Holy Vibration Batman!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Prattville Al.
Holy Vibration Batman!!!
Okay fellows here is the deal my 89 Vette is vibrating real bad in the steering wheel-steering column area. Here is what happens it rides smooth until about 60 mph and then I can feel my steering wheel start to vibrate, shake whatever you want to call it anyway as I get faster the vibration gets worse and seems to die out around 85-90, I can literally let go of the wheel an watch teeter back and forth REAL WEIRD If anyone has a solution to this problem, or any helpful ideas please share The car rides smooth like I said and the tires are rotated and balanced and my alignment is good so???? THANKS
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
I had a real bad shake in my wheel at about 60 to 72mph coupled with a loose steering column. Drove to the repair shop after a round of golf and gave the car to Merle at Exotic Muscle when he moved the car the steering column fell in his lap (car would not steer). Had to replace the entire column, I was lucky it did not happen when I was on the freeway to his place from the golf course.
Be cautious.......................
Be cautious.......................
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 5
From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
My car did this, had a bad rear wheel bearing. Two new bearings and now everything is smooth.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I have the same problem but not as bad. It started after I had new rims and tires installed. Zr1 rims from Tomz and Sumitomo tires from tirerack. It's been to three shops and had several alignments and balances done. I'm thinking I may have a bad rim or tire but don't know how to figure out which one. It's even been on one of those hi-tech hunter machines twice. No luck. Anyone have any ideas? Is there a gauranteed method of testing for a bad rim or tire without ordering new ones?
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Sep 6, 2007 at 10:47 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
I have the same problem but not as bad. It started after I had new rims and tires installed. Zr1 rims from Tomz and Sumitomo tires from tirerack. It's been to three shops and had several alignments and balances done. I'm thinking I may have a bad rim or tire but don't know how to figure out which one. It's even been on one of those hi-tech hunter machines twice. No luck. Anyone have any ideas? Is there a gauranteed method of testing for a bad rim or tire without ordering new ones?
Thanks
Thanks
I'm in EXACTLY the same boat! 
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
I see a few of you guy's have changed your rotors.I had the same problem as you have and it was down to unbalanced rotors.Whenever I change anything nowdays I ask my shop to spin them up before mounting them.It's easier to spot a bad rim before you mount the tire than after.Also those Hunters are great machines however a lot of operators are not.Sometimes tires need to be indexed and the guys at the store either don't realize it or can't be bothered.There should be coloured dots on the tires-are they next to the valves?If not a dumbo fitted your tires. Also these big tires flat spot quite easily if not driven regularly.If you only do a few miles a week that could figure in.lastly,spacers or adaptors anyone??
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
I have the same problem but not as bad. It started after I had new rims and tires installed. Zr1 rims from Tomz and Sumitomo tires from tirerack. It's been to three shops and had several alignments and balances done. I'm thinking I may have a bad rim or tire but don't know how to figure out which one. It's even been on one of those hi-tech hunter machines twice. No luck. Anyone have any ideas? Is there a gauranteed method of testing for a bad rim or tire without ordering new ones?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Unfortunately I sold my old rims and tires. I have no doubt that if I was able to put them back on it would solve the problem. I have also heard that the operators of the Hunter machines don't always know how to use them correctly. My vibration problem started immediately after the rim and tire install. I had the rotors on prior to the rim and tire install without any vibrations. There are no spacers or adaptors installed on mine. It is currently my only road wothy car and driven daily. I don't remember about the indexing. I believe I do remember seeing a blue dot. I got tired of paying different shops to correct the problem with little or no improvment. It's not as bad as it was but still noticeable on certain roads or at a certain speed range around 55-65 mph.
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
99% of the time, it's the tires.
The hunter machines are nice, but 99% of the operators do not know how to use them correctly. The machine must be calibrated EVERY day, or it's useless. I've spent too many hours and too much MONEY going from tire shop to tire shop with the fancy hunter balancer.
Then I find out (The hard way) there are some tires that just can not be balanced correctly. replacement is the only answer.
And if your lucky enough to find a shop with a capable Hunter operator, you'll be back there in 6 months when the virbration comes back.
that is my experience........
The hunter machines are nice, but 99% of the operators do not know how to use them correctly. The machine must be calibrated EVERY day, or it's useless. I've spent too many hours and too much MONEY going from tire shop to tire shop with the fancy hunter balancer.
Then I find out (The hard way) there are some tires that just can not be balanced correctly. replacement is the only answer.
And if your lucky enough to find a shop with a capable Hunter operator, you'll be back there in 6 months when the virbration comes back.
that is my experience........
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Unfortunately I sold my old rims and tires. I have no doubt that if I was able to put them back on it would solve the problem. I have also heard that the operators of the Hunter machines don't always know how to use them correctly. My vibration problem started immediately after the rim and tire install. I had the rotors on prior to the rim and tire install without any vibrations. There are no spacers or adaptors installed on mine. It is currently my only road wothy car and driven daily. I don't remember about the indexing. I believe I do remember seeing a blue dot. I got tired of paying different shops to correct the problem with little or no improvment. It's not as bad as it was but still noticeable on certain roads or at a certain speed range around 55-65 mph.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Unfortunately I sold my old rims and tires. I have no doubt that if I was able to put them back on it would solve the problem. I have also heard that the operators of the Hunter machines don't always know how to use them correctly. My vibration problem started immediately after the rim and tire install. I had the rotors on prior to the rim and tire install without any vibrations. There are no spacers or adaptors installed on mine. It is currently my only road wothy car and driven daily. I don't remember about the indexing. I believe I do remember seeing a blue dot. I got tired of paying different shops to correct the problem with little or no improvment. It's not as bad as it was but still noticeable on certain roads or at a certain speed range around 55-65 mph.
Thanks
Thanks