Steering wobble - bad tyres?

[cobra2222]

Hi all,

I have a steering wheel shake and vibration in the seats when going over 60mph.. I have had the wheels balanced three times and have replaced both front wheel bearings, tie rod inner and ends and also new discs and pads but its still there.. am I only now left with it being bad front tyres?

 

[Avnt]

Unless the wheels buckled badly. Have you tried front to backing the wheels? Could be out of round tyre

 

[cobra2222]

garage checked the wheels and said they were ok and no I haven't, the rears are wider, would that matter for testing purposes?

 

[Avnt]

I wouldnt know as unsure of clearences on the front. Thats the worst bit of staggered set. How old are the tyres? How worn?

 

[cobra2222]

Tyres are about 4 months old with loads of tread, goodyear eagle f1's

 

[wheels-inmotion]

The wheels need to be mounted on the balancer by the stud holes not the centre hole.

 

[Philip1972]

The wheels need to be mounted on the balancer by the stud holes not the centre hole.

Stupid question I expect, but what do you mean?

 

[RichardF]

I think I'd try to isolate wheel problems with a front to back swap. Even though there staggered, if they fit over the brakes ok, careful with full lock and avoid hard cornering.

When did the vibration start?

 

[sirius9]

Wheel shake n seat vibrations at 60mph all point towards wheel balancing both front n rear.

Different operators makes the difference.

Maybe get these balanced at another place and make sure they remove old weights.

No point changing front to back as i am preetty certain vibrations will still occur.

 

[cobra2222]

I've had it balanced three times by three different garages. Rear tyres are about 2 weeks old, I'll try the wheel swap anyway as can't hurt to try

 

[Stratman]

When you replaced the discs were the hub flanges scrupulously cleaned? The tiniest imperfection near the centre of the wheel is much bigger at the tyre.

 

[cobra2222]

So I swapped the wheels and the vibration had gone in the seats but the wheel shook a tiny bit but I'm assuming that's because I've swapped the wheels for testing. Looks like I'll get some new tyres in the week

 

[RichardF]

As the tyres aren't very old I'd be reluctant to change them. Perhaps a road force balance would help.
Balance My Car | Road Force Balancing | Hunter Wheel Balancing

 

[Flyinspanner]

Have you checked the bushes on steering rack mountings?
Anti roll bar bushes, droplinks etc.

It would seem to indicate wheel balance though, and a hunter geometry check is very good too. Good point about your hubs being free of any contamination. It's amazing what small imperfections can be magnified at speed.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Dbl post

 

[cobra2222]

I didn't really go after the steering rack or anti roll etc as I'm not getting and noises or knocks when turning etc

Maybe I'll check out this hunter balancing

 

[wheels-inmotion]

Stupid question I expect, but what do you mean?

The deep dish wheels centre hole is cosmetically central so placing the mounting dye there gives an incorrect reading whereas mounting the wheel on a studded plate simulates how the wheel is mounted on the car.

 

[optimusprime]

Can you get a balace done with wheels on the car?

 

[RichardF]

The deep dish wheels centre hole is cosmetically central so placing the mounting dye there gives an incorrect reading whereas mounting the wheel on a studded plate simulates how the wheel is mounted on the car.

Interesting, does this affect many MB models? I wonder how many tyre fitters know this.

 

[kid-jensen]

Possibly also:-
Bit of play in the wheel bearings
Worn Shocks
Upper or lower ball joints/swivels
Track Rod ends.