Bad vibrations
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,513
Likes: 1,188
From: Dyer, IN
You are just making too many assumptions on your own--1st you are assuming that the ownwer isn't smart enough to have checked the obvious already--give the guy some credit--I'm sure he has and is using the forum as a last resort--and 2nd that all tire shops are flakes--Quit---I don't know where you take your tires to be balanced--But no tire shop will balance a seperated tire--It's the 1st thing they train their empoyees about to avoid lawsuits as it is a safety issue----
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
I am willing to bet that your problem is with your tires. Also, if the cars sits for a long period of time on the tires, it can make flat spots in the tires. I bet the problem goes away with a new set of tires. Sounds like you need a new set anyway, so you have nothing to lose.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,513
Likes: 1,188
From: Dyer, IN
You are just making too many assumptions on your own--1st you are assuming that the ownwer isn't smart enough to have checked the obvious already--give the guy some credit--I'm sure he has and is using the forum as a last resort--and 2nd that all tire shops are flakes--Quit---I don't know where you take your tires to be balanced--But no tire shop will balance a seperated tire--It's the 1st thing they train their empoyees about to avoid lawsuits as it is a safety issue----
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
I agree that checking the simple things first is the best approach. Get the car jacked up and look for obvious problems such as loose or worn tie rod ends or suspension bolts. Pull the wheels and check to make sure there is no rust buildup between the rotor and wheel mounting surface. Use a torque wrench and make sure all the bolts are torqued to factory spec at 100 ft-lbs.
As for the post that stated that due to the fact he had the wheels balanced twice means it is not the wheels and tires is false. New does not mean good. Wheel balancing machines can be set for different degrees of balance i.e. +/- .1 ounce. If a shop or tech does not want to take the time to fine balance a wheel and tire combo they can set the tolerances higher and many of them do. If the tires are worn down to the treadwear indicators, that could be the problem right threre. I also suggest taking the car to a shop with a Hunter GSP 9700 Road Force Balancer and a tech who knows how to use it. This will tell you for sure if it is the wheels or tires or both. It checks for runout on rims and can also match mount the tires, ie. high spot on tire to low spot on rim. You can find a shop in your area with a Hunter 9700 via their website. Good luck with it.
As for the post that stated that due to the fact he had the wheels balanced twice means it is not the wheels and tires is false. New does not mean good. Wheel balancing machines can be set for different degrees of balance i.e. +/- .1 ounce. If a shop or tech does not want to take the time to fine balance a wheel and tire combo they can set the tolerances higher and many of them do. If the tires are worn down to the treadwear indicators, that could be the problem right threre. I also suggest taking the car to a shop with a Hunter GSP 9700 Road Force Balancer and a tech who knows how to use it. This will tell you for sure if it is the wheels or tires or both. It checks for runout on rims and can also match mount the tires, ie. high spot on tire to low spot on rim. You can find a shop in your area with a Hunter 9700 via their website. Good luck with it.
