Steering Wheel Vibration

So heres everything Ive tried to resolve my steering wheel vibration:

Road force balance (multiple times)
Alignment(s)
New Control Arms (Upper & Lower)
Coilovers (replaced stock EDC suspension)
- After first alignment, everything was perfect. Drove through some shitty roads and it came back. Got it aligned again, it felt fine but now its back.
New Wheel Hubs
Different Wheels (with new tires)
- The stock wheels produced the same issue. I borrowed the LM’s to see if a different set would fix it.
Tie Rods checked and theyre fine
Took spacers off. Helped but vibration still there.
New sway bar bushings
Rotors and pads replaced in September

Only thing left is
- Steering Rack
- Steering Knuckle (Spindle)

My steering rack is leaking *♂️

You are essentially my unlucky twin on the other side of the country. I have chased this front end vibration fix for couple years now, replacing one thing at a time: control arms, tie rods, sway bar end links, shocks, camber plates, wheel hubs, wheels, tires, spacers, lug bolts, rotors, pads, guibo, driveshaft, etc. The only things I too, have not gotten to, are the steering rack and the knuckles.

What helped the most, for me, were engine mounts and a very good wheel balance job. After all of the new front end components failed to make any material improvement (like you said, without spacers the vibration was much less pronounced, but still vaguely there), I bit the bullet and dropped front sub frame to check on my engine mounts. They were previously replaced 45k miles ago, but both had completely collapsed again - it's a 100% street car.

After that, whenever I do get a wheel balance job that was done well, the drive would be a bliss with pure steering feel and zero shake in steering wheel. But that's kind of a crap shoot, doesn't work out the way I hoped every time. The vibration does come back from time to time, usually right after going over large freeway expansion joints or sharp road bumps. But then if I slow down a bit and take it easy for a little while, the vibration fades away. It's as if something in the chasis, some joints, are lose and easily upset by road conditions.

Same here, my vibration comes and goes. I have noticed anecdotally that it disappears when I don't jack up my car in a while, could be coincidence.

My money is on the steering rack, I'm doing a power steering flush possibly today or tomorrow and replacing the reservoir. It's got a built in filter that may have crap in it hindering flow.

I've replaced my entire suspension besides tires (still got life left) and I'm hoping this is it. The vibration flares up while changing lanes or after a sweeping in ramp, so in my head the power steering being the culprit makes sense. When it's gone, my steering wheel is quiet all the way to 100+

Ajolives wrote

Same here, my vibration comes and goes. I have noticed anecdotally that it disappears when I don't jack up my car in a while, could be coincidence.

My money is on the steering rack, I'm doing a power steering flush possibly today or tomorrow and replacing the reservoir. It's got a built in filter that may have crap in it hindering flow.

I've replaced my entire suspension besides tires (still got life left) and I'm hoping this is it. The vibration flares up while changing lanes or after a sweeping in ramp, so in my head the power steering being the culprit makes sense. When it's gone, my steering wheel is quiet all the way to 100+

I've noticed it really depends on the road surface... It comes and goes in the exact same spots of certain highways... I can't explain it but just learnt to accept it. Nothing wrong with anything on the car, and I've noticed it on friend's m3s too. Other cars don't do it, M is more sensitive I guess??

You guys seeing this only at ~80mph or other speeds too? I had it at 80, but new tires, road force balanced, and alignment took care of it. Buttery smooth now up to Mexico speeds.

wyatth wrote

You guys seeing this only at ~80mph or other speeds too? I had it at 80, but new tires, road force balanced, and alignment took care of it. Buttery smooth now up to Mexico speeds.

I've had it as low as 70 and never above 90. I can't confirm Mexico speed vibrations because my focus is on the road and not dying, haha.

m235boy wrote

Ajolives wrote

Same here, my vibration comes and goes. I have noticed anecdotally that it disappears when I don't jack up my car in a while, could be coincidence.

My money is on the steering rack, I'm doing a power steering flush possibly today or tomorrow and replacing the reservoir. It's got a built in filter that may have crap in it hindering flow.

I've replaced my entire suspension besides tires (still got life left) and I'm hoping this is it. The vibration flares up while changing lanes or after a sweeping in ramp, so in my head the power steering being the culprit makes sense. When it's gone, my steering wheel is quiet all the way to 100+

I've noticed it really depends on the road surface... It comes and goes in the exact same spots of certain highways... I can't explain it but just learnt to accept it. Nothing wrong with anything on the car, and I've noticed it on friend's m3s too. Other cars don't do it, M is more sensitive I guess??

