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Car vibration

Old Oct 26, 2010 | 02:17 PM
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Question Car vibration

I'm not sure exactly when this started happening, but it's been going on for a few weeks, at least.

Basically once I hit 60-80mph, I start feeling that the car is 'vibrating' -- not quite an engine vibro thing, but it feels like what you would feel if there was some gunk 'stuck' to one of your tires and so the small 'bump' you get whenever your tire rolls over it. The first couple of weeks I thought it was just the road surface -- I live in Los Angeles so the roads are messed up, but then I started noticing that even on clean/clear tarmac I would feel the vibration. When I drive slower than 60mpg I can't feel any 'bumps'/'vibration'.

My wife thinks it's my tire alignment that's causing it. Any other ideas/thoughts?
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 02:31 PM
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Cost effective place to begin is to have wheels/tires “road force” balanced http://www.gsp9700.com/
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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A through visual inspection looking for tread separation ( lumps) would be wise also.

Run your hand over the tread of each tyre looking to feel any irregularities.

I would not be driving at 80 MPH before finding out what the cause is !!
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 03:33 PM
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most likely out of balance or if they are cheap aftermarkets...right around 70-80 is were you'll feel the imperfection. does the steering wheel shake?

if its alignment, it would just pull, not wobble.

if they are OEM wheels or good aftermarkets, could be as simple as tire pressure not being equal.
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted by BEEPbeepZIPtang
most likely out of balance or if they are cheap aftermarkets...right around 70-80 is were you'll feel the imperfection. does the steering wheel shake?

if its alignment, it would just pull, not wobble.

if they are OEM wheels or good aftermarkets, could be as simple as tire pressure not being equal.
Thanks guys, I'll bring it in to a tire shop for a check when I get the chance over the next couple of days.

The steering wheel does shake, but that's because the whole car is pretty much shaking. It's not really a violent shaking, but is actually rather subtle, which is why it didn't catch my attention immediately.

I inherited these tires/wheels from the previous owner. Car didn't shake when I bought it about 6 months ago but just started a few weeks ago.
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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Took it into a shop equipped with the gsp9700 today. Explained to the owner about the vibration at 60mph and above, and he took it around the block. Then he lifted it and immediately pointed out some bumps in my left rear tire, indicated a separated tire. Mystery solved, but now I have to get a new set of tires. Thanks all!
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 01:20 AM
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Thanks for the follow up. Not many do !!
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