Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma

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Tue 26 Jul 2005 18:16
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - Adam {P}
Evening all,

After the rather sharp learning curve of the Fiesta, I'm super super careful when it comes to tyres and potholes/kerbs etc. So it's with more than a little annoyance that I think my tracking needs sorting.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that around the 85-90 mark, the wheel began shaking - not too badly but certainly noticable. It now does it at 70. The thing is, it only got sorted a year ago so I'm thinking if something else is up. Whilst I don't touch potholes or kerbs in it, I do ask a lot of the wheels. I'm quite enthusiastic on the bends but surely this doesn't have anything to do with it?

Also, when I got the car, I had a similar problem. I took it to a fairly large outfit who charged 30 quid to balance all four wheels and it never solved it. A few months later I took it to a more backstreet type place (who we go to now all the time for tyres seeing as they're very good) who diagnosed an odd tyre and all was well.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Should I go to this backstreet place who've seen me right - even though I know full well they won't have any laser gadgetry or do I go somewhere else to get it done "properly".

Any input would, as always be much appreciated.

Cheers,
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Adam
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Tue 26 Jul 2005 21:11
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - Number_Cruncher
Adam,

Normally, tracking errors don't cause vibration. Tyre wear, high fuel consumption, odd steering feel at low speeds, yes, vibration, no.

When you say the back street place diagnosed "an odd tyre", what, exactly do you mean?

It isn't out of the question for it to be a balancing problem. It is quite possible for a tyre which has been properly balanced to become imbalanced as it wears.

Prior to spending any cash, jack up each corner, and check that your tyres are running true, not buckled or warped in any way, being careful to check that there aren't any untoward bumps in the sidewall. No amount of balancing, however accurate, will enable a damaged wheel/tyre to run smoothly.

I hope that helps, and that you can preserve your, possibly, meagre student funds for important things like ale...

Number_Cruncher
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Tue 26 Jul 2005 21:16
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - Civic8
Hi Adam.You havent noticed a wheel balancing weight missing by any chance??.Possible reason for it
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Steve
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Tue 26 Jul 2005 21:34
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - Adam {P}
He guys,

NC - I seem to remember that last time, people on here suggested the tyre could have had a deformity on it which was proved right by this "back street" tyre place.

I'll do all that you suggest along with Steve's suggestion of checking the weights are there tomorrow. (The car isn't here at the moment).

Thanks for your suggestions - I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow,

Cheers
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Adam
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Tue 26 Jul 2005 21:40
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - Number_Cruncher
The deformity is exactly the type of fault which can be picked up by spinning the wheel, and watching carefully. If that is what you find, then a new tyre is on the cards.

I think that Steve's suggestion is a good one, well worth checking out!

Cheers,

Number_Cruncher
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Wed 27 Jul 2005 01:17
Tyre Balancing/Tracking Dilemma - smokie
Might be worth paying a tenner to have the tyres swapped, front to back and/or side to side to see if the problem moves. Not always discernable though.

Many years ago I clouted a kerb hard while on full lock in an Escort (I blamed the ice!). That caused a wobble at 70ish which turned out to be a bent something in the wheel or suspension gubbins - can't quite remember what - but it wasn't cheap, partly due to the time taken to identify it!
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