CAR House

Would appreciate any advice as to the cause of my 850CI steering wheel vibrating when I deccelerate to 55MPH. Don't know the cause of this "shimmying" of the wheel.

Time to rebuild your front end ---> front end bushings: replace both upper control arm bushings, replace entire lower control arms (can't reuse them), replace pitman arm, replace both sway bar links. Shimmy will be gone.

Do you run standard rims? If not this may be your problem, I needed hub centric rings.

Oh yes, like NickF said, rule out the wheels first. E31 hates a bad set of wheels. If you can avoid using hubcentric rings, you're even better off.

Would appreciate any advice as to the cause of my 850CI steering wheel vibrating when I deccelerate to 55MPH. Don't know the cause of this "shimmying" of the wheel.What side of the car is causing the problem? Have someone get in your car and slowly back up and stop, While you observe any movement in the front wheels, Check both sides for movement, You will easily see if it's control arms, I doubt it being both sides at once, Still depends on how old they are, My last violent vibration was at the same speeds, I chaged the driver side upper and lower control arms and all was well. Took every bit of 45 Minutes.

8eights, is replacing the control arms really that easy? The job has been looming for me for some time and i keep putting it off. I expected it to be a many hour nightmare. Do you need any special tools? Is it as easy as removing the two bolts that hold it on, replacing the arm, preloading and tightening? Nothing's that easy on an 8.....

Also once done take it to R-tec for wheel alignment.

8eights, is replacing the control arms really that easy? The job has been looming for me for some time and i keep putting it off. I expected it to be a many hour nightmare. Do you need any special tools? Is it as easy as removing the two bolts that hold it on, replacing the arm, preloading and tightening? Nothing's that easy on an 8.....It's pretty easy, I highly recommend air tools, Makes it a breeze!

Yes, an alignment is in order after front end rebuild.

Before you go to big repairs, Rule out your wheels and then inspect your thrust arm bushings. They are liquid filled bushings and will leak (because of either age and/or improper installation) and will result in the vibration you describe (Vibration during decelaration and around 55 MPH).

If they are leaking or already leaked all the fluid out, just replace them with making sure that they are pre-loaded (Torqued down only with the vehicle load on the wheels). Alternatively you can use the Euro E34 M5 bushings (Part # 31 12 2 226 528) and not worry about them going bad again soon. They have much more rubber, angled differently but will fit and work very well.

Thank you all for your advice/comments/replies. I appreciate it.