another vibration thread - Ever turn out to be a Wheel??

tlewy · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 50

Heres my scoop. New sportmax 501's. 15 x 8. Went with toyo proxy 4's. 195/50 r15. Had bad vibration at 50 mph. re-balance...not -better. Need hub-centric rings, got -em, not better. Put on a whole new set. Much better, but still a vibration around 50 mph that I don't think I can live with. Ran perfect on stock wheels. I'm beggining to think I have a bad wheel. Les swabb (tire co) guy thinks tires are too small for rim and might be issue. Anybody have any input? Anybody end up with a bad (new) wheel? If it is a wheel, I want to try and find it by putting my stockers on in various combo's to try to figure out if it IS a wheel. Anybody know if using my different size rims, say on the front, with my 501's on the back, would be a problem, or bad for the car? Since spare tires are way different, I would think it would be O.K.? What about with one stocker, say front right, and 501's on other three? I bought these wheels on-line, so I can't hassel tire company into finding it for me. I already feel guilty going through two sets of tires. Thank you very much for any input. :doh:

sdsnybny · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 751 Location: Auburn WA

Even Les Schwab should be able to tell if rim (by itself) is true
before they mount the tire they have a machine just for it.
195/50/15's are a mild stretch, some run the stock tire 185/60/15.
I'd say if you have lowered your car recently to check the top hat on the front strut to see if the main nut has vibrated loose on you
The nuts are designed to be one time use to prevent them from looseing up, it might be some of your vibration. G/L

tlewy · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 50

Thanks for the input. My car is not lowered, but I will check on that nut. Les Schwab has always been good to me, but I must admit, they havent been very helpful on this deal. I felt like I shouldn't be learning about hubcentric rings on third visit....and if the wheel IS an issue, they showed no inclination to try to solve it except a new set of tires....Oh well....Maybe I'll push em a little. Thanks

808michael808 · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

I purchased new tires from Pepboys back in June and my steering wheel vibrates and wobble (increase with speed above 60). They tried to rebalanced it 4 times. I rotated the tires from front to the rear (it was much better). To make a long story short, I insisted they have a different mechanic balance the tires, dynamically now it is smooth. hope this help.