Car feels wobbly...

Yvette · 07-10-2011, 12:27 AM

ok, I posted earlier about dealershop has put 255 in the front and 225 in the rear. Today, they had put it back properly. Here is the interesting thing, please share some ideas guys.

1. after I get the car back, Flat tire sign came up after 5 min driving. They told me just to reset it.

2. When I go over 40 mph + car feels wobbly, and steering wheel shakes a little (*vibrating). over 70 mph+ , it definitely shakes more. Especially when I let go off the gas, car is wobbly. If i have to describe in words, it feels as I am driving on flat tire, I checked the tire air pressure, they are all fine.

Could this be alignment? I assume before I picked this car up, this car had 255/35 in the front 225/40 in the rear. They might have aligned with wheels installed backward. I definitely feel difference after they put back wheels properly. Anyone have ideas what could it be? I am going to call them up on Monday and see what they say about it.

SS e93 · 07-10-2011, 01:33 AM

Sounds more like a balancing issue. Did you confirm if the tires were installed correctly, or did they have to reinstall also? I doubt they did an alignment if all they did was mount new rims. You don't need to unless you change suspension components.

Yvette · 07-10-2011, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icyhot e92

Sounds more like a balancing issue. Did you confirm if the tires were installed correctly, or did they have to reinstall also? I doubt they did an alignment if all they did was mount new rims. You don't need to unless you change suspension components.

they told me they only put rears to front and front to rears only.
What if they did alignment when REAR was installed in FRONT, if that is the case don't I need new alignment?

E36graduate · 07-10-2011, 05:21 AM

Stock staggered rims? Did they mount the wider rear rims on the front?

Or....did they take your car for a joy ride and warp your rotors? Or....are your ball joints and especially your thrust arm (control arm) bushings worn? thrust arm bushings tend to make your car feel wobbly when braking and such?

Yvette · 07-10-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36graduate

Stock staggered rims? Did they mount the wider rear rims on the front?

Or....did they take your car for a joy ride and warp your rotors? Or....are your ball joints and especially your thrust arm (control arm) bushings worn? thrust arm bushings tend to make your car feel wobbly when braking and such?

Not wobbly when in braking..
Wobbly all the time when cruising.
They did put the wheels back properly now. It was not wobbly when the wheels were installed backward, but now is wobbly with wheels installed properly.

Fozzy · 07-10-2011, 11:36 AM

uneven tire wear from previous install, balancing/ mounting or alignment issue are three most likely in that order. Check tire pressure too just to eliminate another variable.

Ho long did you run with the wrong set up on? Long enough to wear the tires before they "rotated" them.

I'd go to a new place if they can't figure out the bigger wheels go on the back to begin with. Not sure they'd know how to balance a tire correctly.

Yvette · 07-10-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzy

uneven tire wear from previous install, balancing/ mounting or alignment issue are three most likely in that order. Check tire pressure too just to eliminate another variable.

Ho long did you run with the wrong set up on? Long enough to wear the tires before they "rotated" them.

I'd go to a new place if they can't figure out the bigger wheels go on the back to begin with. Not sure they'd know how to balance a tire correctly.

Tires were like brand new and after I picked it up I ran about 700 miles....

fdriller9 · 07-10-2011, 12:34 PM

1) Probably because you swapped the wheels....you should always reset FTM/TPMS after changing wheels or adjusting tire pressures.

2) Sounds like they put the wheels on the way they did to prevent the shimming from being felt in the steering wheel....but they didn't realize the different wheel/tire sizes. You probably need to get the wheel balance. If that doesn't help, you may need a new wheel.

If you feel the vibration in the steering wheel, it's most likely an out of balance wheel or a bent wheel. Bent wheels can be balanced, but that will not always stop the vibration throughout the car.

On a square setup, you normally put the bent wheels in the back so you don't feel the vibration in the steering wheel. Can't do anything in your case except replace the wheel/have it repaired if possible.

sneaks · 07-10-2011, 08:56 PM

If it wasn't evident before you had new tires installed, one of your 225's is probably defective or mounted incorrectly. Alignment geometry is the same considering your wheel spokes arent bent (not likely)
The smoothness of the new tires might have revealed the thrust bushing wear.

Yvette · 07-10-2011, 10:50 PM

So frustrating
My butt vibrate as well at 70 mph
Hand vibrate is most frustrating

AWD Addict · 07-11-2011, 08:57 AM

If you feel the vibration in your butt, it's a rear wheel out of round / bent or in need of a balance.

If you feel it in the steering wheel, it's a front.

Get all of them road force balanced and you'll know what's up.

Yvette · 07-11-2011, 02:36 PM

I called the dealershop, they said they will balance the wheel for me.
since the steering wheel is straight, I guess I no need alignment.... correct?

michaelalex17 · 07-11-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

If you feel the vibration in your butt, it's a rear wheel out of round / bent or in need of a balance.

If you feel it in the steering wheel, it's a front.

Get all of them road force balanced and you'll know what's up.

