Driving your BMW with a shaky wheel is not only inconvenient but also hazardous. Such vibrations are signs of an underlying issue with your vehicle, and these issues must be addressed as soon as possible. Ignoring these signs would compromise both your comfort and the safety of all road users.
Unbalanced wheels, tire damage, broken rim, worn engine mounts, faulty wheel bearing, and loose lug nuts are the most prevalent reasons for a shaking wheel in a BMW.
Unbalanced wheels
Unbalanced wheels are the major reason why the wheel shakes or vibrates in BMW, especially while driving at high speeds. A driver feels the most vibration whenever the front wheel is out of balance. However, when the back wheel is out of balance, the vibration is felt throughout the entire vehicle.
- What causes out-of-balance BMW wheels?: An imbalance in your BMW’s wheels is frequently caused by uneven tire wear or impact by potholes or objects. This causes the rim and tire’s center of gravity to move unevenly around the axis. The wheel would begin to vibrate and the steering wheel would wobble as a result of the centrifugal force that happens at high speeds. This increases the wear and tear not just on the wheels, but also in other components.
- How are the wheels of BMW balanced? BMW wheels may be balanced using a specialized wheel balancer. The wheels are gripped and turned in the machine. Various sensors detect if the wheels are working smoothly or unevenly during rotation. If an imbalance is identified, tiny weights are attached to the rim to fix it. These compensate for the tire’s unequal weight distribution and guarantee that the wheel would run smoothly.
- How often should the tires of a BMW be balanced? There are no set intervals for balancing BMW tires; however, it is advised that you balance it with tire rotation every six months. Regular balancing not only lowers tire wear and eliminates costly vehicle damage, but it also improves driving comfort and safety.
Tire wear
One of the most prevalent reasons for a wobbly wheel is tire wear. You need to examine all of the tires in your BMW for cracks, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear. However, occasionally the damage to the tire is not immediately obvious, such as when the belt breaks within the tire, which can happen even with brand new tires. A crack or bulge in your tire’s sidewall indicates damage to the tire’s carcass or casing, which occurs when you drive over specific obstacles, such as deep potholes.
Damage to the rim
A bent rim might also lead to a shaky wheel in your BMW. This type of damage commonly happens when an impediment, such as a deep pothole or speed bump, is driven over too rapidly. Balancing the wheels is unlikely to solve the problem. A bent rim should be replaced.
Inspect the wheels carefully to check that the rims and spokes are not deformed or broken.
Even if no obvious damage is present, the entire rim may be bent, giving an uneven diameter. By installing the rim on the wheel balancing machine, a skilled technician can determine if it is bent.
Wheel bearing failure
A faulty wheel bearing in a BMW can cause wheel vibrations. The most typical symptoms of a faulty wheel bearing are a grinding sound in the cabin when going straight and a loud noise when cornering. It gets dangerous if you ignore the indications of a faulty wheel bearing and keep driving. In the worst-case situation, the damaged wheel locks up or tears off while driving.
Engine mounts that have deteriorated
The engine mounts of BMW are designed to keep the engine in place while minimizing vibration transmission to the car body. Engine mounts are constantly stressed because they are subjected to high pressures, intense vibrations, and environmental impacts. As a result, regardless of quality, they all wear down during use and eventually require replacement, usually after 5-10 years.
The most common technique to identify a faulty engine mount is by its symptoms. Visible vibrations on the body, steering wheel, or gear shift lever, even while the engine is idling, signal a major problem. Unusual sounds are also apparent indications of a faulty engine mount.
Loosen wheel nuts
Another apparent reason for wheel vibrations in your BMW is that the wheel lug nuts may have fallen loose or were not correctly tightened when changing tires. A lug wrench can be used to verify and rule out this problem.
Balance BMW Shaky Wheel in Louisville at Turning Wrenches
At Turning Wrenches, we 
have certified BMW mechanics that will ensure your car returns to its top condition. Our team of technicians is well-trained to deliver the best customer service to drivers in Louisville, KY. Contact us now or book an appointment with us. We look forward to giving your vehicle the best care possible.
* BMW Car image credit goes to: huettenhoelscher.