View Full Version : Occasional Steering Wheel vibrations
I've been having weird steering wheels vibrations recently. The issue first showed itself way back in 2019 just before I put the car away for winter. The steering wheel just started to move slightly left and right on its own. I pulled over into the parking because I thought the lug nuts were loose but when I checked them, they were all torqued down. I also checked the tires visually for any bubbles but saw nothing. I started driving and the issue went away, so I had thought maybe something got stuck to one of the tires and it came off before I could check, so I put the car away for the winter.
Fast forward to 2020, where I drove the car for about 12k miles and the issue didn't show up even once.
Fast forward to 2021, the issue showed up 3 out of the last 5 times I drove the car. I start to drive the car normally, everything seems fine, but suddenly, the steering wheels starts to vibrate. It is definitely dependent on wheel speed. Every time this happens, I pull the car over into a parking lot to check what I can, everything seems normal. I start driving again and almost always the vibrations stop. This one time I was paying close attention and I noticed that it started after I braked quite hard so I pulled into a parking lot after driving for a mile or two and noticed that the driver side front caliper was slightly warmer than the passenger side front. I start driving after chekcing and as usual the vibrations stop. I dont think the vibrations go away while I'm driving, they only stop once I stop the car completely and wait a couple of minutes.
Googling the problem seemed to indicate warped calipers (unlikely since the issue wouldn't be sporadic), sticky caliper, worn out steering guibo, and maybe something wrong with the steering rack itself. I am inclined to think sticky caliper due to the difference in caliper temperature but I am not certain. I am planning on bleeding the brakes this weekend as a first step but wanted to check with folks here to see if they have any other ideas/suggestions?
Thanks!
Galapolis
05-20-2021, 07:31 AM
This sounds vaguely like the issue that I had, which turned out to be broken engine mounts. Have you checked yours?
This sounds vaguely like the issue that I had, which turned out to be broken engine mounts. Have you checked yours?
Oh I haven’t thought of that at all. I haven’t checked them but I’m sure they’re due for a change considering they’re original and car now had ~205k miles but I’m not sure if they’re broken.
I will check them later today. anything in particular I need to do or just check them visually?
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Galapolis
05-20-2021, 08:25 AM
Oh I haven’t thought of that at all. I haven’t checked them but I’m sure they’re due for a change considering they’re original and car now had ~205k miles but I’m not sure if they’re broken.
I will check them later today. anything in particular I need to do or just check them visually?
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It should be pretty obvious if the rubber has split in half. I would replace them regardless if you suspect they are original.
BMWCurves
05-20-2021, 10:04 AM
Your thought process was about the same as mine. Warped rotors can create a judder, especially under braking, and can be intermittent depending on various variables. Engine mounts are a good look too, can finally put in those M3 mounts...
It should be pretty obvious if the rubber has split in half. I would replace them regardless if you suspect they are original.
I have a leaky oil pan as well, so I am just waiting to get both of them done at the same time. This may just push me to get it done sooner.
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Your thought process was about the same as mine. Warped rotors can create a judder, especially under braking, and can be intermittent depending on various variables. Engine mounts are a good look too, can finally put in those M3 mounts...
They’ve been sitting on a shelf for about 4-5 years I think :facepalm
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BMWCurves
05-20-2021, 01:20 PM
They’ve been sitting on a shelf for about 4-5 years I think :facepalm
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So have mine
https://i.imgur.com/6du78tw.gif
Galapolis
05-20-2021, 01:23 PM
I have a leaky oil pan as well, so I am just waiting to get both of them done at the same time. This may just push me to get it done sooner.
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Might as well do the oil pump nut while you're in there.
The engine mounts seem to have collapsed completely!
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BMWCurves
05-21-2021, 08:20 AM
There ya go! The gang solves another mystery
https://i.imgur.com/FdQMtmd.gif
YoitsTmac
06-02-2021, 08:13 PM
The steering wheel just started to move slightly left and right on its own. I pulled over into the parking because I thought the lug nuts were loose but when I checked them, they were all torqued down. I also checked the tires visually for any bubbles but saw nothing. I started driving and the issue went away, so I had thought maybe something got stuck to one of the tires and it came off before I could check, so I put the car away for the winter....
...
...
have any other ideas/suggestions?
Thanks!