+1000

Fozzy · 07-11-2011, 07:08 PM

alignment is about both steering wheel straight, but more so about the car pulling to one side.

need alignment if:
You drive on flat ground (hard to find) and the car consistently pulls to one side
steering wheel is off centre
Notice uneven wear on the tires
Dropped/ raised the car
Hit major pot holes

I get one done every two/ three years just to be safe even if there is no pulling to one side.

fdriller9 · 07-11-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzy

alignment is about both steering wheel straight, but more so about the car pulling to one side.

need alignment if:
You drive on flat ground (hard to find) and the car consistently pulls to one side
steering wheel is off centre
Notice uneven wear on the tires
Dropped/ raised the car
Hit major pot holes

I get one done every two/ three years just to be safe even if there is no pulling to one side.

What 2 or 3 years? I get an alignment done every time I unmount my summers and mount my winters.

I have a lifetime alignment package from Firestone though. So they are free now.

Fozzy · 07-13-2011, 09:46 AM

^ that may be ideal, but not worth the $$ for me, especially if it handles great and shows no uneven wear.

With free lifetime alignment I'd do it twice a year too.

07-10-2011, 12:27 AM	#1
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	Car feels wobbly... ok, I posted earlier about dealershop has put 255 in the front and 225 in the rear. Today, they had put it back properly. Here is the interesting thing, please share some ideas guys. 1. after I get the car back, Flat tire sign came up after 5 min driving. They told me just to reset it. 2. When I go over 40 mph + car feels wobbly, and steering wheel shakes a little (*vibrating). over 70 mph+ , it definitely shakes more. Especially when I let go off the gas, car is wobbly. If i have to describe in words, it feels as I am driving on flat tire, I checked the tire air pressure, they are all fine. Could this be alignment? I assume before I picked this car up, this car had 255/35 in the front 225/40 in the rear. They might have aligned with wheels installed backward. I definitely feel difference after they put back wheels properly. Anyone have ideas what could it be? I am going to call them up on Monday and see what they say about it.
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07-10-2011, 01:33 AM	#2
SS e93 Captain 27 Rep 850 Posts Drives: e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new york iTrader: (2)	Sounds more like a balancing issue. Did you confirm if the tires were installed correctly, or did they have to reinstall also? I doubt they did an alignment if all they did was mount new rims. You don't need to unless you change suspension components.
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07-10-2011, 05:21 AM	#4
E36graduate Lieutenant 58 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 2013 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southeastern MASS iTrader: (0)	Stock staggered rims? Did they mount the wider rear rims on the front? Or....did they take your car for a joy ride and warp your rotors? Or....are your ball joints and especially your thrust arm (control arm) bushings worn? thrust arm bushings tend to make your car feel wobbly when braking and such? __________________ 2008 335xi - 6MT - BMS JB4 G5i - BMS DCI - BMS OCC - BMS WW Meth - Spec Stage 2+ - Spec SMFW - 19" MVR Magnum's - KW V1's - TMS 12.5+20mm Spacers
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07-10-2011, 11:36 AM	#6
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	uneven tire wear from previous install, balancing/ mounting or alignment issue are three most likely in that order. Check tire pressure too just to eliminate another variable. Ho long did you run with the wrong set up on? Long enough to wear the tires before they "rotated" them. I'd go to a new place if they can't figure out the bigger wheels go on the back to begin with. Not sure they'd know how to balance a tire correctly.
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07-10-2011, 12:34 PM	#8
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	1) Probably because you swapped the wheels....you should always reset FTM/TPMS after changing wheels or adjusting tire pressures. 2) Sounds like they put the wheels on the way they did to prevent the shimming from being felt in the steering wheel....but they didn't realize the different wheel/tire sizes. You probably need to get the wheel balance. If that doesn't help, you may need a new wheel. If you feel the vibration in the steering wheel, it's most likely an out of balance wheel or a bent wheel. Bent wheels can be balanced, but that will not always stop the vibration throughout the car. On a square setup, you normally put the bent wheels in the back so you don't feel the vibration in the steering wheel. Can't do anything in your case except replace the wheel/have it repaired if possible.
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07-10-2011, 08:56 PM	#9
sneaks Lieutenant 17 Rep 431 Posts Drives: '08 335xi Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: 24 Sussex iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	If it wasn't evident before you had new tires installed, one of your 225's is probably defective or mounted incorrectly. Alignment geometry is the same considering your wheel spokes arent bent (not likely) The smoothness of the new tires might have revealed the thrust bushing wear.
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07-10-2011, 10:50 PM	#10
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	So frustrating My butt vibrate as well at 70 mph Hand vibrate is most frustrating
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07-11-2011, 08:57 AM	#11
AWD Addict Chief Executive 300 Rep 2,886 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	If you feel the vibration in your butt, it's a rear wheel out of round / bent or in need of a balance. If you feel it in the steering wheel, it's a front. Get all of them road force balanced and you'll know what's up.
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07-11-2011, 02:36 PM	#12
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	I called the dealershop, they said they will balance the wheel for me. since the steering wheel is straight, I guess I no need alignment.... correct?
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07-11-2011, 07:08 PM	#14
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	alignment is about both steering wheel straight, but more so about the car pulling to one side. need alignment if: You drive on flat ground (hard to find) and the car consistently pulls to one side steering wheel is off centre Notice uneven wear on the tires Dropped/ raised the car Hit major pot holes I get one done every two/ three years just to be safe even if there is no pulling to one side.
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07-13-2011, 09:46 AM	#16
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	^ that may be ideal, but not worth the $$ for me, especially if it handles great and shows no uneven wear. With free lifetime alignment I'd do it twice a year too.
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