Dozer42

Ok guys, I've been getting a very very wierd intermittant problem lately..

At 50-55mph I get a VERY serious vibration through the car/steering wheel.

But, it only happens during fairly heavy rain.

When it's dry, the car is perfectly smooth. In light rain, no problem. After a car wash, no problem. But in a good downpour it starts off as a slight vibration, then can get really bad.

If I drop below 50mph or so, it goes away and is perfectly smooth again. Speed up to 70 and it feels like the car will shake apart.

Any ideas on what might be going on?

Note: The car has the following mods: Tein CS Coilover suspension with EDFC. Daizen Sway bars. Maya TS 19" wheels and tires. No changes have been made to the vehicle in about a year.

Planning on taking it in to the dealer, but don't want to get raped if they blame it on the aftermarket suspension.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

you must have 3 piece wheel... it's a known common problem on 3 piece wheel setup

Dozer42

Yep, the Maya TS is a 2 or 3 piece wheel. Any idea as to a solution? Is water just getting caught in the wheel somewhere?

Neo

iTrader: (3)

I think you are experiencing the "water pooling" effect. There was a whole discussion on this last year. I'll dig out the thread when I have a little more time. It basically is that when it is raining heavily, there is a possibility of water pooling on the inside of the wheel, depending on how it is constructed. With a pool of water there, the wheel balance is thrown off and you get vibrations.

There are some who think this cannot happen and some that do. Up to you to believe bit the ones that do have personally experienced this problem.

Edit: Here are the threads I promised:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/suspension-and-brakes/24213-shaking-in-the-rain.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=139637

Happy reading.

Dozer42

Damn, that is brutal. Looks like there is no solution.

At least now I know what the problem is and I don't have to waste money at the dealer.

Guess I'll just keep it under 60 when it rains, don't want to give up my sweet wheels due to a pretty rare problem. (Doesn't rain that much in Cali and the rainy season will be over soon).

Thanks much for the info, happy to know it's not my suspension falling apart!

D2-AUTOSPORT

This issue is not a 2pc or 3pc issue, its simply a reverse vs. stepped lip issue. The channel behind the spokes on any reverse lip wheel can collect water and throw off the balance, thus the shaking. One thing that I have personally noted is that if I take care to avoid splashing in huge puddles the accumulation is much less.

I have driven 3+ hours in rain with no shake, hit a big puddle in the last 10min and "milkshake-city" thereafter!

I find that a good ole towel is best to just put behing the spokes and "sop" the water up. (same process I follow when cleaning wheels, because the water will build up and make a mess when you drive off).

rominl

iTrader: (4)

or just drive faster to like 80mph. that's when all the shaking went away on my car