Celicasaur

A few weeks ago I was on the power big time on some country roads in the middle of nowhere and of course, this being the UK, I hit the mother of all pot holes at a decent speed (~50mph and a ~4" deep pit lol). Ever since that night, my car has been feeling crumby. Handling is appalling now and I don't have any sense of true grip or understanding of what the car wants, I've fitted brand new rear tyres and had tracking done, but still the car feels like crap. I can't drive fast anymore. I had to shut down at ~120 against the M5 last week because it felt really light and unstable....I then had trouble with ~100 on Monday...Tuesday it was feeling unstable and crappy at around 80 and today 50....whatever it is, it's coming to a head pretty damn soon. Almost sounds like the trademark helicopter sound of a wheel bearing but it's hard to tell from the exhaust I've got.

What do we think, wheel bearing, right? My friend stuck his head out the window and said he thinks my rear left wheel was wobbling about a little while I was moving...

Shifter

Maybe put it in the air and wiggle all the wheels just for starters

Celicasaur

FML that's the first thing I should have done before posting!

Thanks buddy. I'll try that tomorrow after work.

They should go in and out slightly if there's a bearing issue, right?

BBBSS

Watch a couple videos and you'll know exactly what you're looking for.

Start here.

If it's not too bad yet you may have to do something like this. Grab something solid behind the wheel in question and feel for a rumbly/rough feeling. This works on any car, not just front wheel drive.

Carterhkrs

Any updates? Seems like im having same problem now...

Celicasaur

Yes - apologies, I was meant to update on Saturday.

So Friday evening after work, I had a look...shook all four wheels...couldn't see any problems. I washed my car and then did the usual thing where you stand and admire it from all angles...then I stood from behind...and noticed my read left tyre was sitting at a 1 or 2 degree angle on the rim almost like the tyre had camber on the wheel).

On close inspection, on the inside of the wheel, the tyre...ahh man, I was so pissed. The soft smooth stretchy bit of the tyre that's meant to tuck into the wheel lip was bulging out across a 10inch diameter of the rim!! Other part of the inside tyre wall look smooshed and 'stuffed' into the rim. I was really angry with the tyre shop as that was a brand new tyre and it has been wobbling/getting worse from day 1. Yes it's my fault for not following up. I just thought it was a wheel spacer/imbalance issue.

I just wish I took a photo...because the next morning, on my way to the tyre shop (you can't make this up!) it popped on the road!! I 'can' take a pic of that tonight. I've got a nice rip on the inside wall but 8mm tread...grrrr....yes I went to the tyre shop to screw, but naturally they denied any responsibility and said it's a faulty tyre and that it's not possible for them to have made an error because any bulge would have meant an imbalance of the tyre on their machine and they'd have spotted it.

Anyway, what's done is done. I've got another new tyre waiting to go on this Thursday or Friday I"m just glad that they tyre didn't give way when I was racing that M5 last Saturday.... :|