Has anyone else experienced any high speed vibration issues? I feel a vibration slightly in the steering wheel but more in the seat at high speed (about 100mph plus). I don't drive that fast very often at all (very, very infrequently), but it now annoyes me (because i know it does it and I am anal) and it concerns me for my planned DE events at Lime Rock this spring. I believe if it was tire(s) and wheel(s) being out of balance it would happen at some different lower speed range. The tires are wearing evenly. I don't even know how to ask the dealer to address it because it's not reasonable to have them test drive it at 100mph+ to duplicate. I guess I could ask them to check to make sure their balanced, but that may cost $$$ for nothing. Any suggestions except questioning/flack about ever so occasionally opening the car up?
Thanks,
Mark
I had very minor vibration between 65 - 75. To me it was clearly a balancing issue.
Took it back to the dealer and they said they "fine balanced" the wheel and all was fine.
Dunno if that helps but I would just tell them you feel a vibration at speed. The car is supposed to be driven all day on the authobahn ... it better not vibrate
I could well be a wheel/tire balance issue. Unfortuantely, the only way yo find out is have them checked, which will probably be at your expense. if you get them "road force" balanced, which simulates the tire actually being on the road, they spin them at a very high rate of speed, so if that's what it is, a good balance job will fix it.
If that's not what it is, then you could search along time - there's so many variables involved - speed, road surface, crosswinds, etc. just to name a few. It could be nearly impossible to isolate one specific thing. For instance, did you experience this on more than one road surface, or do you go that fast only in one place? I could just be the expansion joints in the road... or not...
brad
Mark, a couple of long shot suggestions if you feel the vibration in the steering wheel. If you have not cleaned the cosmoline completely from the inside of the front wheels it might pick up enough dirt to throw the balance off. Also you can check the troque on the front wheels if you have a troque wrench and know how to use it. If it isn't proper it might cause the problem. Both are long shots but are free.
Hi Beez,
Thanks, it has been 3 different roads.
Hi Santa Fe,
I have checked air pressure, I will check my lug nut torque settings (I do have a torque wrench and I do know how to use it). I will also make sure that the cosmoline is completely off.
If this doesn't work, I will have the tire/wheel balance checked. It's that when there is a balance issue it happens at different multiple speed ranges or all the time. it could be happening at a lower speed, but I just don't feel it because it's not as pronounced.
Thanks everyone! And if there are any more thoughts or similar experiences I am willing to listen!
I too have a minor vibration issue, but mine goes away in about 5 - 10 min. after starting to drive. My theory is that as the tires get warmer they change enough to offset the in-balance that caused the vibration in the first place. The problem shows up above 100km/hr (62mph).
Tires
It's a well known phenomena that tires take a set and if they're cold, it takes a few minutes for them to warm up and get "round" again. Sounds like your issue (which is a non-issue).
sometimes a minor imbalance will only be felt at the 2nd harmonic and not at lower speeds, especially on a rear wheel. And most balancing machines only rotate at the lower speed so they are not picked up. make sure your dealer has a high speed road force balancer and can check it at the speed you feel the vibration...
dw
