AndyK

Once again, I had my wheels re-painted by my mechanic (first time body shop painted them a strange grey). Picked up the car last night, and drove it home in the streets. With the new front tires mounted, the mechanic had to put a crap load of balancing weights on the rim to get it to balance. The front right never needed a ton of weight with the old tires, and the car ran great.

Tonight, I get the car up past 50, and the steering wheel goes up and down like it's going to fall off...kind of a pulsating, on/off thing. Not just a "944 shimmy", but a "should I pull over--this is bad" vibration. The faster I go, the WORSE it gets.

Could the new front tire be at fault (Yokahama AVS Decibel)? Could my race-car building mechanic not have wheel balancing perfected?? Seems like a stack of stuck-on weights wouldnt be to great at high speeds to me...no?

What can I do? Like the song says, "I can't drive 55"!!??

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Bob S. 1984 Silver

New tires can be bad. Just a little trick...jack up the car just enough to clear the ground and see if the wheel can be spun without hitting the ground anywhere or whether the distance between ground and tire varies as the wheel turns. If the "roundness" is OK, then the problem lies elsewhere but I would bet the tire is bad.

I have seen tires so out of round that the front wheel (won't work on the back!!!) would settle into the came position (heavy point down) over and over again.

Keep us posted

Bob S.

Damian in NJ

I'm guessing you didn't get the tires at Eurotire Andy? Sounds like a rebalance would be the first step.

AndyK

Good idea about checking the tire for "roundness". Gotta try that.

I got the tires from Wheelenhancement.com. Originally I was going to have THEM refinish my rims, but my mechanic here said they are notorius for not returning core charges (you had that problem too Damian, right?), so I canceled my order, but since they already received the tires, I took them off their hands.

Are tires warrantied anywhere, or do I have to send one back to where I bought it if it's lame?

JB '87 944

Great idea on checking the tire for roundness!

Damian in NJ

For the record I had my problem with Robert Wood Wheels, which was the name previous to the new owners. I've only bought new lug nuts from Wheel Enhancement, and was satisfied with my transaction.

AndyK

Ah. Actually, Wheel Enhancement was pretty cool and gave me my money back when I canceled. Which is why I bought the tires from them--not wanting to stick them with tires they ordered for me.

So, are they warrantied, or what?

AndyK

Well, as a follow up, I got fed up with the vibrating steering wheel, so I took the car to Pep Boys for a second balancing. I told them the problem, and both managers said "bent rims?". I didn't think so, as how could my trusty Porsche mechanic have me re-finish bent wheels?

So, they attempted to balance the wheels, and, they were right! Both front rims are wobbly on that balance machine...just slightly oval I guess. They balanced best as they could, but for $19, I got my answer.

Wish I was told this BEFORE the refinish! Now, I have two beautiful looking oval rims!? Can I get them straightened by anyone?? Are they fixable, or do I have to start over and spend a fortune looking for 16" front phone dials??

Waaaaa!