Subject: Can't Figure Out the Shimmy Author: gnezer : member since February, 2008 : 7 posts Posted on: 2009-10-28 08:36:49

Have had a 01 740iL for 3 years now. Year and a half ago I started to get the steering wheel shimmy at about 55 mph. Replaced the lower control arms and traction struts on both sides, and the front shocks/struts. Seemed to cure most of it. Then read in this forum the issue of hub centric rings, and after testing the car with the stock basket wheels and tires (which smoothed things out a bit more), I installed the rings for my after market parallel M wheels. That seemed to take care of most all of the turbulence.

Now the shimmy is back. Thought it might be time for an alignment. Alignmnent guy said the left lower control arm (ball joint) was bad. I replaced it, and went back for an alignment. I also asked him to check real hard for any other bad front end components. He said all looks good. Now the shimmy is as bad as ever.

Curious thing though is sometimes, especially if I drive over some real bumps (like a railroad crossing) the shimmy will go away for a few miles, only to return. Also, at the risk of piling on...I've got a bit of tramlining going on, and a clunking sound on the front right side, going over bumps.

Last point... I did as was suggested here, in installing the control arms and not tightening them until under load.

Any thoughts on what to replace next? Do I go back and replace the upper and lower control arms again? Or start with center link, tie rod ends, etc?

• Can't Figure Out the Shimmy - gnezer 2009-10-28 08:36:49 (88 views)
  • I feel your pain - I've replaced the following: - Michael Schuerger 2009-10-30 09:52:24 (19 views)
    • I have a 55-70 shimmy. I need to swap wheels with someone - sdmike 2009-10-30 10:43:21 (12 views)
      • Had that too, changed front tires - gone. Swap w/someone to be sure (nt) - Shled℠ 2009-10-30 23:30:26 (10 views)
      • Mike, Your M-pars are oem, correct? When was your last alignment and how... - bghark 2009-10-30 11:45:23 (6 views)
        • OEM M-pars, and last alignment was when I got tires about 20k miles ago - sdmike 2009-10-30 18:38:19 (7 views)
          • two words....Ti-ers. I would bet it is the tires acting up if it is..... - bghark 2009-10-30 19:00:26 (9 views)
            • I DID stop by, you just didn't show up. LOL (nt) - sdmike 2009-10-30 19:28:33 (10 views)
  • What brand parts are you using? I replace Thrust arm bushings every 15K.... - bghark 2009-10-30 09:16:49 (18 views)
    • Re: What brand parts are you using? I replace Thrust arm bushings every 15K.... - gnezer 2009-10-30 18:28:07 (17 views)
      • IMHO, they only last 15k. After that I start to feel vibration.... - bghark 2009-10-30 18:56:16 (22 views)
        • Re: IMHO, they only last 15k. After that I start to feel vibration.... - gnezer 2009-11-01 16:17:58 (10 views)
          • Re: An update - gnezer 2009-11-06 19:07:09 (8 views)
            • Re: Think I figured it out... - gnezer 2009-11-10 08:16:59 (4 views)
  • Sounds like a bad tie rod and/or idler arm bushing. - bulax99 2009-10-28 09:34:36 (30 views)
    • Re: Sounds like a bad tie rod and/or idler arm bushing. - gnezer 2009-10-29 19:16:24 (15 views)