Alignment and Aftermarket wheels
 

Since installing my new wheels and tires, my car has been pulling very sharply to the right, and there is a fairly harsh vibration in the steering wheel at speeds over 55mph. The dealer aligned the car, and was unable to do it. (They have done it just fine before.) A local tire shop also tried to align it, and was unable to. I have had the wheels and tires moved all over in different combinations, with no luck. Does anyone have any ideas? If I am unable to sove this problem, I will be selling the car. I cant afford it anymore.

-mike

Hey mike - are you still without your stock rims? Was going to recommend seeing if the symptons went away if you swapped back...

Maybe have a shop that specializes in wheels take a look, or perhaps a messed up tire?

I asked my dad to pick me up a new stock wheel on his way to work tomorrow. So, I should know pretty soon. If it is the aftermarket wheels and tires, any ideas what it could be?

-Mike

try seeing if they are balanced correctly

had them rebalanced 2 times today.

-m

Hey Mike
 

I've been feeling the frustration in your recent posts and I know your pain, really I do.

You need to find a good old fashioned alignment shop. They are rather hard to find, but it is amazing what a long time alignment specialist can find that a [flame suit on] local tire shop kid cannot. Talk to the high-end body shops in your neck of the woods and see who they recommend. You may also have some out of true or out of balance wheels. I had my SSR's mounted and balanced by the TireRack when I bought them and had a NASTY vibration at 70-80 mph. Took them to my local VW dealer and had them statically balanced and they smoothed right out. VW/Audi have been using the stick on wheel balancing weights on their stock wheels for a couple of years now.

Let me reiterate, I know what you're going through as do many others here. I just about dumped mine before I came across this site. I know it sounds contrite, but stick with it my friend.

Todd

There is an alignment shop that the dealer recommended me to. I called them today, and they cant work me in 'till around the end of july. I've spent like $170 on nothing but alignments in the last week. On top of everything else. I will be paying for this car for a VERY VERY long time. Even though the car itself is paid off. this is NOT the car for a college student. I wouldnt wish this financial hell on anyone.

-Mike

To top it off, the chevy dealer came back to me with a final trade in offer on my svx. $2800. How could it be worth so little? Its in good condition.

-Mike

Hey sorry to hear the troubles mike...i too had the same problem when i switched back to my 17s. no problem untill i hit 55-60ish..then the wheel started shacking. My dad took it in a couple times....and now its all good :( I guess we were lucky. It may be possible that the lugs are not tightened enough..or maybe over tightened

If you have both pulling and vibration problems that weren't there before the swap I'd suspect a bad tire or two. You said that the tires have been moved around on the car without change. Not knowing how they were moved is the problem. I would recommend swapping just the two front tires side-to-side and see if the pulling changes. If it does swap one front to the same side rear and drive again. Do you see the logic here? I know it's a PITA, but it's necessary to eliminate/identify the problem.

Once you have the pulling situ' figured out (and if you indeed did find a bad tire, make them warranty it) and continue to have a vibration, try this:

http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/Findgsp9700.cfm

We have a brand new balancer in the shop, but it doesn't do the job that this machine does. I had a local shop do mine and the difference is phenomenal! Read the "how it works" page (tab at top) to save space here. Downside = about $80 to balance four tires. For me it was worth every penny, but I'm picky.