Wheel Balancing with spacers

[johntclark]

Curious if anyone else has issues with balancing the stock set of M6 wheels with 10mm spacers ? I have a 2013 m6 and generally there ok until I hit 70-110 mph. Slight shake at the wheel. It's bugging the hell out of me.. Last time this was an issue it was a control arm issue. I am hoping it is not due to the spacers. I bought Macht Schnell.

[Hunter5179]

That is a common problem on 2013. It's the bushings that function within the steering assembly. They corrected it for 2014. You can have it repaired if you complain about it to your dealer. Adding spacers would just amplify the vibrations because it's a separate piece but it has nothing to do with the spacers. Another forum member had the same issue and he had his repaired. I also am currently having mine done. BMW is aware if this but they don't want to go mainstream with it. Go to your dealer and tell your SA. He will have to contact BMW NA to authorize the repair. Good luck. Bmw should just do a recall on the steering wheel bushings assembly and just have it done but if people don't complain why bother right.

[AlphaAlpineM6]

I have this same problem with my Macht Schnell spacers.

[Hunter5179]

It's not the spacers but the spacer do amplify the vibration.

[johntclark]

I brought my m6 to the shop and should have results soon. Wheels are at zero so they are clear. Hope it works. I am ready to have my damn car back. Been in and out fixing newbie problems.

[johntclark]

What parts are to be replaced? Anyone have a ticket I could look at? My advisor is trying to help.

[stratostreakinjun]

The stock wheel on the stock hub has a very small amount of play between the hub and the inner bore of the wheel. Just for arbitrary numbers lets say .2mm of hub movement inside the wheel with the wheel loose.

When you add spacers if they are not very tight on the hub you add to the play. So if the spacer is loose on the hubs and (again arbitrary #'s) and has .4mm of play and then the spacer is also loose inside the bore of the wheel and has .4mm of play you now have .8mm of play instead of the factory .2mm. The wheel is no longer center very well.

Spacers that have this much slop literally fall on the floor when you take the wheel off. There are other spacers out there that stick to the wheel or hub and have to be pryed out of the wheel or off the hub with a screw driver they fit so tight and center the wheel much better.

So I don't think spacers alone are the soul cause but maybe improperly fitted spacers are more the problem.

My personal preference is I would not run any sort of spacer unless needed for extra brake caliper clearance due to huge brakes/small wheels or some other issue. Just me though.

[stratostreakinjun]

Originally Posted by Hunter5179

That is a common problem on 2013. It's the bushings that function within the steering assembly. They corrected it for 2014. You can have it repaired if you complain about it to your dealer. Adding spacers would just amplify the vibrations because it's a separate piece but it has nothing to do with the spacers. Another forum member had the same issue and he had his repaired. I also am currently having mine done. BMW is aware if this but they don't want to go mainstream with it. Go to your dealer and tell your SA. He will have to contact BMW NA to authorize the repair. Good luck. Bmw should just do a recall on the steering wheel bushings assembly and just have it done but if people don't complain why bother right.

Got a pic or part #
There are no bushings where the rack meets the subframe. Maybe the "rag joint" rubber coupling thing in the steering shaft? That would just numb a vibe that was there though not stop it.

[Hunter5179]

Originally Posted by stratostreakinjun

Got a pic or part #
There are no bushings where the rack meets the subframe. Maybe the "rag joint" rubber coupling thing in the steering shaft? That would just numb a vibe that was there though not stop it.

I'm having forum member Noushy chime in with all the details. He's probably performing a surgery of some kind now so he will post up when he is free.

[noushy]

So for Hunter here goes. Wheel spacers especially in the front. The new revision control arms change the angle ever so slightly yet eliminate the shake that was inherent in 2013 MY F12/13 M6. Spacers would completely throw that off and in my opinion a very bad idea. All the balancing in the world will not eliminate the shaking in the steering wheel. This is after I spent a whole year trying to eliminate it and found out BMW made a new set of steering arms that are standard in the 2014 and all GC M6.

[johntclark]

So I did everything under the sun to correct this issue with the Macht's. Balance (again), road force, checked steering and bushings, and checked all additional parts that could contribute to this balance issue.

I took the advise of my shop tech to return the Macht and purchase H&R. To my surprise the first thing I noticed was the H&R have zero play as apposed to the Macht.

I have only been able to get up to 80 due to some crappy weather in Dallas but no sign of vibration. Could it be a fix?????!!!??

If I don't respond tomorrow then the problem is solved.

[johntclark]

Zero wheel vibration.

Macht - no good

H&R - good

[Hunter5179]

Originally Posted by johntclark

Zero wheel vibration.

Macht - no good

H&R - good

This is only for a 10mm application correct? Have you tried H&R 5mm?