Driving my 97 A4 is always very predictably smooth as far as the feeling through the steering wheels feedback of road conditions. At a 100mph+ it is one finger smooth and steady….UNTIL very recently. Now starting between 75-80 the steering wheel starts a vibration which gets worse the faster I go…no way to drive it near a 100mph and feel safe.

Only things that have changed are the addition of 4 aluminum hub hats on my rotors which necessitated temporarily removing the wheels and pivoting the brake calipers slightly for access…Everything was reassembled as required and all lugs torque to 100lbs.

The rotating mass of these small aluminum hub hats so close the centerline of rotation seems unlikely to be causing this vibration…but then again perhaps it does. With all these hub hats on Vettes I believe I would have heard or read something if it was problematic.

Is it possible remounting the wheel assemblies without regard for recreating the specific hole/stud relationship could be screwing up the balance somehow?

Looking for some feedback. Especially others whose have added these hub hats. As always, thanks Guys.

Also note I am **** about tires pressure checking and adjust every time I drive the car...30 psi all around my GY Run Flats.

Bob

 

How thick are the alum hats?

Could it be possible you lost the hub centric relationship to the rim.

 

There about 1/16" thick aluminum material stamped into the necessary shape. There a commonly used component so I doubt they affect the ability to remount the wheel assembly as per usual. Appreciate the thought 4DRUSH.

 

ttt...hoping for some good insight on this problem.

Bob

 

Take the hub hats off and see if it goes away. Most likely they aren't letting the wheel sit flush and they are wobbling.

 

It seems the logical start point, and probably exactly what's causing the problem...me and my want to cover a rusty disc hub doesn't seem all that important now...

Thanks.

 

A can of spray paint fixes it for me. Lasts a good while too.