Weird Vibration Between 120-170kph (75-105mph)

Ralf_135i · 08-26-2014, 09:42 PM

Hello folks,

I have a 2008 BMW 135i with 45,000km (28,000miles) and I have a strange vibration from the front of the car... It's been there for months now, mainly after the winter. Don't drive it the winter. The car is tracked, KW Clubsports, upgraded front sway bar, transmission mounts, these are the things we've done to stiffen it up. The interior is mostly stripped as well. But the vibration shakes the whole front end. Hood, dash, gauges, it violently vibrates between 120-170kph... I have had the car on the hoist many times searching for the problem. Rear end is all secure, diff, drive shaft, I can't seem to locate it. Same with the front, nothing shows signs of being lose or weak... I am completely stumped. I don't understand what's causing it. I've talked to many different mechanics and for their opinions but they don't know of what it could be... I'm here in hope someone has experienced these symptoms. Brakes are also good. Any help is greatly appreciated!

ShocknAwe · 08-26-2014, 10:13 PM

Hate to throw in the stupid simple suggestion, but, have you checked to make sure your wheel(s) aren't bent?

Ralf_135i · 08-26-2014, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Hate to throw in the stupid simple suggestion, but, have you checked to make sure your wheel(s) aren't bent?

Should have mentioned that... Tried a set of 335i wheels and no difference...

ShocknAwe · 08-26-2014, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

Should have mentioned that... Tried a set of 335i wheels and no difference...

OK. To continue with basics: Clean accident history (no possibility for frame damage)?

Ralf_135i · 08-27-2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

OK. To continue with basics: Clean accident history (no possibility for frame damage)?

Yes it did have accident. But I only noticed said vibration this year, owned the car 2 years and installed the KW's maybe 2 months after purchasing the car? Tried again today to see if anything changed with my attempts, but it's still there...

ShocknAwe · 08-27-2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

Yes it did have accident. But I only noticed said vibration this year, owned the car 2 years and installed the KW's maybe 2 months after purchasing the car? Tried again today to see if anything changed with my attempts, but it's still there...

Does the steering vibrate as well or is it just the dash/console etc?

chris82 · 08-27-2014, 08:57 PM

Alignment? That could be it. Maybe you hit a bad pothole or something over the winter that threw it off. Maybe some sort of bearing? How do the wheel hubs look? Are they rusted?

I can't believe a mechanic hasn't been able to pinpoint it yet . . .

MarkkyyMan · 08-28-2014, 03:42 AM

These suggestions might seem obvious but they are often overlooked.

Check your tires, sometimes tires get flat spots on them if they are not properly inflated during long winter storages.

Also might check that none of the wheel weights came off.

Ralf_135i · 08-30-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Does the steering vibrate as well or is it just the dash/console etc?

Yes!!! Please tell me you're on the right track lol

Ralf_135i · 08-30-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

Alignment? That could be it. Maybe you hit a bad pothole or something over the winter that threw it off. Maybe some sort of bearing? How do the wheel hubs look? Are they rusted?

I can't believe a mechanic hasn't been able to pinpoint it yet . . .

Everything up front is super tight... No signs of play anywhere...

Ralf_135i · 08-30-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

These suggestions might seem obvious but they are often overlooked.

Check your tires, sometimes tires get flat spots on them if they are not properly inflated during long winter storages.

Also might check that none of the wheel weights came off.

Tried the 335i tires from the other car, still the same...

Ralf_135i · 08-30-2014, 04:56 PM

UPDATE: I have installed AKG Motor Mounts, and notice bit less vibration... Although, making a hard shift (high rpm rev match) from 4th to 3rd the vibration felt hard from the rear.. Is it possible that it's the driveshaft all along? Or would that vibration be more rearly located? I'm no mechanic so trying to get to the bottom of this is hard

128Convertibleguy · 08-30-2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

UPDATE: I have installed AKG Motor Mounts, and notice bit less vibration... Although, making a hard shift (high rpm rev match) from 4th to 3rd the vibration felt hard from the rear.. Is it possible that it's the driveshaft all along? Or would that vibration be more rearly located? I'm no mechanic so trying to get to the bottom of this is hard

You have a serious problem. It could go south badly and crash the car. This needs a professional, not us random Internet guys guessing.

