Hello,

I'm seeking some advice here. I have a 2018 GS 350 AWD. I recently changed the wheels on it to RCF staggred setup. Running 235/19/40 with 15 mm spacers at the front and 255/19/35, with no spacers at the back. I am experiencing a bit of vibration while driving over 80 KM. Any suggestions?

 

First step is to check wheel balancing.

 

The wheels are balanced.

 

Might be your wheel spacers if wheels/tires are balanced.

 

You'll need to determine which corner (wheel/tire combo) the vibration is coming from. Depending on the type of bay lift you have access to, you may be able to determine that by engaging in gear to drive the wheel/tires off the ground and observing the wheel/tire mass rotating to see if there is any bounce or shimmy taking place.

If you have access to a tire shop that uses a Hunter 'Road Force' Balancing machine, it will determine if any of the tires need to be re-positioned on their respective wheel for a perfect balance.

Also, make sure the wheel to hub contact is void of any rust or debris that can cause a vibration. The best tire shops will wire brush the hub contact area to get rid of any rust/debris. Also, the best tire shops will use a manual torque wrench to tighten the wheel to factory specs using the star tightening pattern instead of using an impact wrench.

Just because a tire shop says 'the wheels are balanced' doesn't mean each wheel/tire combo is balanced the absolute best it possibly can be balanced. Many tire shops use outdated balancing equipment that works for them with the majority of their customers, but certainly not all... Both factory wheels and high-end tires have tolerances that, when not taken into effect can easily be the source of an imbalance condition.

 

Right there. But the dust and debris can be a factor as well.

Where is the vibration coming from, front or rear? Through the steering wheel? As you pass 80kph then it settles down? Does it vibrate more under braking? So many things affect wheel vibration...

I also recently learned that the colored dots on a tire's sidewall also indicate imperfections during the manufacturing process, flat spots, lightest/heaviest side of the tire, etc. Many installers do not know this or simply choose to ignore the dots.

Give us a little more detail and the Club Lexus detectives will try to point you in the best direction.

 

► What Does a Red or Yellow Dot on Your Tires Mean?