Wheel balance? Alignment? or what?
 

1 1/2 weeks ago I put my OEM tires back on for the summer. Ever since, I seem to notice that the right front feels like it is always going over bumps - especially around 70-80mph. I don't feel a pull in the steering wheel. Can anyone give me an idea as to what is wrong?

As a side note - I am driving without a lug nut on the right rear because of a stripped lug. I am hoping the issue isn't around that. Either way, when the dealer gets the parts in to change the lug, I am going to have them look at the other issue I am experiencing.

Thanks for the feedback.

dag

Sounds like either balance or a flatspot. The flat spot should work its way out on it's own, balance won't .... get it checked for balance.

Also, GET THAT LUG on there ASAP! Having four of five lugs means uneven pressure on the brake rotor, which will cause warping.

Thanks StewC625 - shouldn't be a flat spot since I haven't skidded or anything like that. Stored the tires on the side as per Tire Rack's recommendations. I was leaning towards wheel balance too.

As for the lug - I brought it to the dealer last week and they said they will have to do it later because they didn't realize they would have to replace the wheel bearings too. They are waiting for the wheel bearing to come in.

dag

Maybe you put the tires on backwards. At least that's what happened to me last week. I had misslabled the tires when I put them away last fall so when I put them back on I had the right side tires on the left and lefts on the right. The car handled well but the tires made a funny noise.

I never cease to amaze myself on how stupid I can be sometime I should just stay in bed and eat cookies and watch tv all day.

Actually, somewhere on this board its pretty well documented that the tires deteriorate fast if not rotated often, and the result is a "slap slap slap" or "wap wap wap." This may be your problem and it may just be time to chuck the offending tire. The high performance factory rubber we get doesn't last more than 20,000 miles, so if you have close to that on them you might as well just chuck them all four anyway. (nobody said these cars were cheap to run).

I roatated mine when I put the summer tires back two weeks ago and luckily there are no problems. Mixing them up a little should actually help promote even wear.

I am pretty sure I put them on with the right direction. I will double check. I was pretty conscientious about it when I was doing the tire swap.


As far as rotating the tires and/or tire wear - these tires only have 10K miles on them (Winter have 21K on them). I will try to find the thread you referenced and see if I have the problem you are referring. I hope not, but hey, just like you said, maintaining any car is not cheap.

dag