MyE28.com

My 1984 533i has recently developed a bizarre vibration. It only occurs at speeds over 60 mph or so, and only when accelerating. Up to that point, there's no vibration. Let off the throttle, no vibration. The driveshaft was rebuilt and balanced a year ago with a new CSB, and less than 5k miles have been put on since. It feels like it's coming from the rear of the car, and there's not really anything noticeable up front (steering wheel doesn't vibrate). Tires and wheels were balanced last week. Also, the vibration feels "cyclical", that is, one second of vibration, a second of nothing. It's not constant, and seems to increase with speed. I don't get it. I searched, but couldn't find anything quite like this. I don't think I have a bent rim, but I'd probably have found that out at the tire shop last week. Anyone have ideas??

Half-shaft CV going TU?

I got that type of vibration with 1. out of round tyres and 2. when I forgot the hub-centering rings.

Maybe they didnt balance them perfectly...im guessing you didnt have the issue beforehand eh?

I did have the issue before the wheels were balanced. I'm going to reveal some likely ignorance here-- the car sat in the garage most of November through February to finish an engine rebuild, and the rear wheels were almost on the floor about a month ago. Only about 10 psi in each of the rears. Re-inflated them to 33 psi and all should have been well. Nope. Vibration only above 60-65mph, and only when accelerating. Had them balanced, and the vibration persists. I have some 14" bottlecaps that I put on. There's still some vibration, but it's barely noticeable. If the tires were out-of-round, shouldn't this have became evident when the tire shop balanced them? I'm really hoping it's as simple as that.

Obviously the bottlecaps nix the hubcentric rings theory.

Diff mount, CV's, and other bushings...?

Does the 533 have that stupid dynamic balancer around the guibo?

Reviving this thread because I want to know what the problem was. My 528e has the same problem. 233000 miles. Unfortunately this is the first time I have driven the car above 50mph in years. Also it just got 4 used style 42 wheels, 4 new tires, 4 hub centric spacers, new driveshaft, half shafts, rear wheel bearings, rear tranny mount. So it's hard to know which of these components could be slightly off, if any. It still has original rear diff rear upper bushing, and rear subframe bushings.
Only getting noticeable vibration above 65mph under throttle, and the steering wheel shakes a little also.
?

I need help. 88' 535i

I love this car.... Sloppy and loose with clunks and vibes when I purchased this ride. Now 1st week of March 2017.

Work completed.
Shocks and struts all around
Compliance arms and bushings
Sub frame connector bushings
A few other bushings in the front and back
New U joint
New center support bearing
New CV axels left & right
New rear diff mount
Tires road force balanced on a Hunter Machine
4 wheel alignment

Fuel pressure regulator, rough idol (fixed it)
Coolant flush... Because it was on the lift
Oil change ... Because it was on the lift
Rear diff Service ... Because it was on the lift

Items inspected
Guibo looks new
Tranny mounts are good
Engine mounts are good
Torque Checked every bolt under the hood...

I really need help...!!!

The vibration starts at 53mph and you can drive through the Vibration at 75+ mph

I got nothing , oh I checked the drive shaft looks clean no broken off weights this is gonna be my daily driver as I am selling my 2004 Middle East Edition E53.

The E28 will be my primary most likely this weekend if my E53 sells.

It's most likely 1 of 3 things.
Brake rotors out of true.
tires
Thrust arm or Upper control arm bushings are toast...if they were just replaced, they must be torqued with weight on them, or they die a quick death.

Thrust bushings, upper lower arms and bushings replaced. All properly torqued.

I will put the rotors on a lathe tomorrow...

2nd person that's said tires......hmmmm. I will be getting two new rear tires tomorrow then...Good ones. The vibes are coming out of the rear jacked up the car and ran it through the speeds. The rear end started jumping , what the hellls !?!? I've had all the wheels checked for damage all are good to go.

Any additional ideas. I gotta nail this down.