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Steering wobbles/pulsations
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 10, 2022, 3:05 AM
Post #1 of 14
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Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Hello all
I have a bmw e60 5 series 520d. 64 000kms on the dash.
My issue is with the steering wheel.
At 80kmh i get a wobble up to 100. Something that I can see and feel. After that, it fades away but I can still feel something is pulsating, quicker.
Before 80, the steering is jerky
On bumps, and uneven roads, the steering moves a LOT. I know steeering should react, but it feels like something is driving for me. It can go up to 45deg on one side and gets back. The roads here are really bad (paved city)
Weirdly enough, when I turn between 80-100kmh I don't feel the wobble anymore, maybe it's because I hold it more tight.
The steering wheel pulls to the right, alignment has been done 2 times. When I hold it straight it goes straight though.
And it seems to vibrates while hard breaking but not all the time. Much less with the new tires.
I changed the 2 control arms/side that had a little flex (normal I would say) and tie rods (in/out). When I changed tires they found a bent rim, that is now ok.
Went to 3 mechanics for the balancing of the wheels.
I do not have any play whatsoever on the wheels.
Precision : the steering is still precise. And it is just the steering that wobble, not the front end.
I cannot go to a mechanic these days I don't have time, they all close before 6 ahah.
Anyway, I know a bit so please feel free to give me some hints. It is making me crazy as I love the car overall
Thanks for the time. I know it's a lot to read
Matthieu.
Edit : I don't know if it's related but the steeering wheel vibrates more the right than on the left..
(This post was edited by MatthieuA on Oct 10, 2022, 3:22 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 10, 2022, 3:41 AM
Post #2 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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It's been to all those people and no clues yet with wild problems like that? Are any REAL mechanics?
Understood the local roads stink where I am too are causing real damage to vehicles like this bad.
IDK - you shouldn't be driving it rather find the right shop with techs that can't miss this it's way too wrong as described must be serious damage another part or real damage a real alignment should show it's right or what's off way too much?
I don't think this model is sold to the US where site is doesn't matter it's in too much trouble to ignore.
Dealer of these perhaps? The mechanics frequently leave as you said another is there later to get your car back, pay for work should see notes of problems and be able to explain to you what was found still in need if that shop doesn't do that specific work?
Tom
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 10, 2022, 4:28 AM
Post #3 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Thanks for the quick reply.
Well, to be fair I didn't shared this issue with all the mechanics. I like challenges so I did my things on my own. And I want to find out on my own what's wrong too ahah.
At the balancing they told me to go to bmw directly
The 3rd tire shop that spotted my bent rim the guys were nice and the let me follow the alignment. They didn't detect anything wrong with suspension components
I understand your concern though.
But the fact that the car's steering is still precise and breaks fine doesn't make me worry as much as you. It's inconvenient sure but.. Yeah.
I should go to a mechanic yeah but hard to find time.
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 10, 2022, 4:58 AM
Post #5 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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I went to a wheel shop that repaired it, and it is in the rear now.
(This post was edited by MatthieuA on Oct 10, 2022, 4:59 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 10, 2022, 6:34 AM
Post #6 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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If it's really fixed that's not the issue. Tire that was on it may not be so good.
All that isn't enough so far to do this wild stuff but tires always needed to be good with even wear a must for some layouts.
IDK an idea is some rotors, even if drum rear brakes (you said they could pulse on hard stops) can drop debris/rust and not hold wheel true to hubs feel like all hell YOU CLEAN that out - that issue shows up right away moving a wheel if brake rotors/drums move just from taking wheel off vs needing to pull them off.
Roads don't do that, wear or debris does.
How is rack and pinion (presumably IDK the layout) on this car?
IDK how it passed any alignment unless you did that with strings yourself isn't enough but OK till you get a real job done + really had it way off,
Tom
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 10, 2022, 6:55 AM
Post #7 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Hey Tom
I got the 2 alignments reports with everything on the green, made at specialised tire shops (as i said one before and one after the tie rod change)
For the rim yeah they got this machine that could measure the defect before and after the repair and apparently I'm in the bmw range.
thanks for your hint, maybe it comes from there. The rotor are quite rusty. I actually cleaned the part in contact with the wheel but not the part in contact with the hub.
