Strange vibration at 40-70 mph
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Joined: Oct 2022
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From: Zelenec
Strange vibration at 40-70 mph
I am starting to pull my hair out. Got 90k on the clock, car recently developed a slight vibration that is progressively worst with cold temperature. Running OEM 19" rims. here is what I did:
- balanced all tires, vibration persists at 40 mph and again 90 mph
- bought 4 new tires and had them balanced, vibration stays at 55 mph exactly
- took it to shop to check hubs, all ok, said rims OK too.
- took to another reputable INDY shop, said 3 rims are bent, so they sent them to be fixed, after that they remounted and balanced tires, test drove it at outside temp 50*F minimum to no vibration. AWESOME
- next day super cold at temp 14*F, vibration is back at 40 mph only
Had car inspected on hoist multiple times for cracked bushings, mounts, any looseness with all being good except one sweating front strut.
I am thinking, its either still bent rim that shows rebellion in cold temp as tire is low profile 265/35 and hardens over night or strut is more serious than just sweating [ already ordered pair of new ones ]
Any input/recommendation will be highly appreciated.
- balanced all tires, vibration persists at 40 mph and again 90 mph
- bought 4 new tires and had them balanced, vibration stays at 55 mph exactly
- took it to shop to check hubs, all ok, said rims OK too.
- took to another reputable INDY shop, said 3 rims are bent, so they sent them to be fixed, after that they remounted and balanced tires, test drove it at outside temp 50*F minimum to no vibration. AWESOME
- next day super cold at temp 14*F, vibration is back at 40 mph only
Had car inspected on hoist multiple times for cracked bushings, mounts, any looseness with all being good except one sweating front strut.
I am thinking, its either still bent rim that shows rebellion in cold temp as tire is low profile 265/35 and hardens over night or strut is more serious than just sweating [ already ordered pair of new ones ]
Any input/recommendation will be highly appreciated.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,914
From: Texas
@petr4271 - You've got too many conditions intertwined that makes it difficult to single out any one of them as the culprit. The problem may very likely be a combination of two or more of them.
Bent wheels, Oversized, low profile tires (of an unknown brand and whether they are summer or all-season rated)
Cold temperature (tires - especially summer rated tires - don't like cold temperature). Summer tires can flat spot easily in just a matter of mere minutes which will cause a vibration at different speeds until they are warmed-up and become perfectly round again.
I dare say, if you installed high-quality OE size all-season tires on OE wheels you wouldn't have this hair-pulling problem. But I suspect you knew what you were getting into when you changed wheels and tire size. The best way to avoid this is to never get involved with changing wheels and tire sizes drastically in the first place.
Bent wheels, Oversized, low profile tires (of an unknown brand and whether they are summer or all-season rated)
Cold temperature (tires - especially summer rated tires - don't like cold temperature). Summer tires can flat spot easily in just a matter of mere minutes which will cause a vibration at different speeds until they are warmed-up and become perfectly round again.
I dare say, if you installed high-quality OE size all-season tires on OE wheels you wouldn't have this hair-pulling problem. But I suspect you knew what you were getting into when you changed wheels and tire size. The best way to avoid this is to never get involved with changing wheels and tire sizes drastically in the first place.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 11
From: Zelenec
@petr4271 - You've got too many conditions intertwined that makes it difficult to single out any one of them as the culprit. The problem may very likely be a combination of two or more of them.
Bent wheels, Oversized, low profile tires (of an unknown brand and whether they are summer or all-season rated)
Cold temperature (tires - especially summer rated tires - don't like cold temperature). Summer tires can flat spot easily in just a matter of mere minutes which will cause a vibration at different speeds until they are warmed-up and become perfectly round again.
I dare say, if you installed high-quality OE size all-season tires on OE wheels you wouldn't have this hair-pulling problem. But I suspect you knew what you were getting into when you changed wheels and tire size. The best way to avoid this is to never get involved with changing wheels and tire sizes drastically in the first place.
Bent wheels, Oversized, low profile tires (of an unknown brand and whether they are summer or all-season rated)
Cold temperature (tires - especially summer rated tires - don't like cold temperature). Summer tires can flat spot easily in just a matter of mere minutes which will cause a vibration at different speeds until they are warmed-up and become perfectly round again.
I dare say, if you installed high-quality OE size all-season tires on OE wheels you wouldn't have this hair-pulling problem. But I suspect you knew what you were getting into when you changed wheels and tire size. The best way to avoid this is to never get involved with changing wheels and tire sizes drastically in the first place.
I will try to put toyota 18 rims that I have on my C-HR and post a progress as I dont want this tread to vanish in quiet. Someone else can benefit from my result in future.
Last edited by petr4271; Dec 13, 2022 at 11:22 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 1,213
From: IL
Isolate the symptoms: drive a bit faster than the speed that causes the vibration and after
checking for traffic shift out of Drive and into Neutral. Let the car coast down through the
previously affected speed(s). If this now displays less or no vibration then your culprit is in
the drivetrain somewhere. Another "shade tree mechanic" technique would involve driving
at the affected speed(s) and lightly applying the brake while still using the throttle to maintain
the speed. If the brakes are causing the vibration you should feel less (or more!) vibration.
checking for traffic shift out of Drive and into Neutral. Let the car coast down through the
previously affected speed(s). If this now displays less or no vibration then your culprit is in
the drivetrain somewhere. Another "shade tree mechanic" technique would involve driving
at the affected speed(s) and lightly applying the brake while still using the throttle to maintain
the speed. If the brakes are causing the vibration you should feel less (or more!) vibration.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 11
From: Zelenec
Isolate the symptoms: drive a bit faster than the speed that causes the vibration and after
checking for traffic shift out of Drive and into Neutral. Let the car coast down through the
previously affected speed(s). If this now displays less or no vibration then your culprit is in
the drivetrain somewhere. Another "shade tree mechanic" technique would involve driving
at the affected speed(s) and lightly applying the brake while still using the throttle to maintain
the speed. If the brakes are causing the vibration you should feel less (or more!) vibration.
checking for traffic shift out of Drive and into Neutral. Let the car coast down through the
previously affected speed(s). If this now displays less or no vibration then your culprit is in
the drivetrain somewhere. Another "shade tree mechanic" technique would involve driving
at the affected speed(s) and lightly applying the brake while still using the throttle to maintain
the speed. If the brakes are causing the vibration you should feel less (or more!) vibration.
I didnt have a chance to swap the wheels from my C-HR just yet as I drive both cars. Meanwhile Im waiting for front struts + I threw new transmission mount into basket as its cheap and Im sure its worn out after those years. Im not super stressed out of the situation, mainly I take it for research and edu purposes.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 11
From: Zelenec
Update
I had some time today so decided to check front wheels myself after they allegendly been fixed. I lifted up a car and spun them around just to find this. One front wheel is bent as hell, I texted a guy who I paid to have them straightened and he insist its OK not causing any vibration. I call it BS. Now on search for new set of wheel as well.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,914
From: Texas
I had some time today so decided to check front wheels myself after they allegendly been fixed. I lifted up a car and spun them around just to find this. One front wheel is bent as hell, I texted a guy who I paid to have them straightened and he insist its OK not causing any vibration. I call it BS. Now on search for new set of wheel as well.
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