Curbed a wheel...now experience vibration
#1
Curbed a wheel...now experience vibration
This isn't my Lexus, but my dad's RDX. I'm not active on any other car forums since I only drive a Lexus but just want to get some help/advice here anyways since I love the place so much
On the RDX are steel wheels wrapped in snow tires
While turning right at an intersection, he curbed the driver's front wheel on a curb (there's an island separating right turn lane and straight lane, that's why it's driver's side wheel when turning right)
He was going down the straight (also down hill) at about 70-80 kph (43-50mph) before the turn, however it was dark and with snow and stuff at the sides, he couldn't see the curb early enough to turn away from it. He did brake, I'd assume he hit the curb at about 60% of the speed he was going at before the hit, maybe about 30mph-ish.
The driver's side front steel wheel has a dent. Not noticeable by the eye unless you look VERY closely. However when you run your finger around the wheel by the lip, you can feel that specific area dents in more.
Now when going about 90kph+ (about 55mph+), there is vibration in steering wheel.
I'm not an expert at this but I believe maybe two possibilities
1) alignment
2) wheel balancing
However, aside from that, anything I should be worried about with the axle or suspension? (control arms, wheel bearing, bushings, etc.?)
I took some pics, but it's night time so not very clear.
The first pic is pretty much looking at the wheel straight. Hard to notice anything. You can see the part by the arrow is more black/clean because I kept rubbing it with my finger to feel the dent
In the second and third pics, which are on an angle, you can see the dent more. It doesn't seem horrible.
Thanks a lot for any input!
On the RDX are steel wheels wrapped in snow tires
While turning right at an intersection, he curbed the driver's front wheel on a curb (there's an island separating right turn lane and straight lane, that's why it's driver's side wheel when turning right)
He was going down the straight (also down hill) at about 70-80 kph (43-50mph) before the turn, however it was dark and with snow and stuff at the sides, he couldn't see the curb early enough to turn away from it. He did brake, I'd assume he hit the curb at about 60% of the speed he was going at before the hit, maybe about 30mph-ish.
The driver's side front steel wheel has a dent. Not noticeable by the eye unless you look VERY closely. However when you run your finger around the wheel by the lip, you can feel that specific area dents in more.
Now when going about 90kph+ (about 55mph+), there is vibration in steering wheel.
I'm not an expert at this but I believe maybe two possibilities
1) alignment
2) wheel balancing
However, aside from that, anything I should be worried about with the axle or suspension? (control arms, wheel bearing, bushings, etc.?)
I took some pics, but it's night time so not very clear.
The first pic is pretty much looking at the wheel straight. Hard to notice anything. You can see the part by the arrow is more black/clean because I kept rubbing it with my finger to feel the dent
In the second and third pics, which are on an angle, you can see the dent more. It doesn't seem horrible.
Thanks a lot for any input!
Last edited by reyoasian; 01-21-13 at 07:52 PM.
#2
Curbed a wheel...now experience vibration
Getting no love in the wheel forum...going to try out here as usual...........
-----------------------
This isn't my Lexus, but my dad's RDX. I'm not active on any other car forums since I only drive a Lexus but just want to get some help/advice here anyways since you guys are so nice :P
On the RDX are steel wheels wrapped in snow tires
While turning right at an intersection, he curbed the driver's front wheel on a curb (there's an island separating right turn lane and straight lane, that's why it's driver's side wheel when turning right)
He was going down the straight (also down hill) at about 70-80 kph (43-50mph) before the turn, however it was dark and with snow and stuff at the sides, he couldn't see the curb early enough to turn away from it. He did brake, I'd assume he hit the curb at about 60% of the speed he was going at before the hit, maybe about 30mph-ish.
The driver's side front steel wheel has a dent. Not noticeable by the eye unless you look VERY closely. However when you run your finger around the wheel by the lip, you can feel that specific area dents in more.
Now when going about 90kph+ (about 55mph+), there is vibration in steering wheel.
I'm not an expert at this but I believe maybe two possibilities
1) alignment
2) wheel balancing
However, aside from that, anything I should be worried about with the axle or suspension? (control arms, wheel bearing, bushings, etc.?)
I took some pics, but it's night time so not very clear.
The first pic is pretty much looking at the wheel straight. Hard to notice anything. You can see the part by the arrow is more black/clean because I kept rubbing it with my finger to feel the dent
In the second and third pics, which are on an angle, you can see the dent more. It doesn't seem horrible.
Thanks a lot for any input!
-----------------------
This isn't my Lexus, but my dad's RDX. I'm not active on any other car forums since I only drive a Lexus but just want to get some help/advice here anyways since you guys are so nice :P
On the RDX are steel wheels wrapped in snow tires
While turning right at an intersection, he curbed the driver's front wheel on a curb (there's an island separating right turn lane and straight lane, that's why it's driver's side wheel when turning right)
He was going down the straight (also down hill) at about 70-80 kph (43-50mph) before the turn, however it was dark and with snow and stuff at the sides, he couldn't see the curb early enough to turn away from it. He did brake, I'd assume he hit the curb at about 60% of the speed he was going at before the hit, maybe about 30mph-ish.
The driver's side front steel wheel has a dent. Not noticeable by the eye unless you look VERY closely. However when you run your finger around the wheel by the lip, you can feel that specific area dents in more.
Now when going about 90kph+ (about 55mph+), there is vibration in steering wheel.
I'm not an expert at this but I believe maybe two possibilities
1) alignment
2) wheel balancing
However, aside from that, anything I should be worried about with the axle or suspension? (control arms, wheel bearing, bushings, etc.?)
I took some pics, but it's night time so not very clear.
The first pic is pretty much looking at the wheel straight. Hard to notice anything. You can see the part by the arrow is more black/clean because I kept rubbing it with my finger to feel the dent
In the second and third pics, which are on an angle, you can see the dent more. It doesn't seem horrible.
Thanks a lot for any input!
#5
Pole Position
iTrader: (7)
If there are no steering issues (ie. drifts to one side, uses more force to turn, leaking steering fluid) and there are no clanking sounds from underneath (like something is loose = torn bushings), then it's most likely your wheel is out of round. Go get it checked on a lift have a mechanic look underneath regardless.
Balancing the wheel may help minimize it, but the real solution is to either buy a new wheel, or go find a wheel repair shop that can repair the wheel and eliminate the bend. You're also lucky that they were steel wheels, there doesn't appear to be any cracks in the material.
Balancing the wheel may help minimize it, but the real solution is to either buy a new wheel, or go find a wheel repair shop that can repair the wheel and eliminate the bend. You're also lucky that they were steel wheels, there doesn't appear to be any cracks in the material.
#6
If there are no steering issues (ie. drifts to one side, uses more force to turn, leaking steering fluid) and there are no clanking sounds from underneath (like something is loose = torn bushings), then it's most likely your wheel is out of round. Go get it checked on a lift have a mechanic look underneath regardless.
Balancing the wheel may help minimize it, but the real solution is to either buy a new wheel, or go find a wheel repair shop that can repair the wheel and eliminate the bend. You're also lucky that they were steel wheels, there doesn't appear to be any cracks in the material.
Balancing the wheel may help minimize it, but the real solution is to either buy a new wheel, or go find a wheel repair shop that can repair the wheel and eliminate the bend. You're also lucky that they were steel wheels, there doesn't appear to be any cracks in the material.
Yeah, steel wheels in winter FTW.........never need to worry about them lol
#7
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ca
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try for simple. then work your way up. how did you curb the wheel/how hard did you hit it? could just be lose? maybe tighten it. dont jump to suspension or arm or ball joints. simple to hard.
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#10
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
If it is, that *might* balance out if its not severe but you never know. Check tire pressure for leaks from time to time. Sometimes the bend is on the inside of the wheel as well so if you have the opportunity in the daytime look there too.
#11
I think its more than a slight possibility, the wheel looks bent to me in some of the pictures (2nd and 3rd). Hard to tell because of the dirt & clean spots though playing tricks but I think this is more bent than curbed.
If it is, that *might* balance out if its not severe but you never know. Check tire pressure for leaks from time to time. Sometimes the bend is on the inside of the wheel as well so if you have the opportunity in the daytime look there too.
If it is, that *might* balance out if its not severe but you never know. Check tire pressure for leaks from time to time. Sometimes the bend is on the inside of the wheel as well so if you have the opportunity in the daytime look there too.
#12
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Alignment won't fix a bent wheel. Either balancing or wheel repair (there are probably places local that can straighten it or you can send it off to shops to get done). Or just replace since they are cheap steel wheels - may be cheaper than getting it fixed (usually $100+ per wheel)
#13
Alignment won't fix a bent wheel. Either balancing or wheel repair (there are probably places local that can straighten it or you can send it off to shops to get done). Or just replace since they are cheap steel wheels - may be cheaper than getting it fixed (usually $100+ per wheel)
First got to make sure nothing is wrong aside from the wheel itself
#14
Looks like just a bent wheel, a road force balancer can verify the problem though before you start having work done. But 1 new steel wheel and remount the tire he'll walk away from this cheaper than it could have been. I know the feeling, those curbs sneak up on you when they're covered by several inches of snow.
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