I'm at a loss here! Replaced everything and still 60mph shimmy!!!

[RenaissanceMan]

Folks, I need some serious guidance here. I have been contending with the 60mph shimmy on my '95 525it almost as long as I've had the car.

Today I took on the task of installing new Bilstein HD struts and brand new Lemforder thrust arms (which had M5 bushings pre-installed, as I was told they'd be the most heavy-duty). We just took the car for a ride, and dangit the shimmy is STILL there. The car rides much tighter, but that infamous shaking at highway speeds has not gone away.

Let me tell you what else I have done to try and solve this problem:

-Replaced all 4 wheels with new ones
-Replaced all 4 tires with new ones
-Tightened up the steering box to eliminate play

FWIW, I have not yet replaced the control arms, but from what I have read, this is most often caused by the thrust arm bushings, instead. Is that correct?

What the heck else could be causing this to continue? I'm about to tear my hair out, as I've spent so much time and money trying to solve this issue. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!

[russiankid]

Check the transmission mounts and center bearing on the driveshaft. My car vibrates at 55mph because my transmission is not in great shape.

[MBXB]

Steering tie rods, center link and idler all tight?

[Scott C]

Did you tighten the big nut on the steering column (above your feet and above the panel on the bottom)? There was a LOT of freeplay between the steering wheel and steering box on my car - I had like two turns of this nut to tighten her up.

Scott

[Dave M]

I second the tie rods. This and a good wheel balance fixed my shimmy.

Dave

[genphreak]

1. Left field this; but some tyre places are dumb with our cars: Do the new wheels have the right hub diameter to seat perfectly on the hubs (maybe they just need hub-centric rings?)

... ( the cheapest solution so I said it up-front.)

2. I had the same poos with my 535 once (but only downhill under brakes), turned out to be the Lower Control Arm bushings.

3. However when the SLS in my 95 touring had the wrong fluid and a slipping serpentine belt, it also had a really weird 60mph shudder that I couldn't isolate (until I addressed the SLS) - the thing that gave this away was that it was made worse by weight in the back

I've heard of rotors being able to cause the wobbles too...

[Kibokojoe]

For me it was rotors. List everything you have done so far

[Scott C]

Did you tighten the big nut on the steering column (above your feet and above the panel on the bottom)? There was a LOT of freeplay between the steering wheel and steering box on my car - I had like two turns of this nut to tighten her up.

Scott

Have you lifted the front end, and inspected by moving the wheel by hand vertically and laterally while someone holds the steering wheel?

Scott

[Tiger]

What wheels do you have now?

In your case, I would have to guess the lower control arms are your problem.

[632 Regal]

out of round tires

and everything they said