That's pretty spot on, it's very pronounced on concrete highways, very rare on blacktop for me. I agree, it could be the nature of the car.

Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that it could be front subframe related, didn't start happening until after I replaced by motor mounts. I believe the front subframe has fluid filled bushings and they may leak after dropping and reinstalling for engine mounts. Low probability, but I don't think anyone's mentioned that.

Also, another member said he disconnected the steering knuckle from the rack when he did his engine mounts, didn't want to put tension on the knuckle. I kinda snickered at it, thinking it was a little too OCD, but he may have had a point. Could be that as well.

Ajolives wrote

I've had it as low as 70 and never above 90. I can't confirm Mexico speed vibrations because my focus is on the road and not dying, haha.

Mexico speeds = above the posted speed limit.
Doesn’t mean reckless or topping out. Just FYI

wyatth wrote

Ajolives wrote

I've had it as low as 70 and never above 90. I can't confirm Mexico speed vibrations because my focus is on the road and not dying, haha.

Mexico speeds = above the posted speed limit.
Doesn't mean reckless or topping out. Just FYI

Actually, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it means, haha. Or at least what I've seen. People don't put 600hp in their car to drive 80 mph. Any race in "Mexico" involved reckless and excessive speed.

They often do but they’re in “Mexico” simply because they don’t want to admit to legal speeding. But ah well!

Im going to check my caliper guide pins to see if maybe they're sticking. Also gonna check for warped rotors.

Have you tried swapping out the FCAB? To either poly or a monoball?

Drifter2090 wrote

Have you tried swapping out the FCAB? To either poly or a monoball?

Nope. I replaced all the arms back in October though.

954MM wrote

Nope. I replaced all the arms back in October though.

I would try that. Because that one bushing is what stops vibration under braking and when worn it will cause steering vibrations at speed. I know you replaced it with a OEM one but a stiffer poly or monoball will probably help, especially since you run spacers.

Might be a dumb suggestion, but have you had it aligned and double checked all the bushings are on the right way?

Ajolives wrote

My money is on the steering rack, I'm doing a power steering flush possibly today or tomorrow and replacing the reservoir. It's got a built in filter that may have crap in it hindering flow.

Ajolives, did you do the steering flush? Has it helped?

I did flush the power steering fluid and I can't really say it made a difference. I haven't been on the highway since the test drive after, but I've seen highway speeds elsewhere and it was gone then. I am starting to think road surface has a lot to do with it as well now. I've replaced almost everything except tires (continental extreme dsw).

Side note: fluid was dirty and it needed to be done anyways. If you're thinking of DIY power steering, try this method. By far the easiest way I've seen. Just be ready to fight with that bottom line on the reservoir/overflow canister.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1162286

954MM wrote

So heres everything Ive tried to resolve my steering wheel vibration:

Road force balance (multiple times)
Alignment(s)
New Control Arms (Upper & Lower)
Coilovers (replaced stock EDC suspension)
- After first alignment, everything was perfect. Drove through some shitty roads and it came back. Got it aligned again, it felt fine but now its back.
New Wheel Hubs
Different Wheels (with new tires)
- The stock wheels produced the same issue. I borrowed the LM's to see if a different set would fix it.
Tie Rods checked and theyre fine
Took spacers off. Helped but vibration still there.
New sway bar bushings
Rotors and pads replaced in September

Only thing left is
- Steering Rack
- Steering Knuckle (Spindle)

My steering rack is leaking ����*♂️

How severe is the vibration?
Does it happen at all times and speeds?
Does it happen only on certain surfaces?

I get steering wheel vibration on a 3 mile stretch of freeway and it only occurs there. The first time I experienced it I thought something was wrong, but then when I started to notice the pattern that it only happened on that part of the freeway.

RedScytheM3 wrote

954MM wrote

So heres everything Ive tried to resolve my steering wheel vibration:

Road force balance (multiple times)
Alignment(s)
New Control Arms (Upper & Lower)
Coilovers (replaced stock EDC suspension)
- After first alignment, everything was perfect. Drove through some shitty roads and it came back. Got it aligned again, it felt fine but now its back.
New Wheel Hubs
Different Wheels (with new tires)
- The stock wheels produced the same issue. I borrowed the LM's to see if a different set would fix it.
Tie Rods checked and theyre fine
Took spacers off. Helped but vibration still there.
New sway bar bushings
Rotors and pads replaced in September

Only thing left is
- Steering Rack
- Steering Knuckle (Spindle)

My steering rack is leaking ����*♂️

How severe is the vibration?
Does it happen at all times and speeds?
Does it happen only on certain surfaces?

I get steering wheel vibration on a 3 mile stretch of freeway and it only occurs there. The first time I experienced it I thought something was wrong, but then when I started to notice the pattern that it only happened on that part of the freeway.

It's more of a shimmy than a vibration if that makes sense. It doesn't feel like the wheel will fall off, but almost like an out of balance tire on the front.

Is your 3 mile stretch graded concrete by chance? The steering wheel consistently does this b.s. on concrete, almost never on blacktop. I find when I do long sweeping on ramps and changing lanes the shimmy will "flare up" for a couple minutes then dissipate to almost nothing.

I haven't been able to track a true pattern, but it always has concrete highway, lane changing, and/or on-ramps in the equation. Maybe it's got something to do with a weakness when the suspension loads up laterally or something like that

I've been WFH since March, so my driving has been cut down drastically to say the least, haha. Haven't been out to investigate this further.

oh brother. I got the same at 80 ish.

It was very bad when I had old tires and kwv3. I changed suspension to B12 and put on a new set of ps4s. It got a lot better but I can still fell some faint vibration at speed.

My rotors are worn so that is my next step.(rebuild calipers+new rotor+new pads)

I have suspect wheel bearings but haven't got to it.


On my old set up, I can feel it came very pronounced from from right wheel area. I can literally feel the vibration with my bare foot in the foot well.

keep us posted for what you find.

Some people said the after market wheels with different offset will cause that. not sure if you are on OE wheels.

Ajolives wrote

RedScytheM3 wrote

954MM wrote

So heres everything Ive tried to resolve my steering wheel vibration:

Road force balance (multiple times)
Alignment(s)
New Control Arms (Upper & Lower)
Coilovers (replaced stock EDC suspension)
- After first alignment, everything was perfect. Drove through some shitty roads and it came back. Got it aligned again, it felt fine but now its back.
New Wheel Hubs
Different Wheels (with new tires)
- The stock wheels produced the same issue. I borrowed the LM's to see if a different set would fix it.
Tie Rods checked and theyre fine
Took spacers off. Helped but vibration still there.
New sway bar bushings
Rotors and pads replaced in September

Only thing left is
- Steering Rack
- Steering Knuckle (Spindle)

My steering rack is leaking ����*♂️

How severe is the vibration?
Does it happen at all times and speeds?
Does it happen only on certain surfaces?

I get steering wheel vibration on a 3 mile stretch of freeway and it only occurs there. The first time I experienced it I thought something was wrong, but then when I started to notice the pattern that it only happened on that part of the freeway.

It's more of a shimmy than a vibration if that makes sense. It doesn't feel like the wheel will fall off, but almost like an out of balance tire on the front.

Is your 3 mile stretch graded concrete by chance? The steering wheel consistently does this b.s. on concrete, almost never on blacktop. I find when I do long sweeping on ramps and changing lanes the shimmy will "flare up" for a couple minutes then dissipate to almost nothing.

I haven't been able to track a true pattern, but it always has concrete highway, lane changing, and/or on-ramps in the equation. Maybe it's got something to do with a weakness when the suspension loads up laterally or something like that

I've been WFH since March, so my driving has been cut down drastically to say the least, haha. Haven't been out to investigate this further.

I see what you mean. The stretch of freeway appears to be smooth blacktop at 60 mph, but actually has a ridged texture that you can see when you're at a standstill in traffic. I think those ridges are being felt in the wheel. This post made me think of this because at speed the road appears perfectly smooth and makes the steering feel seem abnormal

romero1990 wrote

oh brother. I got the same at 80 ish.

It was very bad when I had old tires and kwv3. I changed suspension to B12 and put on a new set of ps4s. It got a lot better but I can still fell some faint vibration at speed.

My rotors are worn so that is my next step.(rebuild calipers+new rotor+new pads)

I have suspect wheel bearings but haven't got to it.


On my old set up, I can feel it came very pronounced from from right wheel area. I can literally feel the vibration with my bare foot in the foot well.

keep us posted for what you find.

Some people said the after market wheels with different offset will cause that. not sure if you are on OE wheels.

Same here, I'm running OE M219 (15mm spacers) with B8s I put on with lowering springs, replaced the top mounts and all the bushings. It's much, much better now, but still "flares up" every now and then. I've also heard people saying going to a square set up fixes the problem, but could be unrelated.

I plan in going to a squared step up eventually for tire wear/ rotation purposes, but I have little confidence it'll solve anything in this regard. Also, I've ran my current set-up with and without spacers and I've found spacers are negligible. I had the shimmy on 100% OEM parts installed, albeit worn, but everything was stock