[Evrest46]

Hello guys,

I am writing this thread from France because no one in there is able to find a solution for my F10 (530d xdrive LCI).

Issue : when I am driving at some speed (110-120 until 140-150kmh), my car is vibrating (in the steering wheel and seats). When I slightly touch the brake pedal, it is getting worse (the steering is really shaking but not the brake pedal..).

When I reach a red light, or a stop, it is also vibrating on the steering wheel.

I have replaced a lot of parts on this car, as :

- front and rear rotors and pads (ATE brand).
- rear guibo (it was cracked).
- all front arms (MOOG brand).
- brand new tires and wheels (OEM).

I’ve done an alignment but the problem is still there. The repair store’s guy told me that even if my front strut arm are slightly new (they have 2 or 3000kms), he feels that the front wheels are moving into front of the car (I also feel it). When stoped, and when I turn the steering wheel, at some point, the car gives a clicking sound on front left side.


Do you think that non-oem strut arm can be completely out even after 3000kms? He told me that the bushings between non-oem and oem arms are completely different. I’d like to get your advice on this subject because I’ve spend too much money on this car and it is still vibrating through the whole car and steering wheel…


Thanks guys!

[ChiNorm]

I would try a different mechanic, hopefully a BMW specialist.

Good luck.

[Sylverlee]

Poly bushings on the strut arms could really firm that up. I have a brand new set for sale ��

[blewcheese]

Is it a torn cv boot?

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by ChiNorm

I would try a different mechanic, hopefully a BMW specialist.

Good luck.

I’ve tried two different BMW specialists. 1st one doesn’t know why it is shaking like this but said that aftermarket arms are complete shit.

Second one told that it can happen because of warp rotors (even if they have only 2-3000kms).

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by blewcheese

Is it a torn cv boot?

My cv boots are ok, but the front left axle has some loosening, I can move it with hand (3 or 4 mm), it is an axial loosening, between tire and front differential. Do you think that it could be my issue?

Originally Posted by Sylverlee

Poly bushings on the strut arms could really firm that up. I have a brand new set for sale ��

Thanks for your message. I am living in France, that would be difficult

[velos]

Did you mention motor mounts?

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by velos

Did you mention motor mounts?

The engine is not giving vibration when I shut it down. Imo I would not think that bad engine mount could give vibration in the steering wheel (it is really « shaking » on each side of the steering wheel)… Am I right?

+ I don’t have any movement when I make a kickdown. The engine is complete smooth (even for a diesel )

[paul223]

Have you looked at front wheel bearings?

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by paul223

Have you looked at front wheel bearings?

I don’t have any growling sound. I’ve turned both front wheels when the car was lifted up, and they turn easily without making any noise.

[blewcheese]

Originally Posted by Evrest46

My cv boots are ok, but the front left axle has some loosening, I can move it with hand (3 or 4 mm), it is an axial loosening, between tire and front differential. Do you think that it could be my issue?



Thanks for your message. I am living in France, that would be difficult

I'm just throwing every option on the table but I would personally take it to the dealership. You don't have to get the work done there but at least the right diagnostics on it.

[Evrest46]

The fact that we have the front wheels going front and back when applying brake at low speed (3-4km/h) shouldnÂ’t be a symptom of front trust arm? (Even if they have been changed 6000kms before, bur aftermarket).

[Sylverlee]

Originally Posted by Evrest46

My cv boots are ok, but the front left axle has some loosening, I can move it with hand (3 or 4 mm), it is an axial loosening, between tire and front differential. Do you think that it could be my issue?



Thanks for your message. I am living in France, that would be difficult

Yeah don’t need to buy mine. Could be worth a try to get from a local distributor. The stability during braking really stood out to me

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by Sylverlee

Yeah don’t need to buy mine. Could be worth a try to get from a local distributor. The stability during braking really stood out to me

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve ordered OEM thrust arms with bushings, should be way better than these aftermarket MOOG ones. Wait and see

[Evrest46]

[UPDATE]

I’ve replaced front MOOG aftermarket thrust arms with OEM from dealer, and the car is now perfect!! Will never take aftermarket… the bushings were out after only 6000kms…

[Blue Angel]

Thanks so much for the update!!! Can you confirm that the arm you replaced is #1 in the image below? Also, it appears the hydraulic bushing is available separately as well:

[Evrest46]

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

Thanks so much for the update!!! Can you confirm that the arm you replaced is #1 in the image below? Also, it appears the hydraulic bushing is available separately as well:

Yes, the number 1. I’ve replaced the whole part, it was sold with bushing and ball joint. It is easier and faster

Edit : I’ve ordered the « reparation kit » for each arm, since you have some nuts or screw that you’re supposed to change each time you take it off (even the screw of the axle). You can find the reference of the reparation kit on realoem, you’ll get screws/nuts.

[ChiNorm]

Bent wheel? Swap tires side to side and look for change.

Good luck.

[Sylverlee]

Originally Posted by Evrest46

[UPDATE]

I’ve replaced front MOOG aftermarket thrust arms with OEM from dealer, and the car is now perfect!! Will never take aftermarket… the bushings were out after only 6000kms…

That is really interesting.

[Sylverlee]

Originally Posted by Evrest46

[UPDATE]

I’ve replaced front MOOG aftermarket thrust arms with OEM from dealer, and the car is now perfect!! Will never take aftermarket… the bushings were out after only 6000kms…

You have any photos? I’m curious what I should be looking out for. This was the bushing and not the ball joint right?

[Blue Angel]

I replaced just the bushings on the thrust arms today with Lemforder parts. They look identical to the OE parts and even have the same numbers molded in, though BMW and the OE part number look to have been manually removed.

This was a relatively easy job using a press/pull sleeve kit I originally bought to do some rear ball joints on my Wife's 3 Series. I was able to use my high torque drill to press them, making the job pretty quick. If you pull all the plastic panels out of the way there's enough space to do it without removing the arm, a big plus on XDrive cars.

My car has the original 20" wheels and stupid-hard run flat tires, and the wheels were bent when I bought the car. I'm not able to claim yet that this fixed my vibration issues, but I can say that the original bushings were much softer than the replacements. You can visually see how much rubber has worn away inside the old bushings, and pushing on the arms after installation they were much stiffer against rotation.

I'll be getting new wheels/tires soon and I hope to report smooth sailing. My brand new winter wheel/tire setup vibrated slightly, and I was back at the shop for rebalancing several times… all along it may have been an issue with the car!

[Blue Angel]

Here's the pics that failed to attach: