[NKOTB2015]

Started noticing about a month ago that when taking fast sweeping curves, my rear end feels like it's driving on ice...like it's going to slide out. It hasn't actually slid out or cause me to lose control yet, but it feels alarming to the point where i'm forced to slow way down.

Checked tire condition and inflation and both are fine so I'm guessing something is going on in the suspension...if anyone have a suggestion on what to look for, that will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

[BringBackButtons]

How old are the tires?

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by BringBackButtons

How old are the tires?

3yrs. I'm leaning that it's not age of the tires since the problem started about a month ago...i don't think the age of the tires would cause this type of problem over night? If it got progressively worse, then maybe.

[BringBackButtons]

Just trying to gather data as it wasnt stated. Start simple is my avenue.

Vague or uncontrollable rear end feeling could be your sway bar or sway bar links? Thats my first "easy" check to start with.

Beyond that, rear toe links or differential is what id check after that. Good luck, im not mechanically inclined to help you further than that on this platform yet as i dont have any experience yet replacing those. Youtube may be your friend, or pay a mechanic a case of beer to just do a quick check...make sure he checks the car before drinking said case of beer 🍺 🤔 😅

[Kernel Kurtz]

If the overall balance of the car has changed from understeer toward oversteer be sure to consider any recent changes or out of spec elements in the front end as well.

[2ndRat]

Also consider checking wheel alignment in rear. I'm relatively new to BMWs, but had an issue years back with a Audi quattro - tire tech failed to tighten the locks on rear toe adjustment after an alignment. The car behaved a lot like you describe.

[John in VA]

Make sure the rear trailing arm bushings are in good shape.

[leftoverture]

What tire pressures are you running front & rear? These things are very sensitive to pressure and a drop of a couple pounds can be noticeable, so let's stay on tire pressure until we have your data.

[Nickies]

Originally Posted by NKOTB2015

3yrs. I'm leaning that it's not age of the tires since the problem started about a month ago...i don't think the age of the tires would cause this type of problem over night? If it got progressively worse, then maybe.

You don't tell which model you have.

[zoro2001]

He's got a 235i conv.

[NKOTB2015]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. Just to add, I'm running square set up runflats...34psi all around. I'm still not convinced its due to tires (due to the sudden onset of the symtoms...I would think tire issue would come on more progressively?) but obviously I'm no expert, which is why I'm asking here lol.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by BringBackButtons

Just trying to gather data as it wasnt stated. Start simple is my avenue.

Vague or uncontrollable rear end feeling could be your sway bar or sway bar links? Thats my first "easy" check to start with.

Beyond that, rear toe links or differential is what id check after that. Good luck, im not mechanically inclined to help you further than that on this platform yet as i dont have any experience yet replacing those. Youtube may be your friend, or pay a mechanic a case of beer to just do a quick check...make sure he checks the car before drinking said case of beer 🍺 🤔 😅

Thank you for your feedback. I'm planning to take the wheels off and check the suspension this weekend.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

If the overall balance of the car has changed from understeer toward oversteer be sure to consider any recent changes or out of spec elements in the front end as well.

It's not so much shifting of the overall balance...it literally feels like the back end is on ice when I'm driving through a curve...get the same butterfly in my stomach...you know the feeling when you feel like you're about to lose traction (and control) driving in icy conditions in the winter? but it's isolated to only back end of the car.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by 2ndRat

Also consider checking wheel alignment in rear. I'm relatively new to BMWs, but had an issue years back with a Audi quattro - tire tech failed to tighten the locks on rear toe adjustment after an alignment. The car behaved a lot like you describe.

Will do after I check out recommended suspension components. Thx.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by John in VA

Make sure the rear trailing arm bushings are in good shape.

Thank you for your feedback. Is this a visual check? Just wondering what the best method is for checking the bushings...unless they're obviously rotted out or something...what should I look for and how to check? Thanks again.

[freakystyly]

Nothing on the road like gravel, oil, soap?
Tire tread still deep enough?
Wet or dry roads?
Does it only happen when applying gas or does it happen when coasting too? Only when cornering or does it seem like your spinning more on acceleration too?

It sounds like you're driving with traction control off since it would be freaking out at the slightest slip, so it likely wouldn't be related to that...

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Nothing on the road like gravel, oil, soap?
Tire tread still deep enough?
Wet or dry roads?
Does it only happen when applying gas or does it happen when coasting too? Only when cornering or does it seem like your spinning more on acceleration too?

It sounds like you're driving with traction control off since it would be freaking out at the slightest slip, so it likely wouldn't be related to that...

No, sir. clean, dry roads.
I want to say both under power and coasting...I enter the curve under moderate power and have to lift off due to the "rears on ice" feeling so I don't end up spinning out (hasn't happened yet) but still get that slick feeling in the back even when coasting through the curve.
Traction control on.

[zoro2001]

Try going to a parking lot and see if the back end actually let's go.

[freakystyly]

Any curb hitting or road debris?

Sounding like an alignment issue as mentioned in post 5. If something changed quickly and not gradual.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by zoro2001

Try going to a parking lot and see if the back end actually let's go.

I'm hesitant to try this out...not many parking lots big enough and empty enough...and I don't want to drive that fast through a parking lot, regardless of there are ppl around or not.

[NKOTB2015]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Any curb hitting or road debris?

Sounding like an alignment issue as mentioned in post 5. If something changed quickly and not gradual.

Hmmm...no...deft no curb hitting. I do remember hitting a pothole...but can't remember exactly whether that was before or after this issue.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by NKOTB2015

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. Just to add, I'm running square set up runflats...34psi all around. I'm still not convinced its due to tires (due to the sudden onset of the symtoms...I would think tire issue would come on more progressively?) but obviously I'm no expert, which is why I'm asking here lol.

Try 32 psi front and 36 in back. When I felt my rear was loose that's what I went with and it made a huge difference.