Scottybue Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 A couple weeks ago, a rock fell off of a quarry truck in front of me on the highway, and I ran over it (it was unavoidable) with both my right side wheels. The rock was about the size of my fist and bent my right front wheel beyond repair, and cracked the right rear, ruining it. The car drove fine on a doughnut for a few days until i could replace the wheels and tire. Spring forward to now... After getting the tires mounted and wheels balanced, as well as getting an alignment, I have a strong vibration through the steering wheel at 60-80 mph. I took the car back to the shop and had the wheels re-balanced and rotated, as well as the alignment checked. There isn't a lot of counterweight used on the wheels, so I don't think they're bent. Also, I double-checked to make sure I didn't need centering rings on the new wheels (got rota's). All checks out, yet I still have this vibration, which wasn't there prior to the new wheels, even after running over the rock. A friend says another possible cause is the ball-joint in the suspension. I have yet to investigate if there is any problem there... Any ideas? Anyone? now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-lo Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 YEAH, guess the next best place to look would be the suspension. Although you'd think you would be experiencing other problems related while turning, etc... or take it to another shop. outside chance these guys are idiots? 258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melayout Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 - Can you feel the vibration from a specific side or is it just restricted to the steering wheel ?- Try switching the wheels around front/back/side-to-side and see if it follows a specific wheel(s)?- If not check if there is any play in the bearings? When I had my new tires mounted/balanced, they vibrated at 60 and above, had them re-balanced at the same place and it was pretty much more the next time around. Friggin sloppy workers. Also, if your tires have an aggresive tread or they're worn out irregularly they could cause vibration. The former is subtle while the latter could be as violent as being out of balance. I keed I keeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 No problems anywhere else but that previously mentioned vibration. The car still handles awesome. New shop will be the next thing. now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 Melayout- It's hard to tell if it's from a certain side. However, after the first time it happened, I had them rotate the tires to the back (as well as rebalance) and the vibration is still there. These are brand new Pirelli P-Zero Nero's 225/45R17 on 17x8 Rota G-Force's. Moderately aggressive tread, but too new for awkward wear. The alignment is good to go as well. How would I be able to tell if there's movement in the ball bearings? now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melayout Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Even after switching the tires back, the vibration continued to come thru the steering wheel? Put the car up on a lift or jack each wheel up off the ground and try to pull/tug the wheel from different points(rim,tire) in different planes(up/down/side-to-side/inside-out). There is should be no noticable play in any direction, excluding of course the articulation of the steering/tie-rod. I keed I keeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 Still through the steering wheel... and only at highway speeds. It's totally normal at all other times. now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc51373 Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 I don't know the answer...But I know one thing, that dog is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 If everything else is normal, then it appears the wheels (and particularly the tires) may be the issue. Definitely get to a reputable shop and get this balanced out. Have the shop check the tires over carefully as this really does sound like a tire issue... and I know that they're new but still could be a tire defect. SBT - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 Turns out it was the tires. Frickin' Walker Tire (if you live near Omaha, avoid these guys like the plague) didn't notice the "tire hop" on ALL 4 tires. Trying to get Tire Rack to send me a new set as we speak. Also, Walker mounted ALL 4 tires backwards with the clearly marked "inside" on the outer side of the wheel. Boy, it's a good thing those shop monkeys didn't bend my wheels while trying the screw the football back there. now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Turns out it was the tires. Frickin' Walker Tire (if you live near Omaha, avoid these guys like the plague) didn't notice the "tire hop" on ALL 4 tires. Trying to get Tire Rack to send me a new set as we speak. Also, Walker mounted ALL 4 tires backwards with the clearly marked "inside" on the outer side of the wheel. Boy, it's a good thing those shop monkeys didn't bend my wheels while trying the screw the football back there. Wow - just Wow! Hard to believe that they would get them all mounted incorrectly (backazwards) on the rims. Did you originally buy these from TireRack or from FWT (). Hope you have better success with the new tires. SBT - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melayout Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Go to a shop with top of the line Hunter equipment, especially a balancing machine that can measure roadforce. I keed I keeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 I have a good place here in town that I have gone to now (I knew I should have gone there first). I remember seeing the name Hunter in the shop... good deal. Anyhow, the tires came from Tire Rack.com, and while they won't send 4 new tires right away, they will send two, and see if that works out... if not, they'll send two more. now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I'm not sure how many miles you've put on these current "defective" tires, but I know that I wouldn't put tires back on my car that have been run backwards. Especially since these are directional tires. Just my opinion but they're supposed to be run in a specific direction for a reason and it's not just for tractive ability. There may very well be safety issues now too... and the shop that put them on backwards shouldn't just be sending you out the door. SBT - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottybue Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 Luckily, not more than 80 miles so far. The shop will re-mount, so it's not all that bad. now rocking the 2007 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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