Re: Famous 5 series shimmy - please help more... (archive)

Niche makes a fine rim. However I would recomed ballancing the rim WITHOUT the tire on it. Then ballance the rim and tire together as a rotating assembly.
You'r problem is most likley somewhere in the allignment. A good allignment will correct the issue. (a good allignment does NOT mean you make all 4 wheel point in the same dirrection.) A bad allignment will simply put a band aid on the problem. There are several items that could possibly go bad and or wear out that you are overlooking. Toe, Camber, Caster and Tire Lead, steer (rear and front) all play a part. Your typical allignemnt shop will not know what to adjust and where for the oversized rims (stock numbers don't work when you pack on a healthy rim). I'd keep the Niche's and dump the Monroe shocks / struts though. Remember, when you go up to an 18 wheel, you're completly changing the geometry of the suspention of the car. (is you wear just front or just back, or all 4) ((if it's just rear, what is your static and compressed pinion angle??) One needs to understand a little about math and how to PROPRLY calculate what the car is going to do when you play with the suspension. What spring rates did you put back in the car, versus what come out of it? Are you running a split from FL to FR? Do the springs provide any cross weight? What does the car look like on (for example) racing wheel weight scales? (weight of each tire LF, RF, LR, RR at the contact patch) Are you running any additional 1/4 or 1/2 rubbers in the springs for tuning?
If I can dig up my notes, I'll provide what set- up worked for me.
Read more on the dynamics of suspension through Stock Car Racing books such as in some of the Steve Smith Motorsports books where he reviews the hows and whats of suspension, spring rates, geometry, etc.

I had a 535 that had 18" rims, all was well, other than I enjoyed it too much, so yes, not only did I have outter wear, I can center wear and inner wear too :-)

If you are not interested in the performace of the car with the bigger wheels and tires, and just want the look, deal with the problem, you got what you wanted.

I have an '89 535i with 18" Niche pultec wheels. I had the upper control arm bushings replaced about 6,000 miles ago. The shimmy has returned. Should have the bushings worn so quickly, especially considering I am running 18" wheels? I heard the right way to fix it is by using 750 series bushings. Is this true, and will it cure the problem for good? Also, my front tires are wearing more on the outside edges, and I did have a wheel alignment done after adding new H&R sport springs and new Monroe sensitrac shocks and struts. Any experiences or advice? I would very much appreciate any help. Thank you.

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