She shimmies like my sister Kate

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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mich
Joined: Wed 16 Feb, 2005 05:53
Posts: 824

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: King Country
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She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by mich »

I have not posted here for a long while but would like to run this past our resident experts:

I have not taken the Z for a decent run for about 12 months so to day off I set for Taupo after 20-25k noticed a bit of steering wheel shimmy @50-55k/h that’s funny said me to Mrs mich, new tyres 12 months ago and recently had to have balanced for the 2nd time can't they do anything right mumble mumble etc etc….

Well it got progressively worse coming in at all speeds between 50 and 90k/h on two occasions it really started to shake as if on deep ruts could it be the brakes hanging on which had happened just after purchasing the car and gave similar symptoms???
After a bit of a walk around in Taupo, lunch etc we headed home the first 50k or so no problems then it started again coming and then disappearing it made no difference if I gently applied the brake or on a bend or accelerating etc so I am thinking …front dampers, steering joints (just passed its WOF) hydraulic knocking in power steering which I have never experienced but am deeply suspicious of but you would expect some difference on cornering, I will check oil level in the morning……??????
Has any one experienced or heard of this??
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Robert T
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Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by Robert T »

Stuck calliper springs to mind. Were any of the wheels hot?

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by Del »

I agree with Robert - this sudden "vibration" after a few miles and at moderate speed sounds like a sticking calliper. I had this happen to each of my front callipers within weeks of each other. As Roberts says, the "clincher" is that the wheel gets hot. One of mine got so hot it warped the little plastic BMW badge in the centre of the wheel. I replaced both with remanufactured (exchange) callipers and everything was perfect again. :)
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by bertiejaffa »

I had this recently - turned out I had a slow puncture and one wheel was lower PSI than all the rest
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Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by Brian4 »

I would agree with sticking calipers as it is a well known E36 trait and especially as yours has not had much use in the last 12 months. The calipers can be cleaned up and resealed or replaced.
Brian
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2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by TitanTim »

The front calipers are around £210 each :P

Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
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mich
Joined: Wed 16 Feb, 2005 05:53
Posts: 824

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: King Country
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Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by mich »

Thanks every one for your comments, it does seem that the brakes are the culprit you can see the discolouration of the disc (rf) through the wheel. Hey ho more B&**#2 expense. :lol: :lol:
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Scrapman
Joined: Thu 06 Mar, 2014 21:23
Posts: 9

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Ayrshire

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by Scrapman »

So, tell me about Kate.........
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mich
Joined: Wed 16 Feb, 2005 05:53
Posts: 824

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: King Country
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Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by mich »

Scrapman wrote:So, tell me about Kate.........

A pleasure old chap..............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R4z_i1lN5c
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Rocketbike
Joined: Thu 17 May, 2012 20:12
Posts: 83

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: She shimmies like my sister Kate

Post by Rocketbike »

Have you got a picture?
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