did this happen to anyone, after I replaced my front tires with Kumho tire (235/40/18)(2days ago), my car is drifting the right when I drive on a straight road, I had the alignment check, everything is in specs. (no accident with the car in anyway)

the wheels and tires are removed, switch side, rebalance, I am still pulling to the right. what is going on, I am going back to replace both front tire, should I replace with the tire with another set of Kuhmo? I heard lot of good thing with this tire, what the heck???

should I stick with the more expensive tires? ie Toyo TS1? hee hee, this is sux

 

What type of equipment is being used to mount & balance the wheels/tires?

 

dunno, the standard machine at discount tire co. and National Tire and Battery, pretty big place

 

My reason for asking is that their is a particular mounting & balancing that is way more precise in comprison to the common equipment used. I believe that due to the sensitive nature of Lexus vehicles, especially the late model GS, these common-natured balancing machines contribute to the ever popular steering wheel vibration that occurs around 60 mph.

From my info, the manufacture "Hunter" makes a balancing machine that has much stricter tolerances as compared to machines in its class.

Out of the entire DC area here, there is only one location that has this device. It's a Merchants store here in neighboring Columbia, MD (shout out to Anthony!).

I believe this vibration was covered in a very detailed post a while ago.


IMHO, I would rather rebalance, then swap tires.
Search on, my man!! Keep us posted.

 

You need to check the alignement of the wheels!!!.
Probably out of line

that's it

success

jacko

yezzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Uh..........he already had the alignment checked. Backatcha'

 

You might also want to double check the pressure of the tires. First off, they should (obviously ) be the same. Second, what pressure are they at?

There was a thread awhile back about running higher pressure with low profile tires. When I first got my wheels, they were set at 32. My car did track to the right a little bit. I eventually went to 35 and now am at 38. The car runs straighter now. I am not sure if the problem went away completely but I have not consciously noticed it tracking to the right. Even if it is still there, it is negligible now.

If you've already tried this, then hopefully someone else will have another suggestion to help you. If you have not, it does not hurt to check. Checking/setting tire pressure is quick and free . Good luck.

 

I also have problem with steering wheel when I which from 17" to 18". It will vibrate when the tire is cold... from 55 to 75~.. when the tire get hot.. eventually it went away.. I need to up my pressure... but... the AVS DB has a max of 44 PSI.. If I put up to 38 PSI cold.. chances are when they are hot.. they will hit that max..

I also have vib probme when I brake.. (TRD Brake Upgrade was done on my 17" without any prob).. but when braking with my 18".. it vib too..

 

I am not sure about other tires, but my Michelin Pilot Sport is max 51 psi. I don't know what is a safe pressure relative to the max psi. I just assume a 13 psi buffer would be OK (for me). I am sure someone on this board would have a better scientific answer. Once that info is available, people can do what is appropriate for their tires.

 

Thanks guys. NTB had check the car alignment and re-balance the front wheels, (all for free of course)
Discount tire had check the pressue also, they agreed to replace my front tires, but they can't get Toyo, so I am stuck with Nitto 555, I think it will be OK hee hee.

since they don't have the tires in stock, they are ordering them, i will keep you guys posted. I am leaving for Paris this friday, so getting the car fix will have to push back a few weeks.

Anh

 

That's normal... low profile tires get 'flat spots' when the car is sitting, and the tire has to warm up to get back to 'round'.

 

lexlyf:

FYI...

Curry's Auto (http://www.currysauto.com) also uses Hunter equipment. They're located in Chantilly and Sterling, VA. Very good performance shop w/honest mechanics.

-Altaf

 

Wonderful, but I think I would need to pack a lunch to get there, LOL!!! That's out i-66 west direction, right??

 

Yup, you can take the Dulles Toll Road or 66 West... both locations are off Route 28.

-Altaf

 

banana sound like you have a radial tire pull that is a problem with the tires have them swap the tires from left to right