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new vette owner question...

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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 01:46 PM
  #1  
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i just bought my first vette, and i love i. its a red 86 the guy kept in a garage. its now my new daily driver. it har 107xxx on it and it seems that every time i get around 90mph the whole car starts to shake, and because of this i do not go any farther or stay t that speed. the tires are pretty low on tread, but they are still above the wear marks. any ideas?
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 02:10 PM
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my vette did that too. i replaced the front rotors and it went away. not sure if you have the same problem but thats what helped me.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 02:17 PM
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Take it to a trusted tire dealer and have them check things out. You didn't run over one of those pesky armadillos did you?
By the way, www.tirerack.com has the 255/50/WR16 Sumitomo tires for your car on sale for under $80 each. At least they did last week. Might want to check it out.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:17 PM
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Hmmm
My order of checking
Tires balanced? (get a Hunter road Force balance )if it's been sititing LONG flat spots, loose belt?
Brakes rotor warped?
Shocks ? look for seepage
Front end alignment? Ball joints, kingpins
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by rws.1
Hmmm
My order of checking
Tires balanced? (get a Hunter road Force balance )if it's been sititing LONG flat spots, loose belt?
Brakes rotor warped?
Shocks ? look for seepage
Front end alignment? Ball joints, kingpins
I agree, getting tires balanced would be first step. Good Luck, Guy,
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by rws.1
Hmmm
My order of checking
Tires balanced? (get a Hunter road Force balance )if it's been sititing LONG flat spots, loose belt?
Brakes rotor warped?
Shocks ? look for seepage
Front end alignment? Ball joints, kingpins

I agree; tire/wheel imbalance would be my first check.
Then, a bulged tire.
Then, a bent rim.

Flat spots show up way before 100mph.
Warped rotors don't show up unless the brakes are applied.
Shocks? A long shot for a shaking car.
Ditto front end alignment.

corvetteronw gave good advice; take it to a tire professional.
I'm betting it's either tires or wheels.

Larry
code5coupe
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by rws.1
Hmmm
My order of checking
Tires balanced? (get a Hunter road Force balance )if it's been sititing LONG flat spots, loose belt?
Brakes rotor warped?
Shocks ? look for seepage
Front end alignment? Ball joints, kingpins
but I would check the alignment before the rotors, since you didn't say that this was happening under breaking.

And another thing.....
If it IS that your tires have a flat spot from sitting too long, remember that the rest of the car will have issues from sitting. If you think you actually have that problem, be sure to change all of the fluids, the belt, and the water hoses. They don't like sitting any better than tires do.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 02:15 AM
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And remember, no more driving 90 mph until you identify the problem and correct it and put on a new set of tires. For all you know, you might have a tire(s) that's split from old age and is ready to let go. That would not be a fun experience, especially at 90 mph. You just may never be able to tell a story of what it felt like.

Driving with a good set of tires is so very important, and too often, while walking past cars, I've seen tires that have very little if any tread left. I once saw a set of tires and one of the tires' cord was protruding. I could not believe this person was driving with this tire. It was an accident waiting to happen.

On many occasions, I've seen bald tires all around. If people are short on cash, they may procrastinate and extend the time before replacing the tires. I can only assume that they figure if the car is drivable, they'll be okay and since the car is driving, the tires must be fine. But one day, they'll be in for one hell of a surprise.

So what I'm telling you is replace your tires. You will immediately see a change in response and handling. And it couldn't hurt to have your alignment checked while you're there. I'd hate for you to purchase a new set of tires only to ruin them because the alignment was not set correctly. Get them properly balanced and after all this, you will most likely feel an amazing difference.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 07:03 AM
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Tires, tires, tires......................
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:35 AM
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I would definitely check the tires. Sounds like a balance problem if it only occurs at 90 mph.


Mine would vibrate at around 75-80, wasn't bad, but it was noticable. Put new tires on and the problem went away.



No more 90 mph blasts until you figure it out. We want you around a while longer.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 85 500 horse
And remember, no more driving 90 mph until you identify the problem and correct it and put on a new set of tires. For all you know, you might have a tire(s) that's split from old age and is ready to let go. That would not be a fun experience, especially at 90 mph. You just may never be able to tell a story of what it felt like.

Driving with a good set of tires is so very important, and too often, while walking past cars, I've seen tires that have very little if any tread left. I once saw a set of tires and one of the tires' cord was protruding. I could not believe this person was driving with this tire. It was an accident waiting to happen.

On many occasions, I've seen bald tires all around. If people are short on cash, they may procrastinate and extend the time before replacing the tires. I can only assume that they figure if the car is drivable, they'll be okay and since the car is driving, the tires must be fine. But one day, they'll be in for one hell of a surprise.

So what I'm telling you is replace your tires. You will immediately see a change in response and handling. And it couldn't hurt to have your alignment checked while you're there. I'd hate for you to purchase a new set of tires only to ruin them because the alignment was not set correctly. Get them properly balanced and after all this, you will most likely feel an amazing difference.

Great advice. I NEVER put on new tires without an alignment. And when I buy a used car I usually ask when it was done (from an individual) or make the dealership include that and a balance in the deal.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 05:29 PM
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Hey Texan.....A "friend of a friend" story here....This guy warned his buddy of thin tread on his tires and (you guessed it) the friend had a blow-out & fatal crash on the way home....These guys are right, put your first performance dollars into good rubber....and maybe you can become an old buzzard like us!
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Jake T
Tires, tires, tires......................
Yep, tires.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:50 PM
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Welcome to the red '86 club!

click me!
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