You know I'm starting a thread right now for some similar symptoms. I briefly mentioned on the "what did you do today" thread that my steering was vague and how entering a cross wind required me to get about 15 degrees of correction. On my commute home, "straight" changes with the road, it's unnerving and making me dislike my car.
Have you checked your steering column? It's as if no one likes to talk about it because it's like two threads on the entire internet. I'm about to start a thread about how normal this is, but where my steering shaft and lower steering column meet, there's a ton of play. I don't think this is normal and I would check if you have play there.
I finally figured it the issue that is causing the vibrations. It’s the passenger side front stuck caliper getting stuck occasionally.
What are my options here? Getting a new/used caliper? Rebuilding it myself?
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You know I'm starting a thread right now for some similar symptoms. I briefly mentioned on the "what did you do today" thread that my steering was vague and how entering a cross wind required me to get about 15 degrees of correction. On my commute home, "straight" changes with the road, it's unnerving and making me dislike my car.
Have you checked your steering column? It's as if no one likes to talk about it because it's like two threads on the entire internet. I'm about to start a thread about how normal this is, but where my steering shaft and lower steering column meet, there's a ton of play. I don't think this is normal and I would check if you have play there.
Sorry, not sure how I missed your response. My issue turns out is stuck caliper.
I have a little play but nothing too dramatic. Pretty much what is expected at this age and mileage since it’s not been replaced since new.
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Found this on Auto Zone.
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-caliper-front/duralast-bracketed-brake-caliper-19-b2860/563051_0_0
Does anyone know if this is a good option?
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Chaplian
06-07-2021, 07:20 AM
Found this on Auto Zone.
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-caliper-front/duralast-bracketed-brake-caliper-19-b2860/563051_0_0
Does anyone know if this is a good option?
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I have used them on E46s before without issue. Do a thorough check of the boot seals and such before you install them.
I would also suggest painting them as they will eventually rust, and I always replace calipers in pairs to prevent pulling while braking.
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ZHPizza
06-07-2021, 10:43 AM
@san I'd rebuild them yourself with OEM seals. I found out the hard way that the remanufacturers use cheap trash guides and chased a squishy brake pedal for years thinking there was air in my lines.
@san I'd rebuild them yourself with OEM seals. I found out the hard way that the remanufacturers use cheap trash guides and chased a squishy brake pedal for years thinking there was air in my lines.
That was my first intention, but the autozone way seemed way easier, convenient and not very expensive. But you have me second guessing.
Do you have a list of parts that are needed for the rebuild?
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So I took the culprit caliper out. The seals themselves seem to be OK, to look at least but when I pulled back the seal back a bit, I could clearly see corrosion on the piston. I’m fairly certain it’s beyond repair. Tried to look fcp, ecs, turner etc. for the replacement but they all seem to be on back order till end of July. I need to search outside of the usual places it seems.
So I can either
1. Wait for parts for a month if I can’t find them sooner ($20 per piston)
2. Buy a rebuild caliper and hope they didn’t cheap out (seem as low is $60 per)
3. Buy a new OE caliper @ $4xx (ya right!)
4. Convince myself it’s time to get that wilwood BBK
Decisions decisions….
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Galapolis
06-22-2021, 09:40 PM
I like option 4.
ZHPizza
06-23-2021, 04:32 AM
If you get rebuilds, go ahead and replace the guides with the ECS brass bushings. I chased a soft pedal for a year thinking it was air in my lines and it was the flimsy rubber guides on the centric rebuilt calipers. Very happy with the ECS brass now since they're as sealed as you can get with a solid guide.
If you get rebuilds, go ahead and replace the guides with the ECS brass bushings. I chased a soft pedal for a year thinking it was air in my lines and it was the flimsy rubber guides on the centric rebuilt calipers. Very happy with the ECS brass now since they're as sealed as you can get with a solid guide.
Thanks Nate, will keep that in mind.
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I like option 4.
Me too! I’m fairly certain I’ll get that done at some point. Just not sure if it should be done now.
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Does anyone have the front caliper piston part number handy? I’ve been trying to get it all day but can’t seem to find it.
They were back ordered 2 weeks ago but at least I was able to find them online then but I can’t seem to find them at all now. Not even on realoem.com
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Finally managed to find centric pistons on rockauto. Hopefully they work!
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johnrando
07-14-2021, 09:30 AM
GL!
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