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[Beamer1996]

Hi, I have a 2011 328xi and it has been shaking a lot every time I go over 50 mph.

I bought new wheels because my old wheels where slightly bent and I was tired of the little vibration of my steering wheel. It was very minimal, I could barely feel it, but I thought I should get new wheels anyways. I bought the new wheels and had them installed and had the car balanced. When I drove the steering wheel shook vigorously when I went over 50 mph; so I took it back to the shop and got it rebalanced. The mechanic said the previous mechanic didn't do the balancing correctly and that he fixed it, but the shaking still didn't stop. At this point I have no idea what is causing this shaking. I was thinking it might be the alignment but my car doesn't pull to any side when I let go of the steering wheel. I do not think that there is anything wrong with the suspension, because my car was fine before and the tires don't have any bumps and the tire thread is fine. I took it to another mechanic, he put it on the lift and noticed that when you push the gas the rear drive shaft shakes a little. My car is four wheel drive so it has two drive shafts, but I was still confused that if it is the rear drive shaft then why does my steering wheel shake. I have no other symptoms of the drive shaft being broken other then the shacking.

So at this point I am really worried because I have stopped driving the car and I do not know what to do. Do you guys have any suggestions as to what it could be?

[inspired626]

What kind of wheels are they? OEM or aftermarket?

If aftermarket, are they hub centric? If not, making them hub centric will solve your issue.

[kong24680]

Could be your wheel bearings. I've had shaking, vibration issues twice and both time it was wheel bearings that fixed the problem. Parts are cheap but labor is very expensive.

[Beamer1996]

Originally Posted by inspired626

What kind of wheels are they? OEM or aftermarket?

If aftermarket, are they hub centric? If not, making them hub centric will solve your issue.

They are aftermarket wheels. They are MOTEGI MR118, I've never bought hub centric rings, can you explain to me how I can figure out what size I need, if I need them.

And I don't think it's the wheel bearings because I had my old rims on and they didn't shake other then the wheels being bent shaking, but I will look in to it.


Thanks for the responses!

[Fundguy1]

Tires?

[inspired626]

According to Motegi's site, the hub bore on the wheel is 74.1. Your car's hub bore is 72.6. You will need 74.1 to 72.6 hub rings. You can find them online for like $10 for a set.

The extra gap between the wheel & the hub is causing your vibration.

Originally Posted by Beamer1996

They are aftermarket wheels. They are MOTEGI MR118, I've never bought hub centric rings, can you explain to me how I can figure out what size I need, if I need them.

And I don't think it's the wheel bearings because I had my old rims on and they didn't shake other then the wheels being bent shaking, but I will look in to it.


Thanks for the responses!

[Beamer1996]

Originally Posted by inspired626

According to Motegi's site, the hub bore on the wheel is 74.1. Your car's hub bore is 72.6. You will need 74.1 to 72.6 hub rings. You can find them online for like $10 for a set.

The extra gap between the wheel & the hub is causing your vibration.

Thank you for your response! I ordered the hub rings for the size you suggested and they should be here next week, I'll let you know if they work.

[Beamer1996]

Sorry guys for the late response, I was on vacation and just got back yesterday and got the rings installed today. Anyways, I got the rings installed and the shaking is still happening. I'm extremely stressed out about this and don't know what to do, do you guys have any other suggestions?

[FEDE/E92]

What tires do you have????

[Beamer1996]

Originally Posted by FEDE/E92

What tires do you have????

Pirelli all season tires

size: 225/45/17

[Beamer1996]

Bump

[bmuum3]

See if you can borrow set of wheels from someone to eliminate wheels bearing and such. At least you will know that it is the wheels/tires causing the issue.

[bmw325i]

Did you have them road force balanced? Did it improve even slightly after balancing the second time and when the rings were installed?

[UPWheels]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Did you have them road force balanced? Did it improve even slightly after balancing the second time and when the rings were installed?

+1

We also recommend to have them Road Force balanced. We've fixed balancing issues from Discount Tires, Big Os, and few other shops, using our Road Force GSP9700.

http://www.hunter.com/gsp9700

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Sales @ UPWheels.com * Ph. 657.888.4UPW * FacebookDOTcom/UPWheels

[Beamer1996]

So the rings did help now the steering vibrates a little between 50-65 mph. Again something that would be an issue with balancing, but I've had my balancing done by 2 different shops multiple times at each shop. So I'm really confused. I noticed my cars alignment is a little off but the alignment was like that before the new wheels. Is it possible something could be wrong with the drive shaft or the tie rods?

[devlinsky]

I have exactly the same situation.
07 335xi
KW V1 suspension
Factory 162 18" staggered wheels
Nokian zLine tyres

Car has been several times checked.
Bearings are fine.
Bushings, all suspension parts are ok.
Tyres changed to new ones.
Balanced again on Hunter machine with Road Force calibrations.
Wheels checked - all fine.
Hub centric rings, 72.6 / 74.0 installed.
On other set of tyres, 17" - car is super smooth. On these 18" - still shakes.

This drives me nuts. What should I/we check next?

[devlinsky]

Another day at another shop - testing another set of hub centric rings. Apparently, factory 162 18" wheels were made with two bore sizes - 72.6 and 74.0 for 5 series car. I seem to have the latter.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by devlinsky

Another day at another shop - testing another set of hub centric rings. Apparently, factory 162 18" wheels were made with two bore sizes - 72.6 and 74.0 for 5 series car. I seem to have the latter.

I don't think the E60 (5er) ever used the 162's.
The E60 also uses 72.6 hub size like the 3 series.

The E60 does use a wheel very similar to the 189's on the Sport Package
LCI 528i. But again, it also shares the standard 72.6 hub.

Are u saying you have 162 wheels with a 74.0 centerbore? Are they OEM or replicas?

[devlinsky]

Thanks for your input - it was mechanic's opinion, I don't know 5 series platform enough and have never seen e60 on 162 wheels.

Yes, I have 162 staggered wheels. After second measurement, it seems that they have even smaller centre bore - about 73.7.
They seem to be OEM with all the markings and numbers. Any way to check it for sure?
Then - if they are OEM - why do I have all those adventures with them?

My next step will be machining the centre bore to 74.1 and custom made hub centric rings to make sure it all fits.

[whyzee125]

Likely control arm bushings or CV axles

Originally Posted by devlinsky

My next step will be machining the centre bore to 74.1 and custom made hub centric rings to make sure it all fits.

That sounds like a gigantic waste of time & money; I assure you, your problem lies elsewhere.

[#Tee]

Easiest way to troubleshoot this before you go boring out the wheels and wasting more money.

find a friend or someone at a car meet and ask if you can swap wheels (known good set/tires). give him a good massage and some zimas for it...he'll doooet any guy would.

If the whole car shaking stops then you know your drive shaft bushing is ok. your front tie rod bushings/control arm bushing are ok. Ive seen used or new tires with internal belt separation causing the steering wheel or car shake. normally if the car shakes the rears are not balanced and if the steering wheel shakes the fronts arent.