Ralf_135i · 09-12-2014, 10:43 PM

UPDATE AGAIN: Went to the race track with problem still being there... Needless to say, during my first session it was there, and during my second session it wasn't.. The whole weekend to follow (3 day event, Friday-Sunday) not a single sign of this.. Guess we have a self healing car?

lastMleft · 09-12-2014, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

UPDATE AGAIN: Went to the race track with problem still being there... Needless to say, during my first session it was there, and during my second session it wasn't.. The whole weekend to follow (3 day event, Friday-Sunday) not a single sign of this.. Guess we have a self healing car?

Or an elusive dangerous one, be careful.

chris82 · 09-13-2014, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf_135i

UPDATE AGAIN: Went to the race track with problem still being there... Needless to say, during my first session it was there, and during my second session it wasn't.. The whole weekend to follow (3 day event, Friday-Sunday) not a single sign of this.. Guess we have a self healing car?

Sounds ridiculous but maybe the hard driving knocked something back in place? That's bizarre that you installed AKG motor mounts and see LESS vibration; they usually cause more lol

08-26-2014, 09:42 PM	#1
Ralf_135i Enlisted Member 5 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Weird Vibration Between 120-170kph (75-105mph) Hello folks, I have a 2008 BMW 135i with 45,000km (28,000miles) and I have a strange vibration from the front of the car... It's been there for months now, mainly after the winter. Don't drive it the winter. The car is tracked, KW Clubsports, upgraded front sway bar, transmission mounts, these are the things we've done to stiffen it up. The interior is mostly stripped as well. But the vibration shakes the whole front end. Hood, dash, gauges, it violently vibrates between 120-170kph... I have had the car on the hoist many times searching for the problem. Rear end is all secure, diff, drive shaft, I can't seem to locate it. Same with the front, nothing shows signs of being lose or weak... I am completely stumped. I don't understand what's causing it. I've talked to many different mechanics and for their opinions but they don't know of what it could be... I'm here in hope someone has experienced these symptoms. Brakes are also good. Any help is greatly appreciated! __________________ ///\|\/\|
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08-26-2014, 10:13 PM	#2
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,894 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Hate to throw in the stupid simple suggestion, but, have you checked to make sure your wheel(s) aren't bent? __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-27-2014, 08:57 PM	#7
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	Alignment? That could be it. Maybe you hit a bad pothole or something over the winter that threw it off. Maybe some sort of bearing? How do the wheel hubs look? Are they rusted? I can't believe a mechanic hasn't been able to pinpoint it yet . . .
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08-28-2014, 03:42 AM	#8
MarkkyyMan Captain 38 Rep 701 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana, U.S. iTrader: (0)	These suggestions might seem obvious but they are often overlooked. Check your tires, sometimes tires get flat spots on them if they are not properly inflated during long winter storages. Also might check that none of the wheel weights came off.
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08-30-2014, 04:56 PM	#12
Ralf_135i Enlisted Member 5 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	UPDATE: I have installed AKG Motor Mounts, and notice bit less vibration... Although, making a hard shift (high rpm rev match) from 4th to 3rd the vibration felt hard from the rear.. Is it possible that it's the driveshaft all along? Or would that vibration be more rearly located? I'm no mechanic so trying to get to the bottom of this is hard
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09-12-2014, 10:43 PM	#14
Ralf_135i Enlisted Member 5 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	UPDATE AGAIN: Went to the race track with problem still being there... Needless to say, during my first session it was there, and during my second session it wasn't.. The whole weekend to follow (3 day event, Friday-Sunday) not a single sign of this.. Guess we have a self healing car?
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