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  #1  
Old 06-19-2002, 06:06 PM
Green1995SVX
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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
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  #2  
Old 06-19-2002, 06:53 PM
sith
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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?
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  #3  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:08 PM
Green1995SVX
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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
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  #4  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:18 PM
EverclearAtMSU
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try seeing if they are balanced correctly
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  #5  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:23 PM
Green1995SVX
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had them rebalanced 2 times today.

-m
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  #6  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:23 PM
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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
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  #7  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:30 PM
Green1995SVX
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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
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  #8  
Old 06-19-2002, 08:33 PM
Green1995SVX
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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
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  #9  
Old 06-19-2002, 11:12 PM
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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
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  #10  
Old 06-20-2002, 04:40 PM
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Significant Technical Input
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.
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