Steering wheel shake @50-55mph HELP!

[jmlandry]

My 1997 540ia sterring wheel shakes like a hula dancer at 50-55 mph, smooth at all other speeds. I've had the "road force balance" on all four wheels to no avail. The shop (goodyear) is going to look at it on Tuesday, hopefully you can give me some ideas?

Help!

John

[kaoru-tochiro]

Those 5 series have a very sensitive steering system. Usually its the tires are worn or out of balance. If they're ok, the check the front lower control arms, thery wear out and cause vibrations too.

[tomlong]

Mine does it as well let me know what you find out.

[jmlandry]

Possible causes:

1. Out of balance wheels
2. Bad tire(s)
3. Wheel not center on hub (centering rings may help)
4. Allignment
5. Warped rotor
6. Loose front end parts

I'm still trying to figure this one out!!!

[tomlong]

The only one I have not checked is the front end parts.

[jmlandry]

I've searced high and low and have finally solved the "shake, shaking, shimmying steering wheel problem". The answer lies in the upper control arm bushings. They are the size of a large tuna can and are made of rubber. The rubber cracks after 100K miles in my case, providing limited support for this arm. They are a bitch to replace and have to be pressed in. Fix 'em and the shakes will go away, replace your strutts too if they have over 50K miles.

John


97 540ia

[wingman829]

my 525 used to do the exact same thing between 50 and 55. I just got the front end realigned and new tires and it was perfect! Good luck

[knobtwirler]

If it wobbles without brakes being applied it probably isn't warped rotors. More like wheel/tire balancing.