Tire Balance Issues
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 74
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From: Leesburg, VA
Tire Balance Issues
Been overseas for quite sometime and returned and noticed mild steering wheel shake and alignment was off...pulling to the right. My in-law drives it occasionally to keep things moving..
Took it to Chevy for a 4 wheel alignment, but after it was still pulling to the right. I took it back and mechanic came out and said he noticed my front tires were pretty worn on inside and water pump was leaking. $700 later...new water pump and belts...
So went to discount tire for new tires... needed them anyways.. alignment is now perfect...even though the dealer didn't center my darn steering wheel... but the steering wheel still shakes slightly.
Took it back to discount, they re-balanced...(said it was off) and they advised me that the driver front rim was slightly bent, but it still balanced out ok.
Wheel still still shakes a little about 50+..... any thoughts on what else could cause this after an alignment, new tires and twice balanced?
Thanks!
Took it to Chevy for a 4 wheel alignment, but after it was still pulling to the right. I took it back and mechanic came out and said he noticed my front tires were pretty worn on inside and water pump was leaking. $700 later...new water pump and belts...
So went to discount tire for new tires... needed them anyways.. alignment is now perfect...even though the dealer didn't center my darn steering wheel... but the steering wheel still shakes slightly.
Took it back to discount, they re-balanced...(said it was off) and they advised me that the driver front rim was slightly bent, but it still balanced out ok.
Wheel still still shakes a little about 50+..... any thoughts on what else could cause this after an alignment, new tires and twice balanced?
Thanks!
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Leesburg, VA
Wheels are factory... No road force balance that I recall.. they just took them off and placed on balance machine.. twice...
Car only has 59k on it... I hope the suspension isnt wearing out so soon..or even tie rod ends or bearings for that fact too...
Car only has 59k on it... I hope the suspension isnt wearing out so soon..or even tie rod ends or bearings for that fact too...
Bent wheel could be responsible for the vibration for certain. The balance is only one aspect. Wheel not running true is another aspect. Worn or loose front suspension parts (tie rod ends, wheel bearings that are loose etc). One would have thought that the dealer Tech that did the front end align would have checked that out but then again the dealer may be the issue. Did DT do a Road Force balance? Tire may not be within spec.
Are the wheels factory or aftermarket? I've seen a number of that aftermarket wheels cause vibration problems.
Are the wheels factory or aftermarket? I've seen a number of that aftermarket wheels cause vibration problems.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Its critical for the steering wheel to be dead nuts centered when driving down a level straight road. If you have active handling, it will effect it’s proper operation and cause issues and DTCs
I have had numerous C5's/C6s. NONE of them ever had any issues achieving a zero balance and running true at highway speeds.
Sounds like your alignment shop isn’t familiar with C5 corvettes, has an antiquated alignment machine, improperly trained techs or all the above.
If you have a BENT or out of round rim, you’re NEVER going to get a true balance. Fix the rim and then have them rebalance. Unless you have close to 100.000 miles on the suspension, there’s NO way it completely worn out.
You could need new shocks or could have a bad wheel bearing or even a worn single suspension component but,,, never worn OUT. If the above is true, your alignment shop should have been able to see, diagnosis and recommend a repair and not do the alignment until that /those are corrected.
If the car wasn’t like that prior to your deployment, your IN LAWS have some explaining to do!
Especially the BENT RIM!
Bill
I have had numerous C5's/C6s. NONE of them ever had any issues achieving a zero balance and running true at highway speeds.
Sounds like your alignment shop isn’t familiar with C5 corvettes, has an antiquated alignment machine, improperly trained techs or all the above.
If you have a BENT or out of round rim, you’re NEVER going to get a true balance. Fix the rim and then have them rebalance. Unless you have close to 100.000 miles on the suspension, there’s NO way it completely worn out.
You could need new shocks or could have a bad wheel bearing or even a worn single suspension component but,,, never worn OUT. If the above is true, your alignment shop should have been able to see, diagnosis and recommend a repair and not do the alignment until that /those are corrected.
If the car wasn’t like that prior to your deployment, your IN LAWS have some explaining to do!
Especially the BENT RIM!Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 346
From: SC
Bent wheel could be responsible for the vibration for certain. The balance is only one aspect. Wheel not running true is another aspect. Worn or loose front suspension parts (tie rod ends, wheel bearings that are loose etc). One would have thought that the dealer Tech that did the front end align would have checked that out but then again the dealer may be the issue. Did DT do a Road Force balance? Tire may not be within spec.
Are the wheels factory or aftermarket? I've seen a number of that aftermarket wheels cause vibration problems.
Are the wheels factory or aftermarket? I've seen a number of that aftermarket wheels cause vibration problems.
Had same issue on my Ford Ranger. Bent rim bad vibration. New rim, vibration gone.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 74
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From: Leesburg, VA
The "alignment" shop was an actual Chevrolet dealership here in Colorado and a certified corvette tech... terrible that they didnt even center the steering wheel. Will take back in tomorrow... I called the manager and he said bring it back in and they will fix it and check out the balance issue. It drives straight as an arrow, but just not centered.
very strange....The mild shaking only seems to be sporadic now... this morning there was no shake at all...at any speeds on the same roads..
very strange....The mild shaking only seems to be sporadic now... this morning there was no shake at all...at any speeds on the same roads..
Its critical for the steering wheel to be dead nuts centered when driving down a level straight road. If you have active handling, it will effect it’s proper operation and cause issues and DTCs
I have had numerous C5's/C6s. NONE of them ever had any issues achieving a zero balance and running true at highway speeds.
Sounds like your alignment shop isn’t familiar with C5 corvettes, has an antiquated alignment machine, improperly trained techs or all the above.
If you have a BENT or out of round rim, you’re NEVER going to get a true balance. Fix the rim and then have them rebalance. Unless you have close to 100.000 miles on the suspension, there’s NO way it completely worn out.
You could need new shocks or could have a bad wheel bearing or even a worn single suspension component but,,, never worn OUT. If the above is true, your alignment shop should have been able to see, diagnosis and recommend a repair and not do the alignment until that /those are corrected.
If the car wasn’t like that prior to your deployment, your IN LAWS have some explaining to do! Especially the BENT RIM!
Bill
I have had numerous C5's/C6s. NONE of them ever had any issues achieving a zero balance and running true at highway speeds.
Sounds like your alignment shop isn’t familiar with C5 corvettes, has an antiquated alignment machine, improperly trained techs or all the above.
If you have a BENT or out of round rim, you’re NEVER going to get a true balance. Fix the rim and then have them rebalance. Unless you have close to 100.000 miles on the suspension, there’s NO way it completely worn out.
You could need new shocks or could have a bad wheel bearing or even a worn single suspension component but,,, never worn OUT. If the above is true, your alignment shop should have been able to see, diagnosis and recommend a repair and not do the alignment until that /those are corrected.
If the car wasn’t like that prior to your deployment, your IN LAWS have some explaining to do!
Especially the BENT RIM!Bill
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
The "alignment" shop was an actual Chevrolet dealership here in Colorado and a certified corvette tech... terrible that they didnt even center the steering wheel. Will take back in tomorrow... I called the manager and he said bring it back in and they will fix it and check out the balance issue. It drives straight as an arrow, but just not centered.
very strange....The mild shaking only seems to be sporadic now... this morning there was no shake at all...at any speeds on the same roads..
very strange....The mild shaking only seems to be sporadic now... this morning there was no shake at all...at any speeds on the same roads..
