Steering shimmy

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   Has anyone experienced "steering shimmy" on an e39 530d sport 2003.

I drive a prewar car also and it is a charcteristic that occurs at low speed where the gyroscopic nature of the wheel motion influences the behaviour of the wheel.

On the 530 it feels like wheel balance problems which would be hardly noticeable at 30 mph but this is quite severe. There is no repeat at motorway speeds and the car is perfeclty stable. 

Exactly the same thing happens on the pre war car if there is insufficient damping in the steering mechanisum.

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Alanshaw1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alanshaw1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Steering shimmy Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 9:20am
	Has anyone experienced "steering shimmy" on an e39 530d sport 2003. I drive a prewar car also and it is a charcteristic that occurs at low speed where the gyroscopic nature of the wheel motion influences the behaviour of the wheel. On the 530 it feels like wheel balance problems which would be hardly noticeable at 30 mph but this is quite severe. There is no repeat at motorway speeds and the car is perfeclty stable. Exactly the same thing happens on the pre war car if there is insufficient damping in the steering mechanisum.

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Bern Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair Central Region Chairman Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1237	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bern Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 10:24am
	1) Wheel balance 2) Badly worn tyres 3) Sticking brake caliper 4) Worn suspension /steering joints Most BMW's suffer from shimmy between 40 and 60, both on acceleration and deceleration, if problems with any of the above. Another common cause is aftermarket wheels.Poor construction can lead to bent/buckled wheel at the sight of a pothole! My process of elimination is - a) friendly tyre fitter to check wheel balance and condition of wheels/tyres. b) friendly indy to check brakes and steering/suspension joints. With everything correct, you should not have any shimmer that you are used to on your pre war car. (you will always have more of a smile on your face driving the older car though!)
	Drive a BMW and you will have a smile on your face every time (and- drive twice as far as you need to !!)

Alanshaw1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alanshaw1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 10:53am
	Thank you for that, my thoughts are similar. Recent history( Otober last year) New tyres New shockers all round(oe) New track rods(oe) All wheels balanced(original wheels) Any worn or suspect bushes replaced(oe) New front wheel bearings(oe) Today Wheels rebalanced(all 4) not dramatically out of balance. The current mileage is 119,000 and most journeys are not less than 100 miles.

Bern Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair Central Region Chairman Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1237	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bern Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 2:14pm
	Sounds like you have had most parts replaced already! Couple more questions - Are they balancing both sides of the wheels, or, just one side (BM's need both sides balanced) Are you getting uneven tyre wear? If so, your tracking may be out from the replacement of parts. Normal tyre fitting tracking is not suitable; it needs the correct computer alignment checks completed which includes loading the car (KDM i think is the term!) There are seperate posts on this forum with suggested suppliers and costs. Possible that brake caliper is sticking, but, as your car is regularly used, unlikely. Worth checking though. What pre war car do you have ?
	Drive a BMW and you will have a smile on your face every time (and- drive twice as far as you need to !!)

Alanshaw1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alanshaw1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 5:07pm
	Sorry I have taken so long to reply. It was the piston stuck in the N/s caliper and an off side wheel bearing that needed replacing again this time with an oe part. They also replaced the discs and pads. I had this work done at Snows of Portsmouth, I like their style and they treat me well. I am fussy about the wheel balance, it's cheaper than tyres, I get that done locally but for tracking I go to Micheldever, they have all the right kit and they know what their doing. I fill up with fuel before I get there and they ballast accordingly. When I go to them I get the wheels balanced on their kit too. My pre-war car is a Bentley. Thank you for your help.