Subject: Still trying to find vibration source; stumped Author: bimmernut2 : member since January, 2006 : 299 posts Posted on: 2008-01-12 13:56:25

This is driving me nuts. As posted before, my '92 535i 5 speed with 78k, gives a vibration that you can feel from the seat. Here are the symptoms. When cold, like sitting over night, I feel a vibration at around 45-50mph, which continues on up to 65ish, then is not as noticeable at 70 & above. However, after driving the car a while, say after going out to eat, and then getting back into it, the vibration is almost not noticeable. I have checked the following:
1. Pulled both rear rotors & checking parking brake shoes for possible hitting an out of round inner drum or dragging. Checked OK.
2. Dropped the exhaust & removed the heat shield to check center bearing (OK); flex disk (OK) U joint (looks fine); rear drive shaft bolts (OK); bent shaft or lost weight. All looks fine. With parking brake on, you can turn the drive shaft a very small amount, when you check for play. Appears to be in the tranny & rear axle, which I think is pretty normal
3. I have swapped wheels/tires from front to rear; no change.
4. Cannot see anything wrong on the rear suspension; replace both rear shock since RH was leaking.
5. Had my independent mech. look at rear suspension and he didn’t see any suspicious concerns.
6. While jacked up, have spun the wheels by hand to see if I could hear or feel a bad bearing & all seems OK
7. Drained rear axle & added Limited slip additive since I have a limited slip axle. No change. I thought maybe without the additive that the clutchs might be chattering while driving.

What am I over looking? Got any ideas? I've run out of things to check.
Thanks,

Richard V in WNC

Richard V
BMW CCA Tarheel chapter
'92 535i 5 speed 145k
'92 535i 5 speed 73k black(current project)
'95 740i 148k
'91 325ia daughters(for sale)
'94 325ic daughters
'96 Chevy Z71 extcab 44k mine
'04 Trailblazer EXT her's

• Still trying to find vibration source; stumped - bimmernut2 2008-01-12 13:56:25 (149 views)
  • Re: Still trying to find vibration source; stumped - c804447 2008-02-03 22:36:53 (51 views)
  • Re: Still trying to find vibration source; stumped - podmore 2008-01-25 17:34:36 (64 views)
  • Try checking the wheels for runout - rick540 2008-01-12 15:54:41 (94 views)
  • 100 to 110km/h is usually tires/wheels - Shayne 2008-01-12 14:34:15 (100 views)