got the shakes

[1992-325iguy]

Hi guys. The front end of my 92 325i shakes when I make left hand turns at 60 mph or faster. Anyone experianced this before, or know what this could be? I've heard of the ball joints going bad on these cars, could this be it? Also, there's a grind when I shift from third to fourth, unless I let the rpm's drop way down before I finish the shift. Any idea what this could be Thanks guys

 

[Kirby]

Got the shakes? Delirium Tremens (DTs)? I love that beer!! LOL

Seriously,

Ball joints or front trailing arm (wishbone) bushings are the main culprits.

You can check the bushings by getting underneath and looking for cracks/dryrot. If they were never replaced, it's a sure thing on a 15 y.o. car. I'd bite the bullet and replace bushings and joints on both sides at the same time.

The grinding sounds like worn synchronizers. Only fix is a tear down.

Try double clutching:
In 3rd gear -> Clutch in -> Neutral -> Clutch out and right back in -> Shift to 4th

If it does not grind, that pretty much proves it is the synchronizer. If you don't mind double clutching, it's a "fix" for the problem.

 

[Doughnut]

The grinding sounds like worn synchronizers. Only fix is a tear down.

Try double clutching:
In 3rd gear -> Clutch in -> Neutral -> Clutch out and right back in -> Shift to 4th

If it does not grind, that pretty much proves it is the synchronizer. If you don't mind double clutching, it's a "fix" for the problem.

Double declutching is a temporary fix for your problem, and only slows synchro wear.
If the crunch is quite "brutal" you may need to have the gearbox pulled and the sychro replaced as fragments from it may damage other parts of the gearbox in time. Change your gearbox fluid to make changes a little more smoother.

In saying that, and while on the subject of gearboxes, i drove an old 1980's toyota corrolla with no clutch (grinding in gears) for a two days, however upon pulling and tearing the gearbox apart afterwards found only little wear on 1st and 2nd synchro rings!

 

[frolf]

In saying that, and while on the subject of gearboxes, i drove an old 1980's toyota corrolla with no clutch (grinding in gears) for a two days, however upon pulling and tearing the gearbox apart afterwards found only little wear on 1st and 2nd synchro rings!

haha, thats how i drive my gf's 96 Jetta if only she knew!!!!! but you get used to it, and by holding the revs so they let down a little bit slower than usual i can slide in on the upshifts very smoothly, and the downshifts you can't get into gear without being within a couple of rpm's.

this is my confession

 

[gpiron]

haha, thats how i drive my gf's 96 Jetta if only she knew!!!!! but you get used to it, and by holding the revs so they let down a little bit slower than usual i can slide in on the upshifts very smoothly, and the downshifts you can't get into gear without being within a couple of rpm's.

this is my confession

Frolf, I would be careful if I was you. If she ever finds out, she will be driving your babr while hers is in the shop and you'll end up with the bill...!!!

 

[frolf]

haha, i showed her how to drive without a clutch a while ago, i think she does it more than she admits

 

[1992-325iguy]

thanks

Thanks for the help guys. Hopfully one day I'll know as much about bimmers as you guys do. I have another question. My drivers side headlight is foggy, is there any way to fix this or do I need new head lights? Also, the bright light on that side won't work. I tried a new bulb and that didn't help. My reverse lights don't work either. I know these things are probably trivial, I hope. Thanks again for the help guys. I'm going to post some pics soon.

 

[Kirby]

There are a number of kits out there, they all involve polishing with progressively fine grit cleaner/polish. It's just elbow grease and time.

http://www.properautocare.com/blbapllepoki.html