I have a '95 Coupe w/ Auto Trans with approx 94,000 miles. My commute to work is 95% highway, and until a couple weeks ago, there was not issue at all. However, over the past couple weeks the car has developed a pretty noticable shake in the front end. The car didn't sustain any trauma from a pothole or anything like that. The shaking occurs anywhere from 55mph to around 70mph. The shake can get pretty bad. The steering wheel visibly shakes, and you can feel it throughout the car (at a lesser degree.) The strange thing is that the severity isn't consistent, and sometimes I can barely feel it. Other times, especially when the car is cold, it gets pretty bad. Also, I've noticed that when I hit a bump at highway speed it seems like it takes the car a second to settle down. It feels like if I don't have the wheel gripped tightly, the shaking in the wheel/front end from hitting the bump would just keep going.

I don't want to get raked over the coals at a shop, so I was hoping to go in with some idea of the possible culprits. I hope I provided enough info to get some input. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Have the wheels rebalanced. You may have thrown a weight. Been there.

 

I'm really hoping it's that easy!!

Who do you guys trust to do this stuff? Would you go anywhere for something like a balance?

Thanks again

 

Only go to a shop that's comfortable removing your wheels and tires with the LTPWS (Low Tire Pressure Warning System) if you have this optional equipment on your Vette.

If the tire shop folks don't know what that is or balk in the slightest at doing the job when you tell them you have the LTPWS, DO NOT let them touch it.

if it's just a balance, they won't have to remove the tire from the wheel, but in my case, I picked up a nail once and had to have the tire plugged to stop the leak. Just some friendly advice.

 

Thank you for the advice!

Althought my Vette did come with the LTPWS option, it was disabled when ZR1 style wheels were installed. So that shouldn't be a problem.

 

I recommend road-force balancing w/a Hunter GSP9700.

See this link... http://www.gsp9700.com/

Most Discount Tire locations have at least one. Big difference over standard balancing...

 

i'll give my 2 cents!
i have this same problem - so i had the tires balanced - still shakes - the next thing i am going to do is replace the shocks - i'm gonna bet that's the problem because of the mileage and the apparent lack or changing ANYTHING on this car from the previous owners!
if that doesn't work, then i'll look into bushings and other things.

 

Just to be safe, raise the front wheels and try to jostle them at 12-6 & 9-3. If they wiggle...

Also, check to make sure the inside of the rim is clean. I had to degrease all 4 wheels. That helped a ton!

 

Shame on you!!
Anyone who lets the backside of their wheels get so dirty that it affects the wheel balance should have to pick up trash beside the road while wearing orange coveralls for five straight weekends...


Larry
code5coupe

 

does the car feel like its pulling to one side? cos i had that kinda prob before, along with a slight shake, and it was the wall of the tire that had gone, im not sure of the exact problem, but i think it was a band, or wire than had broken. altho from what you describe, it does sound more like it needs balancing, also have a good look at the rims and make sure there are no flat spots that could be making the tire sit slightly out of round, mine has one, and my tire guy managed to balance it out

 

Shame on you!!
Anyone who lets the backside of their wheels get so dirty that it affects the wheel balance should have to pick up trash beside the road while wearing orange coveralls for five straight weekends...


It wasn't me, I swear! I bought it that way and cleaned them within a month. Sadly, that tells me that the ***** and ends need replacing. Might as well replace the shocks & bushing kit and oil the brake pins while I'm in there, eh?

-Kyle

 

Here's my story...

For the first 6 or 7 months I owned my car, I had a similar problem. My car would violently shake from about 60 to 80 or 90. My steering wheel would shake back and forth and the car felt like it was coming apart. First I jacked up each wheel and checked 3 - 9 and 6 - 12. A rear wheel needed a new tie rod end. Didn't help. When I had the alignment done, I had the wheels rebalanced. That did not help. The manager at the tire store said that my front tire looked a little out of round, but if I drove it hard it would correct itself. Well, that advice did not help.

I really started to believe it was one of my front tires. When the car was shaking, if I went around a bend the shaking would increase or decrease based on the direction I was turning. So, I decided to replace the tires because I like to throw parts at my car. Since tires and mounting would cost me close to $800, I bought a tire and wheel package for $1200.

PRAISE That fixed it!!!

It was a bad tire. I immediately noticed when I removed the wheel that it appeared deformed, kinda overinflated looking. It wouldn't even sit straight up and down like the other wheels.

My suggestion is to borrow a corvette buddy's wheels and see if your shake goes away or have the wheels balanced with the Hunter. I believe it would have picked up my shake at 60mph.