Whenever i get goin to about 70-75mph, the steering wheel starts to vibrate and i don't mean subtly, i mean arm shaking vibration. Is this a problem with the driveshaft? I want to get this problem settled, because it is alittle annoying..

 

here. I just got 4 brand new tires about 3 weeks ago. But I don't get an opportunity to drive in the 70+ range. So a few days ago when i was on the NJ turnpike, I noticed that my steering wheel was shaking some--I thought this never happened with my old tires...so, I am assuming it is a balancing job--so perhaps you ought to have your tires balanced too?

I hope this is the case--the drive shaft spells big $$$

=)

 

This symptom may arise from an unbalanced wheel, a bent wheel, or a tire defect such as tread ply separation. Rotate your tires, exchanging fronts with rears. If the problem remains unchanged you have narrowed the field to a front end mechanical component such as ball joints, tie rod ends, drive axles, etc. If the problem is diminished, you know it is the wheel or tire.

 

thanks for the tip now i have some where to start checkin

 

speaking of bent wheels--I was wondering if minor curbing on the aluminium alloy wheels will affect the balancing of a tire. Just curious b/c one of my tire is curb a little bit but not anything substantial--but enough it blew out a tire...

Wondering if you know anything about this-- thanks--

=) Brian

 

It's possible. But if you have life time balance/rotation deals, go in and have it done just to be sure. Never hurts.

-Shing

 

probably did enough to knock the rim out-of-round. i would take it to a shop, and have it checked. Sounds like it's time see Mr. E-Bay to purchase a new rim!

 

I was hoping that Mr. Ebay could wait. When I curbed this wheel--the passenger side rear wheel, I didn't know until the next morning when I saw a flat. I saw a bit of scratches on side of the rim. oh well...
but it is still in the rear though. I am going to go have it checked out.

thanks guys.

=)

 

Minor curbing won't change the balance but it may bend the wheel. How much yours is bent (if any) can be judged only by careful measurement. You can make this measurement on the car but need a dial indicator gauge fastened to some sort of stable base to measure the rim runout.

 

Most people experience some type of vibration.
Regardless of the wheel tire combo.
I've seen plenty max's of the same exact stat, year and mileage with vibration probems - no matter how insignificant. Typically it's balancing.
I've worked fro a rental company and we get 20+ max's per station per year. If someone will complain it will be a rental car customer. It shakes, smells funny, looks weird, ...everything you could possibly think of.. I've heard.
All max's are stock and all ride smooth..until
around 60mph, some 70mph, some 80mph but most not at all.
And people treat rental's kindly right?
Anything that can be done in this car I have seen.
Forget the drugs and porno people leave in them.. I'm talking about the abuse.
And it is typically solved with balancing all fours.
You may be rare and have a defective wheel, tire etc.
But I would balance..lifetime as stated above.

 

Hey guys,

thanks for the info...my car started to vibrate recently--as far as I can tell around 75mph...so I am assuming it is the balancing job. I took a closer look at my wheels today and two of them, they scratched it in a circular motion as they were probably putting the new ones on or taking the old ones off.
Then they broke a stud in the front passenger wheel...and said it might have been cross threaded...I dunno man--Perhaps this will be the only and last time going to a firestone tire center if things keep up like this.

I am really pissed about the rims being scratched...*damMMMMM*

 

I've had the same misfortune three times. Installing a lug nut correctly is not a difficult task. Makes you think they are not really trying.

 

Firestone service center? That exploding tire in the shop probably scared 'em when they were working on yours...

Too bad about the scratches, but a good balance (from someplace else) should put you back on track. I don't see many places that do it now, but my 280ZX would only balance right if they did it ON THE CAR. This takes the entire rotating mass (wheel, tire, rotor and driveshaft if FWD) into account and balances it out. Problem is, it's real easy to scratch your rims if you get somebody that doesn't care doing it.

-kev

 

Alrighty folks...I got the problem fixed. I took it back to the firestone center (seems like I have been a frequently visitor every weekend since I bought that set of tires from them). In any case, get this: I went there, they rebalanced the tires--and said 3 of them were off and they put in more lead weights.

I am not a wheel balancer or anything, but now, on three of my tires there are 2 pieces of lead on the rim--and it looks UGLY!!! I figured--well, if it doesn't vibrate, the looks of an extra piece of lead won't kill me...but I have looked at EVERY CAR for the last week in NY and Boston and I noticed only 1 piece of lead weights per rim--so is it their lazy Asses not working or is the 2 peices of lead necessary...

btw, they stripped another lug and stud--this time, I made them pay for it...that is it--NO more firestone!!

 

same side, and I often wondered why. Anyone with the answers. They are not next to each other, but maybe off by 90 degrees. I'm guessing that they mistakingly put the 1st weight in the wrong place, and when when they did the re-check, the machine told then to add another weight.

Another point to consider, I wouldn't advise using lead weights that are hammered onto the alloy wheels. They can damage the clear-coat, and then salt,etc gets in there and starts to destroy the alum. alloy. A better weight is the stick-on, teflon type - I think.

 

where did you have your wheels balanced?
Did you have your wheels balanced more than once and these folks were lazy and didn't take off the weights from the first balance job?
I have to say that I HAVE NOT in so many years seen wheels with 2 peices of weights...well, i guess my car now is the first--it looks a bit ugly I must say...What I really want to know is if these two peices are really necessary...

any thoughts?