F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Strong intermittent vibration on the front/back
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-09-2021, 11:03 AM   #1
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Strong intermittent vibration on the front/back

Hi guys

I have started experiencing vibrations when driving. It generally happens at hwy speed but also at lower speed. It feels like a flat tire almost or bad snow tires, but stronger. When I press the brake the vibration is more pronounced, the car is shaking. It feels bit rough on the wheel, and seems like it is more on the front passenger side. It stays on even if I am not accelerating.

I had few guys in the back on time and they thought the vibration also moved to the back. It happens for 5 min or so then goes away. Then happens again in 20 min or so. Sometimes it’s not there for a while 1hr or so.

320 with 120k. I did the easy things balancing and fixed the bent wheel but this seems bigger and worse tix than that.

I was hoping to keep the car for a while. Any insights would be great!
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2021, 11:10 AM   #2
AndrewC1989
Brigadier General
AndrewC1989's Avatar
United_States
10904
Rep
4,537
Posts

Drives: 2015 328d xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Do you have run-flats or regular tires?
Appreciate 1
      10-09-2021, 12:23 PM   #3
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Run flats. But this is much stronger vibration shaking than from a tire.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2021, 12:32 PM   #4
AndrewC1989
Brigadier General
AndrewC1989's Avatar
United_States
10904
Rep
4,537
Posts

Drives: 2015 328d xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by keano16 View Post
Run flats. But this is much stronger vibration shaking than from a tire.
Could be a bad tire/bent wheel. If you have a second set of wheels to swap on (or friend who will let you borrow a set) that would be an easy way of ruling those issues out.

Is your car xDrive or rwd? Maybe a transfer case/differential issue?
Appreciate 1
      10-09-2021, 12:41 PM   #5
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

No way this is a tire wheel issue. The vibration is crAzy.

Is the transfer case differential an expensive fix?
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2021, 04:17 PM   #6
AndrewC1989
Brigadier General
AndrewC1989's Avatar
United_States
10904
Rep
4,537
Posts

Drives: 2015 328d xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by keano16 View Post
No way this is a tire wheel issue. The vibration is crAzy.

Is the transfer case differential an expensive fix?
Some specific transfer case failures are warrantied on the 328dx. Not sure about other models.

A transfer case failure that isn't warrantied will run you a few thousand, so hopefully it isn't that.

I would go to BMW and have them diagnose. See what they say for $165 and turn down the labor. Take car to indy for cheaper repair.
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2021, 10:29 AM   #7
kingmonkey8
Lieutenant
81
Rep
552
Posts

Drives: BMW 428i
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Can you feel it through the steering wheel or brake pedal?
Warped rotors perhaps? Try spinning the wheel or checking if there is any play.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2021, 12:09 AM   #8
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kingmonkey8 View Post
Can you feel it through the steering wheel or brake pedal?
Warped rotors perhaps? Try spinning the wheel or checking if there is any play.
No way rotor, wheel is causing this.

The vibration comes every 15 minutes. It now starts to feel that is below the center of the car. The whole car is shaking. It’s not a small vibration. I feel the vibration on the brake pedal even if not braking. It happens when going down hill without pressing on the gas, etc.

My guess is the drive shaft, guibo???
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2021, 07:57 AM   #9
BMWILUVU
Lieutenant Colonel
809
Rep
1,597
Posts

Drives: 340ix
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: The Boibs

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by keano16 View Post
Hi guys

I have started experiencing vibrations when driving. It generally happens at hwy speed but also at lower speed. It feels like a flat tire almost or bad snow tires, but stronger. When I press the brake the vibration is more pronounced, the car is shaking. It feels bit rough on the wheel, and seems like it is more on the front passenger side. It stays on even if I am not accelerating.

I had few guys in the back on time and they thought the vibration also moved to the back. It happens for 5 min or so then goes away. Then happens again in 20 min or so. Sometimes it’s not there for a while 1hr or so.

320 with 120k. I did the easy things balancing and fixed the bent wheel but this seems bigger and worse tix than that.

I was hoping to keep the car for a while. Any insights would be great!
Driveline vibrations are one of the toughest problems to diagnose. The guibo would be easy to inspect for damage under the car if you suspect that component.
Since you mentioned a previously fixed bent rim, that raises suspicions but at 120k miles, I would also take a look at your motor mounts.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2021, 09:53 AM   #10
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWILUVU View Post
Driveline vibrations are one of the toughest problems to diagnose. The guibo would be easy to inspect for damage under the car if you suspect that component.
Since you mentioned a previously fixed bent rim, that raises suspicions but at 120k miles, I would also take a look at your motor mounts.
That's another one to check, thanks.

Can I think that this is not the transfer case? It seems like there is usually hesitation for acceleration? I don't feel any hesitation, just strong vibration shaking. Taking it to my indy again tomorrow. He was not able to diagnose it the first time, and wanted it to get worse before he takes a second look.
Appreciate 0
      10-19-2021, 02:00 PM   #11
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

I just came back from my indy

He says there were no codes which seems like it is not the transfer case.

I mentioned engine mounts, he says if those go, it will shake/vibrate all the time.

He said I have the upgraded guibo and it looks good

Now we are suspecting axle??? So tomorrow I will be driving around until the shaking vibration starts and maybe he can feel it???
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2021, 07:27 AM   #12
keano16
Private
14
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

So eventually I figured out it was a stuck rear caliper. The heat from that wheel was much higher than any other and then the pad was worn much more than the others.

So new caliper, rotors, pads $1150. Glad it was not the transfer case.
Appreciate 1
JBH661235.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:16 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST