Weird steering wheel shake at 50-60mph

My steering wheel begins to shake pretty bad now at speeds from 50-60mph. Weird thing is that when you go a tad bit over 60 the shaking stops, also if you go under 50, say 45, the shaking also stops. Also the steering has been feeling pretty "loose" also. It has a little too much play.

The car has 126K now, and from what I've read from previous owners receipts I think most of the suspension components are the original ones. Also I've read up on axles being problematic in our cars around this mileage.

I know these are vague descriptions, but have any of you had any issues like this?
-I think I'll start off with an alignment, which I wanted to wait until I got home since father-in-law owns a shop.(is car safe to drive a 5 hour drive?)

Thanks for the help guys.

sounds like it could be a wheel balance issue.

Things to start checking

1) bolts on both front tires
2) balance as mentioned above
3) bushings and some front moving parts could be worn or loose !
Good luck.
I hope this will help

Thanks guys, I'll be checking those things out.

mine was alignment. indy did not think alignment issue would cause shaking. once aligned (replaced front shocks), shaking went away. it's been about 2k miles since the alignment and still no shaking

Good luck mate! Tell us what was it afterwords!!!

My car had the exact same issue.

I replaced the front control arms & bushings - problem solved.

Given your mileage, I'd bet that this needs to be done at a minimum.

-G

My car shakes alot when accelerating at high speeds, my mechanic told me two of my axles are on their way out. Replacing them in the next couple weeks

I have the same problem not sure if this is the case but my front struts are leaking and right one is blown out. Just had front cv axles changed 6 months ago and the right front axle again yesterday and shake is still there. Will get to new suspension in next few weeks and let you know if that solved my issue.

I noticed shake goes away when I hit 70.

My ride has 122,000 mikes. I purchased it at 46,000. I love this vehicle but it has ALWAYS had a mild vibration starting around 65. The severity varies and of course when I take it out with a mechanic, its perfect. Before the warranty was up, the rear differential was replaced. no go. New tires, wheels have been balanced several times, brakes, rotors (all the basic maintenace items) because that what it feels like.
The vibration got worse, car shaking very bad after about 45 minutes on the highway and front differential and engine mounts were replaced. This problem was solved however the mild vibration is still there.
No CV joint noise, boots replaced.

Every time my wife and son drive the car they feel the vibration so I'm not the auto hypercondriac my friends think I am.
It sounds like it its time to start swapping parts and pray?
Help

$1 says FCABs or front axles.

I'm amazed they've lasted this long.

Try tightening your four front subframe bolts. I had to loosen mine to change out the motor mounts. I did not tighten then adequately and had major shakes. Now tighten I have no problem. No sure if e46s have harmonic balancers but if they do perhaps a problem there.

Originally Posted by gferrer

My steering wheel begins to shake pretty bad now at speeds from 50-60mph. Weird thing is that when you go a tad bit over 60 the shaking stops, also if you go under 50, say 45, the shaking also stops. Also the steering has been feeling pretty "loose" also. It has a little too much play.

The car has 126K now, and from what I've read from previous owners receipts I think most of the suspension components are the original ones. Also I've read up on axles being problematic in our cars around this mileage.

I know these are vague descriptions, but have any of you had any issues like this?
-I think I'll start off with an alignment, which I wanted to wait until I got home since father-in-law owns a shop.(is car safe to drive a 5 hour drive?)

Thanks for the help guys.

Start with the simple items like wheel balance, bent rims and alignment.

Bent wheels, balance and alignment are the biggest factors in shaking on any car. Once you address those issues, then I would start looking at the more expensive items. I've solved a lot of potentially expensive problems by eliminating the simple things 1st.

The axles and FCABs do fail in these cars, but I've been running the same FCABs and re-packed the same axles.....124K miles, no issues.

So it looks like the problem is caused by a wheel balance issue. It'll be taken care of this week and I'll let you guys know the results. I am also machining the rotors. Looks like they are some of the cause also. I guess the shaking at specific speeds is indicative of a wheel balance issue.

I really hope the issue doesn't involve the axles, but I'll probably have to look into that eventually given the mileage. Thanks for the help guys.

Thanks for keeping us posted. Do post back and let us know the results....I'm really hoping wheel balance and turned rotors will help since that is a cheap fix and usually solves the problem.

if shaking starts at certain speed and stops at certain speed it needs balancing. if it vibrates during acceleration then either allignment or bad front driveshafts. shaking at any speed at any time, its the tires or you have a bent rim.

Front control arm bushings, I would bet my life and my family on it.

Originally Posted by E RaK

Front control arm bushings, I would bet my life and my family on it.

haha You got a lot ridding on this one. I'll check that out also.

So I took my car to get the wheels balanced and apparently the wheels were fine and in need in no balancing. The issue that they found though was that my tires have began to "warp" or lump up. Due to tire improper air pressure? Is this an issue any of you have came across? They also said there is no safety concern. And the answer would be to get new tires. Sounded like a great salesman strategy.I will be having the car up on a lift this week to inspect other possible causes. Thanks for the help

warped tires due to improper inflation?

I suppose it is possible but it is nothing that i've personally experienced. Under inflated tires, I understand, can generate a LOT of heat in the sidewalls. Whether or not this can warp the tire I don't know. I can't imagine that a warped tire is safe though...

Let us know what happens...

-G

Originally Posted by deadwood83

$1 says FCABs or front axles.

I'm amazed they've lasted this long.

+1 for the bushings....