BMW 525 Makes Passengers Vomit

A work colleague has got a mid 90s BMW 520 that shakes/vibrates between 50 and 70 mph. It's got progressively worse and has everyone totally baffled because it is not responding to any of the normal treatments for such things. It's bad enough to make her dog and other passengers vomit, seemingly.

So far, it's had about £800 spent to no avail.

1/ All wheels and tyres replaced and sent to a specialist for balancing. 2/ Propshaft sent to a specialist for balancing. 3/ Put on a rolling road and shake observed on passenger side rear wheel. Wheel re-checked (fine) then suspension components replaced on that side. 4/ There's nothing obviously wrong with suspension.

We thought the office 'Banger Expert' would spot the problem during a test drive but he came back looking utterly dumbfounded (really bad news as 'name your fault' and he's owned/driven a car with it!). He could only suggest a bush somewhere that looked and felt fine on inspection but wasn't perfect at motorway speeds.

The only thing I could find on the Internet was that one of the discs might be out of balance and that only BMW supply balanced discs??

Personally, as an Alfa driver, I know little about BMWs but if any kind soul can put this poor woman out of her complete misery with any ideas on a solution to this problem, we'll BOTH be very grateful!!!

Reply to
Zathras
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Sorry..OP title was wrong..it's a 520!

Reply to
Zathras

Bent driveshaft? Worn CV joint?

Reply to
Grunff

Zathras ( snipped-for-privacy@nospamthanks.hotmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Have they tried balancing that wheel on the car?

Reply to
Adrian

Were the joints inspected as well? A gradually siezing one could cause it.

John

Reply to
John Greystrong

He really needs to use someone who knows about these cars. By far and away the most common reason is worn lower track control bushes - which won't likely fail an MOT or be obvious by inspecion. The simplest cure is just new assemblies from Eurocarparts etc.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

I had a similar problem many many moons ago with a Triumph Herald. Above 50 you couldn't see anything in the rear view mirror it was vibrating so badly. Turned out to be a failing bearing on the prop shaft front universal joint. I replaced the bearings and achieved a complete cure. As your colleague has had the prop shaft balanced I presume that a faulty bearing would have shown up during balancing?

Kev

Reply to
Uno Hoo!

Rear differential mount and rear subframe bushings?

Reply to
Ian Edwards

I'd look at the upper and possibly also the lower track control arm bushes as Dave P suggested. This 'shimmy' effect always feels as if it's originating from the rear of the car but often it is the front suspension which is the culprit. The only othe possibility could be the 'Guibo' (flexible coupling) on the propshaft.

JB

Reply to
JB

There is something wrong with the suspension. The upper control arm bushes are shot. £17 per side for an aftermarket bush plus fitting or £89 for the whole arm from BMW plus fitting.

Reply to
Conor

The 50-70 MPH wobble is caused by the upper track control arm bushes being worn. They carry most of the weight of the car under braking.

Reply to
Conor

Can you do this on the back of a BMW?

Reply to
Zathras

Tell her to drive on the road, it's smoother.... ;-)

Reply to
Stuart Gray

Not much help but a few years ago my friend had a 520 courtesy car and after the five mile drive home we (3 passengers) all eneded up being sick. It was like being on aflat bottomed ferry!

Andy

Reply to
Andrew Portess

Heh..you're a brave man saying that..I've seen the size of her Husband!!! 8-)

Reply to
Zathras

Not very nice of them giving you a clapped out car, then. The normal suspension ain't soft. Of course, a knackered loan car makes you happy to get your own back, so less likely to complain about any work done on it. ;-)

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Yes , but you ought to lift both rear wheels off the ground.

Reply to
DuncanWood

My brother's driving is guaranteed to make me feel sick regardless of what car he's driving.

Reply to
adder

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