Wheel Vibration Probs

Crabman

Had two new tyres to replace worn fronts (fitted to rear) but since then at 65-70mph upwards, the steering's been vibrating.

I've been back twice now and each time they've taken the weights off & balanced the front wheels again, only for the problem to still be there.

There was no issue when these wheels were on the rear.

I was a little hacked off with this so did some research of my own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGohW5dbM78

From 3:45 onwards they describe an upgrade possibility to an "Anti Vibration System" (AVS) to position the rim and tyre in the optimum position.

I mentioned this but they didn't really know what I was talking about.

What should I do now? I suppose I could ask them to swap the rims between front and rear as opposed to just balancing them again every time I go back. :rolleyes:

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

A better balance will be achieved with the wheels on the car while balancing. Few tyre outfits are equipped to do this though, its sometimes called a road force balance.

maniac886

Are any of the wheels damaged?

Sometimes a slight buckle can cause the vibration.

Crabman

maniac886 wrote: »

Are any of the wheels damaged?

Sometimes a slight buckle can cause the vibration.

This is one of the possibilities I think. Either that or the tyre is 'out of round' or not in its optimum fit on the rim.

I may ask them to swap rims with the spare... but does anyone know, would a balancing machine be able to detect if a wheel is buckled (even if just a little)?

Robertf

Sounds like defective balancing or as everyone else has said a buckled rim. Swap the fronts for the rears and see if the problem goes away or moves toward the back of the car.

Crabman

Yeah I'll do that I think, get fronts and rears swapped.

It means the fronts will be new 8mm with rears being 4mm and fitted in 2005. They seem ok though, no signs of perishing or cracking that I can see.

maniac886

Crabman wrote: »

This is one of the possibilities I think. Either that or the tyre is 'out of round' or not in its optimum fit on the rim.

I may ask them to swap rims with the spare... but does anyone know, would a balancing machine be able to detect if a wheel is buckled (even if just a little)?

I remember one of the alloys on my focus had the maximum number of weights inside the alloys and was still slightly out of balance due to a buckle. Best way of detecting the buckle is to remove the tyres and inspected the alloy. If its only damaged slightly then you should be able to get it repaired.

hewhoisnotintheknow

if you have hubcaps try removing them, i doubt its the problem though

Tigert

Crabman wrote: »

Yeah I'll do that I think, get fronts and rears swapped.

It means the fronts will be new 8mm with rears being 4mm and fitted in 2005. They seem ok though, no signs of perishing or cracking that I can see.

This is a good idea anyway. regardless of which tyres I replace, my local tyre place always swap the new ones to the front as apparently they wear the most (on front wheel drive cars anyway).

I don't think just swapping them around will cure it though. If they are out of balance or buckled it will make no difference where they are on the car - the vibration will just come from a different place.

Locknut

If one of the wheels is buckled or tyre misshaped the fitter should see this when the balancer spins the tyre, sounds more like the balancer needs calibrating! I would get it checked elsewhere.

As for the swapping the wheels around like has been suggested you are supposed to fit new tyres to the rear of the vehicle as new tyres has a smaller chance of blowing out. and having a blow out on the front if favorable to having one blow on the rear.

Crabman

They've been swapped now and the fitter said if a wheel is buckled you can tell by looking at it (these are steel wheels not alloys), he said they looked ok. I didn't get a chance to go to 65-70mph on the dual carriageway today to check so will try tomorrow if less traffic about.

I too thought if a wheel was causing vibration it would do so irrespective of where it's placed, but this problem didn't exist (at least I didn't notice it)before the rears were moved to the front. Still it would be interesting to see any theories as to why this is the case!