John Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Hi guys, I have a intermittent problem with my e46 330 sport coupe. I drove it to europe a couple of months back and after many hours driving, the car started to judder slightly, and got worse. I took a break then it dissapeared. Ever since I haven't really noticed it. Driving to Bournemouth lastnite in the torential rain it started again and got pretty bad, the dashboard shaking slighty and even my CD skipping a couple of times, so you can imagine. I tried putting the car in neutral, still there, sped up (from my stead 75mph), still there, slowed down to about 50mph, got worse. Then it just faded away really! The juddering in question feels like from the base of the car and doesn't seem to be coming from a specific side of the car. And it's not just the steering wheel for example, i can also feel it in my seat! It's a wierd problem, but it DEFINETELY is a problem that needs to be seen to. I'd appreciated any advice on this matter, maybe somebody has encountered the same in the past, saving me from trying to explain it to my local mechanic and then him trying to find the problem. Please help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan316i Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Possibly a buckled wheel or 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 sounds like it could be bearings or bushes problem?? someone more technical will no doubt be along soon and sort you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocky325 Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 quite poss a sticking brake chap had a similar problem with my 36 m3 and it needed a new piston and seal kit on front caliper and fixed the prob, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 I just had the front arm rear bushes replaced. And I feel a slight improvement to the handling. Possibly some other bushes/bearings are worn??? If it was buckled wheel it would do it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 think its a combo of bushes and your discs may be warpped...make sure tracking is done aswell m8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Which bushes? I just had new bads and front disc put on 2days ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Someone told me it could be propshaft coupling or bearing, i looked it up and it seems most likely. Sticking brake caliper unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Does it do it when the car idles? If not it could be an engine or transmission mount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 It's not just wheel balancing is it? If your wheels aren't balanced your car will shake at high speeds. If you think it might be the engine... once my Dad had a problem like this and it turned out to be leaves in the air intake that were blocking the air from getting in - but it only happened when he drove fast because the pressure would suck them towards the filter or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Hmmm if you did the bbushes and disc then if deffo aint that then....I think it could be a bearing then.....do you notice any road sound while driving around normally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Surely if its a bearing it would just make a noise rather than make the car judder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duffman Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 mate of mine had the same symptoms it turned out to be a cracked rear subframe!!! hope this isnt the case mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 TBH I hop not cos I get a slight judder too......I better check this weekend of the hevans permit...with my luck atm I probably will be...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Tbh I had a inspection II carried out and they checked most things and the suggested I change the front rear arm bushes, which I did and the brake discs and pads. I had this worked carried out by a seperate garage and went and spoke to him today. They said it looked fine up on the ramp, surely both placed would notice something serious like a crack!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 John i have the same issue as you m8..tbh I checked the subframe a while back with some pictures to compare to and didn't notice anything glearing....as I said before do you get any other noise while driving a squealling or anything...would be interesting to find our what is causing this...it's gotta be something to do with the front suspention as the juddering is felt through steering wheel feedback. hey I hit 2000 with this post.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duffman Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 hope your right john. not trying to scare ya mate but the crack on my mates car was covered by muck and dirt. the crack was at the rear pass side spring mount. he only spotted it when he fitted his new lowering springs. cost him a fortune to fix but luckily his insurance coughed up the money for him. i really hope that this isnt the problem john, you could do an inspection yourself by taking off your back wheels and have a look at the area where the axel mounts meet the subframe. this is generally where the cracks appear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Doubt it would be the rear subframe as they affected the majority of 323 and 328i's. It could be your wheels are out of balance maybe your tracking is out too. Checked your wheel nuts that there tight and not loose? Doubt it is the propshaft coupling but when you accelerate hard does it vibrate from the rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Id still get engine and tranny mounts checked, these definately cause a juddering and arent too expensive to fix from memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db9x Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 quite interesting what a search will throw up, have exactly the same problem with mine which has developed over the weekend, judders from front end on a longish run (usually starts after 10-20 miles) the drivers side alloy wheel is getting hot compared to the passenger side one , might be worth checking yours after a run which the problem kicks in on I'm 100% this a sticking caliper, have jet washed all round the caliper and it does seem better (may be down to the cooling down of the disc ) although i will be getting it booked in to have a look at I think new pads + discs at front and a new seal kit will sort this out I'd definately say its not anything MAJOR ie subframe as its an intermittent issue from your original post much like my own problem its more than likely you've picked some s*** up off the roads (film/salt/oil) which is causing it to stick, pretty common this time of year as the roads have had a chance to collect alsorts over the summer without the rain to wash it away will update how i sort mine but its very same as yours mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Let us know how you get on ....keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 If it is just a sticking caliper it could just need a little copper grease, well worth putting some on the back of your pads and in where the pad site, this will help too. Keep us posted on how these go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BristolBeemer Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Judders can also mean: Your tracking is out.You have wheel balancing issues (ie you have lost a counterwight)You have a defect in one of your tyres The 3rd option is the worse because it may get worse over time and eventually lead to a burst tyre. I had a defect in a tyre side wall blow out at 80mph on the motorway. Its no fun trying to bring a car to a stop on 3 wheels. If the judder gets worse over the course of a journey it could mean that this is the problem. If you think about it, if you have a tyre wall defect, the gradual heating up of the air in the tyre will cause it to expand, possibly causing the tyre wall to bulge changing the tyres profile and inducing a vibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db9x Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 well as i initially thought my problem was indeed brake related , caliper sticking on driver side (apparently a few have come in around my 02 plate manufacture year so possibly wear and tear / lifespan) as its brakes related i'm changing out the whole lot , new caliper , discs and pads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 ouch! Must cost a bit, however you cannot put a price on saftey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
