XSeries-forum

Hi all
Just come outta the garage after having a new steering rack fitted as the old was on its way out im still getting the steering wheel wooble between 60-80mph!!!!
Bits that have been done so far
News discs and pads Pagid ones
Control Arms both sides BUT THESE WAS A CHEAP SET
Lower control arms both sides
Tie rod ends both sides
Wheels balanced by a proper machine
Brand new tyres on front
Wheels checked for buckles or cracks
New steering rack today as the old one was clicking and clonking
Tracking done
Put a different set of front wheels on from a newer x5 and no different
Checked the callipers both sides nothing seizing or seized and not getting hot
Drive shafts both sides have been done today to no avail
The control arms was a cheap set fitted by a garage going to change these tomorrow
It’s does pull slightly to the left or right when braking hard from 80mph don’t know if it’s the lines in the road or not but it stops in a straight line at 60mph and less
Can some one please help
What else is there left to replace on the car to stop this wobble
Any help much appreciated
Thanks

Have you checked for wheel bearing play. A knackered strut or top mount. Do a spanner check on all the new bits fitted.

Hi Henry
Yes checked for wheel bearings and struts seems fine no leaking off oil Or light misting! The garage I’ve took it to is lost with it now

I’m gonna buy two new control arms tomorrow good quality ones this time and see if that helps what do u reckon?

Does the wobble reduce when braking or get worse?

What about the rear wheel balance? That can cause a wobble that sometimes seems to be front imbalance.
As for control arms - just poly bush them. It's more precise. If you mean steering wheel wobble at speed then it's more than likely an imbalance. Double check discs, wheel and tyre fitment.

If you have new tyres on one axle then make sure the difference between axles is less than 1.5mm or you risk transmission damage.

As above, if everything has been done at the front, what about the rear? Might also be worth checking any centre bearings/supports on the rear prop shaft.

Engine mounts OK?

It’s been tracked and balanced about 20 times I’ve even seen them do it! The wobble stays the same when braking or on acceleration!
Not checked the prop shaft how would I do that?

Do you get a feel when driving it which side or end of the car is wobbling?

Hi angry
It Is wobbling at the steering wheel no where else

frank3188 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:49 am Not checked the prop shaft how would I do that?

Go under the car and check for free play in any support structure holding the prop shaft, which would be about half way down between the gearbox rear and diff. I can’t remember if there is one on the E53.

Looking at your list there can’t be much left to look at! I would have suggested a run out check with a dial gauge indicator on the rims to make sure they are running true as an option, but I think you’ve done that.

One thought is whether the disc to hub face is clean. If the issue was there before changes I’m running out of ideas

Two useful websites you can go to are:

newtis.info which carries a copy of the Service Instructions used by BMW Dealers

Realoem.com - which carries an up to date release of the BMW Parts database. Use the last 7 characters of your VIN to pull up your model.

You say control arms and track rod ends done but what about the other front suspension links?

frank3188 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 25, 2020 9:27 pmWheels balanced by a proper machine

How many different balancers have the wheels been on? I ask only because I had something similar many years ago, and it was cured the first time I took the wheels to a different place for balancing. I'd changed absolutely everything, as you have...........

Bent wheel..?

I know the disc's are new, however check for warped or out of round disc's. Years ago my business partner had a Range Rover that had an out of balance issue the only fix in the end was having them balanced on the car. The balancer said disc's, John said they are OEM fitted at service. The balancer took off a wheel put a dial gauge against the disc and sure enough the disc was out of true. We decided it was John's heavy right foot not bedding the disc's in