our BMW is a well-built machine, but it is not immune to problems such as steering wheel vibrations. While many BMW owners mention they have a problem with this issue, it can happen to any car that share similar braking and suspension systems.
Steering wheel vibrations could indicate a potential safety problem and should be fixed as soon as possible. Here are five possible reasons why your BMW's steering wheel is vibrating and what needs to be done in order to fix the problem.
When your tires are out of balance, you will likely experience vibrations when you are driving between about 50 to 60 MPH, but they will smooth out as you drive faster. This problem can happen if your tires are in bad shape from wear or if they have developed flat spots from lack of use. Re-balancing or replacing your tires may improve or eliminate the problem.
A less common, though still possible reason for the vibrations, is that the air pressure in your tires is low, which can easily be remedied by inflating the tires to the proper pressure.
If you experience steering wheel vibration when you brake while driving at higher speeds, then it's possible that your brake rotors are warped. Warping happens for a variety of reasons, including running through cold water with overheated brakes and over-torquing the lug nuts.
The problem can also be caused by a stuck caliper and excessive brake pad residue. It only takes a small amount of warping to make the steering wheel noticeably vibrate while braking. Most of the time, turning or replacing the rotor as well as replacing the stuck caliper will solve the problem.
BMW suspension systems are often complicated, so they can have multiple issues contributing to your vibration problem. For example, some models have multiple ball joints and bushings that can wear down or become loose at the same time.
Generally, when these components are worn, they give out other warning signs such as clunks and squeaks when your turn, go over bumps or brake. Since these problems are potentially dangerous, and you can lose control of your car, it's best to have your entire suspension system checked out and repaired as soon as possible.
Your front wheel bearings can cause a lot of steering wheel play and vibration if they are worn. Often, this problem is accompanied by a loud rumble or whine as vehicle speed increases or when you turn the corners.
Wheel bearings naturally wear out over time, but can also be damaged by bumps or lack of lubrication. In many cases, your front wheel bearings cannot be replaced on their own, but have to be replaced as part of an entire hub assembly.
It is less likely, though possible, that a front wheel rim is bent or damaged. If this is the case, you will also notice a tire that looks flat or needs to be inflated often because bent rims can't keep enough of a seal to keep air from leaking.
You may also notice that your car handles strangely. Riding on bad rims is a safety hazard because your tire could deflate or come loose at any time. It also contributes to suspension wear and more vibration.
If your BMW has steering wheel vibration, then it's important to take the problem seriously and have it checked out. Experienced BMW mechanics, such as those we have at
Chris' Car Care know how to track down problems so that they can be fixed with genuine OEM replacement parts. That way, you can get back on the road to smooth driving as soon as possible.