Suspension/Shock Problems?

[Maximus03]

Hey guys,

Just had my steering rack replaced on thursday which is probably unrelated to my current concern but noting it none the less.

While driving on the N3 today and going over some of the "joins" in the roads at around 130km/h it felt like the car was "twisting" at the back. The feeling was very similar to being passed by a big truck on a windy day where you need to hold the steering tighter as it sort of waves around. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance :=):

 

[Riaan335]

Wheel alignment maybe? My car is very sensitive to incorrect wheel alignment. I can feel by my cars behaviour that the wheel alignment is out.

 

[Maximus03]

Wheel alignment maybe? My car is very sensitive to incorrect wheel alignment. I can feel by my cars behaviour that the wheel alignment is out.

Alignment seems spot on, car is not pulling to any side on normal driving or anything. It's such a weird feeling, like the back wiggles out and you have to keep it straight.

 

[Sleeper135i]

What car do you have??

135/335/535?

 

[Maximus03]

What car do you have??

135/335/535?

Oops, forgot to mention, 335i E90 LCI

 

[Ralf*]

are the expansion gaps the metal teeth/zipper type, the kind that are big enough to swallow a motorcycle front wheel......I know about those.....OUCH

then it would probably be the cause of some snaking/fishtailing

 

[moranor@axis]

check alignment 1st

 

[Twinz]

Agree with moranor:thumbs:

 

[Maximus03]

Agree with moranor:thumbs:

Alignment seems perfect(not pulling to any side), is it possible that some sensor or something maybe faulty, it only started doing this after they replaced the steering rack........ or maybe they didnt do something right?

 

[Riaan335]

The cars alignment could be out without it pulling left or right.
Especially on the rear. My cars right rear toe angle was inwards, and it had the same behaviour which you describe.

Trust me, check the cars aligment. I'll put money on the fact that it is not correct now

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Did they do the wheel alignment after replacing the steering rack?

 

[Maximus03]

The cars alignment could be out without it pulling left or right.
Especially on the rear. My cars right rear toe angle was inwards, and it had the same behaviour which you describe.

Trust me, check the cars aligment. I'll put money on the fact that it is not correct now

---

Did they do the wheel alignment after replacing the steering rack?

---

Well they did do the wheel alignment and i got the calibration sheet but maybe it is off, always thought it needed to pull to one side for it to be off. Will call them up tomorrow and tell them sort it out, thanks guys for the advice. :=):

 

[moranor@axis]

post up the alignment numbers... my guess is the front toe will be out...

 

[Maximus03]

post up the alignment numbers... my guess is the front toe will be out...

Moranor, i am at BMW at the moment, the alignment was off, camber in the back and toe in the front, but that has not yet resolved the problem.

Dodgy alignment in the first place plus now they sent it for a shock test.

Will post the results once i get the car back.

 

[moranor@axis]

hope this is all under motorplan

 

[Maximus03]

hope this is all under motorplan

Luckily it is still under motorplan but i ask the questions for my own understanding and possibly help someone else in the future on the fanatics forum and to point BMW in the correct direction too as they seem lost on this one!:biglol:

So, they adjusted the alignment AGAIN and it is still doing the same thing. So now they opted for changing the 2 rear shocks although the shock test came back positive.......trial and error they say.

 

[moranor@axis]

well least its not you money

 

[Peejay]

Could be the trailing arms bushes are worn out.

 

[moranor@axis]

Could be the trailing arms bushes are worn out.

my money is also on bushes but getting a set of free shocks on the rear is not a bad thing :rollsmile:

 

[Maximus03]

Could be the trailing arms bushes are worn out.

my money is also on bushes but getting a set of free shocks on the rear is not a bad thing :rollsmile:

Guys, BMW changed the 2 rear shocks but it is still doing the exact same thing. The bushes and all other suspension components according to them are perfect.
They are now lost and pretty much have no clue what to do, the car even does the twist at slow speeds when going over covered potholes. I think they are at a stage where they "give up".

I suspect their alignment machine is out of calibration or something, hopefully other people also complain about something similar soon.

Any other ideas? Can a diff or any drive components cause anything like this or can the steering rack replacement have an effect considering that is when the problem actually started?

 

[moranor@axis]

lol :roflol:

do you have the alignment numbers?

I am 99% sure this has something to do with the alignment at the front...

why was the rack replaced?