I know I have to change them soon as they are as old as the car.
What do you mean by how is the rack and pinion? When I removed the old inner tie rod I didn't see anything worn out on the rack. Steeering fluid is OK (nice red color and level ok). I don't have noises or looseness when I turn the wheel.
I'll remove and clean that then and keep you up.
Matthieu
(This post was edited by MatthieuA on Oct 10, 2022, 7:02 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Oct 10, 2022, 7:12 AM
Post #8 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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OK - Getting better clues now. Take the rotors off and scrape off where they contact hubs and again inside rotors.
Can prevent that with grease on hub where it touches unseen.
IF you spun the wheel you'd see the wheel is a mess.
That is common to me if ignored ruins rotor, tire and IDK what mess it could do to brakes - must look the same L and R sides.
Rack? It's mounted IDK if hit or what see if it's mounted well still - lousy roads - does a lot of damage.
Anything that turns with speed of vehicle has to be right. Best if all suspension is perfect too doesn't' cause the wobble rather makes it lots worse - as you said can go away at a higher speed!
If brakes use a bracket and pin those in time need to be re-greased or tossed for new.
If a brake dragging the heat can warp rotors then not do it? If you ever drove it enough one would feel warm just touching that wheel go look for why.
Last for now beware of cheaper parts or cloned ones I've had a horrible time with junky new stuff out of the box really messes you up thinking it can't be the issue anymore and still is!
Tom
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 10, 2022, 8:04 AM
Post #9 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Thanks for the clues. I will go for that.
Can brakes/rotors issue cause steering problem without touching the brakes? fuel consumption would increase too wouldn't it?
Yes the rack is mounted still.
(This post was edited by MatthieuA on Oct 10, 2022, 9:24 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 10, 2022, 9:28 AM
Post #10 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Brakes can totally mess up steering. If one side is stronger or dragging will pull, worse when applied then the hotter one gets less grip pull the other way.
Brake styles that use brackets the pins must slide easily to retract use a rubber friendly brake grease only. If beyond fix can get those redone do both on an axle - you want them even.
Caliper either pistons get sticky or almost totally stuck - same effects.
It ALL matters. The flex hose can allow pressure in but lock it from coming back out then work fine for a while - and repeat?
Any issue hope it stays broken/improper so testing proves it.
One common cause for erratic stuff with brakes other than just rust is if submerged in water, the cool quickly sucks water in can't really get out then later they go nuts like this.
None of this is definite you rule things out on a "maybe" list till it's found.
Super overheated brakes usually leave clues like a bluish color to friction surface of rotors (one side worse than the other as already said do the same fix on both sides,
Tom
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 11, 2022, 7:04 AM
Post #11 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Makes sense. Thanks for the advice I'll keep you updated.
Yeah I noticed this morning, the steeering pulls the opposite side when I brake
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 11, 2022, 7:56 AM
Post #12 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Now almost sure this is one of already listed brake problems - is frozen to apply also means can't retract (stays or capable of lingering braking) all apart you'd notice which item except intermittent flex hose. BTW some are long and spin around and kink most you can't really if you found it that way I'd toss all that stuff can't trust it anymore,
Tom
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MatthieuA
Novice
Oct 14, 2022, 12:21 AM
Post #13 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Hey
So little update
I tried to remove the brake disc, it was stuck hard.
So, as I didn't Want to damage it I bought new rotors and pads. Wait and see
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 14, 2022, 1:27 AM
Post #14 of 14
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Re: Steering wobbles/pulsations
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Understood. Rotors and pads take the hit the problem would by the hydraulic parts not those as the source.
It's educated guessing till you prove what is or was wrong wasn't those but would take the hit for wear and look abused. IDK till you check but you'll toss those again (or should) if a caliper, hose, or bracket is the real issue!
Tom
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