i have had my new wheels and tires balanced 3 times and still get a slight vibration in the steering wheel at 70mph.

each balancing has rendered improvement. the 3rd time was the "road force" balancing which is more precise and even involves taking the wheel off the tire to align the sweet spot of the tire 180 degrees from the sweet spot of the wheel for a better balance. my automotive engineer friend (at nissan coincidentally) says this is one of the consequencs of looking good. in addition to the skinny tires, the wider rims with different offsets results in changes to the suspension geometry which could be causing haromonic imbalances in the suspension itsself.

so my question: is this common to those of you with the 19" and greater rims? if so, have you been able to eliminate the vibration?

 

I haven't had a problem w/my 19's

 

I have the same problem. It didn't do it when I first got them but after rotating them it started doing it. put my 17's back on and it's gone.

 

What kind of tires? Assuming you are using Mille evo 5s. They are damn good. I have balanced a few sets w/ toyos through my old job and never needed more than 1 once. The tires might be the problem. Seen it alot. 19's are big so they are a little harder to balance but it is much easier with a good tire.
Hope this helps

 

are you running hubcentric rings?

 

if u dont have hubcentric rings make sure u get them, they make a huge difference. also when balancing tell the tech. to counter-balance it and try putting the weights closest to the wheel face from behind. That always solves my problems, and i do own a tire and wheel shop.

Good luck

 

Tires - Falken Azenis ST115...pretty cheap tire, but i do like the performance ride and noise so far.

Hubcentric rings - Yes

Weights - taped on style close as possible to spokes in addition to crimp on style on inner lip.

 

I had this problem with my 18s and they had to give me a new tire, some tires just won't balance.

 

i just got new set of 18'' wheels and i notice vibration on steering wheel also...do u guys think i should get the tires re-balance plus add hubcentric rings? also where do u get them at?

 

19s bend easily.... which has happened to 3 out of 4 of mine since june 2003. had one straightened already but cant afford $150/rim every time i hit a pothole to get them straightened. i just deal with slight vibration and get road force balancing when necessary.

 

I take my car to a place that does on car high speed balance.... they first do balance using a standard machine, and then with the wheels on the car, they raise the front end and run the car to like 80+ mph while using a smaller portable unit. And for the rear the same unit spins the tire while it's being balanced. It takes almost 2 hours and cost 100-150. After I have done it once 2 years ago I never even though about doing a “ normal “ balance again. So if you know that you have no problems with your tires and wheels it might be that the shop is just doing a crappy job. Look for a place that does “High Speed On Car Balance”. here is a link for the pace that i use

http://www.butlertire.com/Services.html

good luck !

 

i think that the shop shouldnt use a "crimp weight" it should be a lead "stick on" weight that shouldnt go on the back lip but on the back closest to the face. crimp weights are trash and should only be used on steel wheels.