of 70mph and above. It seems to only happen when I am traveling in a straight line. As soon as the road curves either to the left or right, the shake goes away.

I just bought this car a couple months ago, and the PO mentioned it may need an alignment (the steering wheel is not centered when driving straight).

I just put new pads, rotors, and control arm bushings in, but that didn't help. I did notice that the drivers side tire, when off the car, tilts pretty badly to the outside. It was bad enough that the wheel/tire would almost fall over when standing on its own... although the tread wear seems to be pretty even.

[Archer28]

I had to replace both ball joints in my car... if you jack it up you really have to shake it HARD to feel them move, but mine were really, really shot. I would advise NOT buying just the ball joints and going ahead and getting the entire control arm. I bought just the joint for one side and it was almost as much as the arm, plus it was a pain to press out/press in.

[Vandakeg]

So, new control arms would require me to get new bushings again right?

[poohlikeshunny]

wait, so if you get the entire lower control arm, it comes with bushings, ball joints, and the control arm (which is all you need right?)

I have the same issue with mine and need to take care it soon...driving me nuts...how dangerous is it to drive on for a week or so until the parts arrive?

[lightflyer1]

These cars are old enough now that the whole suspension/steering/bushing systems should be examined and replaced as needed. Hitting it one part at a time will ensure you get to do it over and over again.

[travis325i]

Try getting your wheels balanced start with the cheap and easy fix first. Don't go blow your bank on a whole new suspenion. Also it sounds like you could really use an alignment.

[Archer28]

I just bought an entire kit off ebay (or are we not supposed to say things like that!) They have a control arm kit for around $160. It has pretty much everything you need and its a lot cheaper than buying individually. I DID have a problem with one of the sway bar links snapping during install (see my other post) but YMMV.
The bushings were even solid (verses the "holey" stock ones) which I thought was a plus.
Here is the kit I bought:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-BMW-318i-325i-E36-Control-Arm-Arms-Suspension-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad3014ce0QQitemZ39 0087134432QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcce ssories

[Vandakeg]

Wow... that kit looks very tempting.

[manny325is]

i have the same exact problem! but idk where to start...

Originally Posted by Archer28

I just bought an entire kit off ebay (or are we not supposed to say things like that!) They have a control arm kit for around $160. It has pretty much everything you need and its a lot cheaper than buying indidually. I DID have a problem with one of the sway bar links snapping during install (see my other post) but YMMV.
The bushings were even solid (verses the "holey" stock ones) which I thought was a plus.
Here is the kit I bought:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-BMW-318i-325i-E36-Control-Arm-Arms-Suspension-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad3014ce0QQitemZ39 0087134432QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcce ssories

how is the quallity of the parts?! do they look like they would last? thnx.

[dfreshx00]

what u said, is what i had. i replaced control arms&bushings, and tierods. the shakes gone now

[jmo69]

Yes that is tempting, I just got my tierod ends and locknuts from Pelican today for $44 shipped. I bought urethane LCABs from FCP Groton 2 yrs ago with no complaints. They are different, they are 2 piece, meaning the center section rotates.