E39 540 steering judder
Discussion
My steering judders just over 50mph and feels perfectly fine at lower and higher speeds. Thought this could be caused by either wheel inbalance or misalignment. However, I've checked my wheels and they are perfectly balanced and according to the garage misalignment only causes the car to pull to a side which mine doesn't. So what could be the cause?
A couple of suggestions:
Is there a brake disc slightly out of line? This caused a similar judder on a past car of mine a couple of years ago (again, only between quite a narrow speed band). But this also caused quite a noticable judder under braking - does yours?
Alternatively, is one of the wheels slightly out of "round"? Square wheels don't roll so well and it seems this isn't always picked up when you get them balanced.
Is there a brake disc slightly out of line? This caused a similar judder on a past car of mine a couple of years ago (again, only between quite a narrow speed band). But this also caused quite a noticable judder under braking - does yours?
Alternatively, is one of the wheels slightly out of "round"? Square wheels don't roll so well and it seems this isn't always picked up when you get them balanced.
Not an uncommon complaint with E39 owners - I had a similar issue with my 535. I solved it by making sure the tyres were properly inflated! It sounds trite, but they were a bit low and I hadn't realised. A quick visit to Tesco and their digital tyre pump and everything was fine and dandy. Worth a try I would suggest, as it'll be the cheapest solution!
UncleM said:
My steering judders just over 50mph and feels perfectly fine at lower and higher speeds. Thought this could be caused by either wheel inbalance or misalignment. However, I've checked my wheels and they are perfectly balanced and according to the garage misalignment only causes the car to pull to a side which mine doesn't. So what could be the cause?
My 535 does this but not all the time, and also under braking. I have suspected bushes, but which ones? I think this may have something to do with odd tyre wear too on off-side front tyre. Another thing is that the front near-side seems a tad higher than the other side?
Generally it is the inner track control arm bushes number 6 in this pic
from here [url]www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE62&mospid=47548&btnr=31_0264&hg=31&fg=05[/url]
they are damped with an oil in the rubber that can split and leak out.
from here [url]www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE62&mospid=47548&btnr=31_0264&hg=31&fg=05[/url]
they are damped with an oil in the rubber that can split and leak out.
Fixedwheelnut said:
Generally it is the inner track control arm bushes number 6 in this pic
from here [url]www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE62&mospid=47548&btnr=31_0264&hg=31&fg=05[/url]
they are damped with an oil in the rubber that can split and leak out.
from here [url]www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE62&mospid=47548&btnr=31_0264&hg=31&fg=05[/url]
they are damped with an oil in the rubber that can split and leak out.
Thanks for the reply FWN, can I jack the car up and have a poke about to find 'movement' in the said bush? Is it obvious to see?
Its more of a feel than movement as they do have movement anyway [designed in] but if they leak out [look for stains underneath] they have a loose feel to the movement.
One tip with the car up on stands lightly jack up the wheel you want to check to take the strain off the suspension hanging down on the bushes, then check for movement at the inner joints.
One tip with the car up on stands lightly jack up the wheel you want to check to take the strain off the suspension hanging down on the bushes, then check for movement at the inner joints.
Just had a nose under the car a found something interesting that has probably caused the higher near side. I know the front shocks have been worked on (I can see the socket marks around the outside of the retaining nuts). As the 'shock' connects onto the hub carrier the n/s seems to be not 'through' the same amount as the o/s by about 1", I would assume that this also affects the camber of the wheels and thus caused the odd wear on the outer edge of the o/s tyre.
I'm going to get the wheels off later and have a proper look.
Is there a 'stop' on the 'shock' to locate the hub properly or is it supposed to be variable?
As for the 'bush', I can't see any evidence of oil stain below, is this conclusive or may the bush still be defective?
thanks in advance
James.
I'm going to get the wheels off later and have a proper look.
Is there a 'stop' on the 'shock' to locate the hub properly or is it supposed to be variable?
As for the 'bush', I can't see any evidence of oil stain below, is this conclusive or may the bush still be defective?
thanks in advance
James.
O.k thanks FWN,
Had a go earlier at putting the strut where it should be. There doesn't seem to be a shamfered lip on it. I matched it up with the other side though, there was about 40mm difference! They bottom of both struts is now about 5-8mm above the upside down bolts on the bottom of the hub. Not sure if this is right but at least it sits level now!
Back to the original post, I can see that the anti-roll bar bushes are shot and despite there being no evidence of oil leakage the inner track control arm bushes are past their best. So I'm going to change the lot. Euro car parts..............
Thanks again for your advice
James.
Had a go earlier at putting the strut where it should be. There doesn't seem to be a shamfered lip on it. I matched it up with the other side though, there was about 40mm difference! They bottom of both struts is now about 5-8mm above the upside down bolts on the bottom of the hub. Not sure if this is right but at least it sits level now!
Back to the original post, I can see that the anti-roll bar bushes are shot and despite there being no evidence of oil leakage the inner track control arm bushes are past their best. So I'm going to change the lot. Euro car parts..............
Thanks again for your advice
James.
ECP and GSF useless.
Went to main dealer to get new anti-roll bar and Lower track control arm bushes, (this will cost some I thought). The whole lot only cost £37.00!
LTCA bushes were a bit of pig to change, but the ARB bushes were a doddle. One of the track contol arm bushes was bone dry inside (had to destroy to remove from arm!) looks like oil left it many years ago! Both anti-roll bar bushes were about twice the inner diameter they should have been (compared side-by-side to the new ones).
Jobs a gooden, like a different car (for all the good reasons!) on the test drive. Wobble cured.
Went to main dealer to get new anti-roll bar and Lower track control arm bushes, (this will cost some I thought). The whole lot only cost £37.00!
LTCA bushes were a bit of pig to change, but the ARB bushes were a doddle. One of the track contol arm bushes was bone dry inside (had to destroy to remove from arm!) looks like oil left it many years ago! Both anti-roll bar bushes were about twice the inner diameter they should have been (compared side-by-side to the new ones).
Jobs a gooden, like a different car (for all the good reasons!) on the test drive. Wobble cured.
peaktorque said:
ECP and GSF useless.
Went to main dealer to get new anti-roll bar and Lower track control arm bushes, (this will cost some I thought). The whole lot only cost £37.00!
LTCA bushes were a bit of pig to change, but the ARB bushes were a doddle. One of the track contol arm bushes was bone dry inside (had to destroy to remove from arm!) looks like oil left it many years ago! Both anti-roll bar bushes were about twice the inner diameter they should have been (compared side-by-side to the new ones).
Jobs a gooden, like a different car (for all the good reasons!) on the test drive. Wobble cured.
Went to main dealer to get new anti-roll bar and Lower track control arm bushes, (this will cost some I thought). The whole lot only cost £37.00!
LTCA bushes were a bit of pig to change, but the ARB bushes were a doddle. One of the track contol arm bushes was bone dry inside (had to destroy to remove from arm!) looks like oil left it many years ago! Both anti-roll bar bushes were about twice the inner diameter they should have been (compared side-by-side to the new ones).
Jobs a gooden, like a different car (for all the good reasons!) on the test drive. Wobble cured.
Its amazing how much this kind of thing can change a car and its amazing how little the parts cost!
I recently had my rear axle carrier bushes (beercans) anti roll bar linkages and antiroll bar bushes replaced for the grand total of £200 supplied and fitted....everywhere else wanted in excess of £300
apprently the beercans were a sod to change having been on the car for its 15 year life and all 241800+ miles
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