Honda Accord Tourer (2003 - 2008) - 05 2.2 Wheel balancing problems

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Tue 3 Feb 2009 08:12
05 2.2 Wheel balancing problems - Statistical outlier
I purchased some Michelin PS2 tyres thru a well known internet retailer, and then had a local garage fit them. The initial balance was so far out the car was almost undriveable, and they sent me to a local tyre specialist to get them sorted.

The first three times they balanced them, the weights fell off within yards. They eventually did it a completely different way with stick on weights. Although it wasn't bad, it wasn't right either, with mild vibrations at motorway speeds.

Because of work pressure, and because it was relatively minor, it was about 5k miles before I got to go back. Another three attempts, and I thought that they had sorted it.

But. 300 miles later, and with the car having sat parked at Heathrow for 10 days, the vibrations are back. But I'm not sure it's consistent - I get the impression that it's stronger at times. I'm getting paranoid. Can it really be wheel balance that's the problem? Should I be looking for something else? On the other hand, it was smooth as silk until I had the new tyres put on, and has been a problem ever since.

Suggestions for what I should try? My gut is to try a different garage first for rebalance, and if that doesn't work, replace the front tyres (keeping the current ones) so see if a tyre problem.

Any thoughts on what I should try?
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Tue 3 Feb 2009 10:04
05 2.2 Wheel balancing problems - L'escargot
The first three times they balanced them the weights fell off within yards.


I bet they were weights intended for steel wheels, but put onto alloy wheels.
Any thoughts on what I should try?


I had a similar problem years ago and it turned out to be poor circularity and/or high radial runout of the tyres. Fortunately it was a brand new car and I had the tyres replaced by a different make (Michelin, incidentally) under warranty.

Try swapping wheels front to rear to see whether it makes a difference.

Edited by L'escargot on 03/02/2009 at 10:05

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Tue 3 Feb 2009 12:40
05 2.2 Wheel balancing problems - Statistical outlier
I took the car to ATS this morning, and had them rebalance the front wheels.

They thought the previous attempt was "crazy" with "weights everywhere". Their attempt seems to have been completely successful, with a 5 mile blat along the A38 showing no vibrations. We shall see.

More confusingly, they commented that the front tyres were wearing slightly on the inside edge, but when they checked the tracking, they though that it needed toed out by 1.5 degrees. This seemed rather contradictory, so I declined any adjustment. Thoughts?
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Tue 3 Feb 2009 13:01
05 2.2 Wheel balancing problems - Collos25
My Honda accord was the same three attempts to balance the front wheels with the new tyres problem cured when we balanced the rear wheels.
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