Wobble at 55 mph, need some help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Wobble at 55 mph, need some help
Been fighting this problem for a while now, thought it was gone but it's not. Trying to figure out if my rear wheel play is acceptable or not. Need to ask someone here to try something for me.
When I jack up the rear wheels and check the play at 12-6 oclock, I get about .100 or less at the tire edges so there is definetly play. At 3-6 no play at all. The Diff has been rebuilt so I'm assuming this play maybe normal and just yoke play. Struts are new so no issues there.
I'm asking if a couple people could go check same thing and tell me if they at least have a little play at 12-6. THX
When I jack up the rear wheels and check the play at 12-6 oclock, I get about .100 or less at the tire edges so there is definetly play. At 3-6 no play at all. The Diff has been rebuilt so I'm assuming this play maybe normal and just yoke play. Struts are new so no issues there.
I'm asking if a couple people could go check same thing and tell me if they at least have a little play at 12-6. THX
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
i to have play at 12 and 6.but my vibration was not from there.most common cause of wobble is an imbalance from your tires.the rule of thumb that was explained to me is that an imbalance far from the rotational center line will cause the most vibration.hence tires #1,bearings not so much.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 9
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
i to have play at 12 and 6.but my vibration was not from there.most common cause of wobble is an imbalance from your tires.the rule of thumb that was explained to me is that an imbalance far from the rotational center line will cause the most vibration.hence tires #1,bearings not so much.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
If you are not up to date on the condition of your under carriage, I would start with that. Looseness in the ball joints or other suspension points will not of itself cause a wobble. But it will allow an out of balance tire or a bent wheel to. An out of balance tire in tight suspension will cause a vibration, but that's not what I would call a wobble.
A complete inspection of all ball joints, control arm bushings front and back, wheel bearing looseness is where you start and only takes about 15 minutes. Once you've confirmed everything is tight spin the tires by hand (you'll need to put stands under the rear trailing arms at the wheels to straighten the suspension enough that they will turn freely)one at a time and look for run-out. That could take the form of a bent wheel or squirming tread from a separated cord in the tire. If that all looks good, have them balanced.
Steve g
A complete inspection of all ball joints, control arm bushings front and back, wheel bearing looseness is where you start and only takes about 15 minutes. Once you've confirmed everything is tight spin the tires by hand (you'll need to put stands under the rear trailing arms at the wheels to straighten the suspension enough that they will turn freely)one at a time and look for run-out. That could take the form of a bent wheel or squirming tread from a separated cord in the tire. If that all looks good, have them balanced.
Steve g
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Yeah my suspicion is a bad tire or wheel. The thing is I've had the wheels balanced twice and once while I watched and they should be good. But the vibration is so large that you would think it should be obvious to the naked eye.
I was going to try and have someone drive next to me at that speed and see if they can tell anything but I'm not sure if it would be noticeable.
I'm due for new tires pretty soon so I guess I'll just see what happens after that.
I was going to try and have someone drive next to me at that speed and see if they can tell anything but I'm not sure if it would be noticeable.
I'm due for new tires pretty soon so I guess I'll just see what happens after that.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
One thing I'm thinking about is if the balancer only spins the tires say at 40 mph max, then it would never "see" the out of balance at 55.
Maybe I need to find some kind of super balancer that can spin up to that speed?
Maybe I need to find some kind of super balancer that can spin up to that speed?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Find a shop that has a balancer that also measures road force variance. Even though a wheel/tire is balanced, it can still have variations in the steel belts, roundness in the wheel or tire, etc., that can cause problems on the road.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: florida
i've seen this before. try jacking up the car one wheel at a time. Get the tire about a 1/4 inch off the ground put a straight edge on the side of the tire with the same gap and spin the tire. You should find a bad spot with a bubble
