Vibration from steering wheel

[pflowers]

I have recently changed from 17" Pirelli runflats to Pirelli P - zeros. At first it transformed the car and although the ride is still much better, one of the problems I had before that I thought was down to the runflats has returned. From about 50 - 80 mph there is a noticable shake through the steering wheel ( if you take your hands off you can see it moving ) It is as though the wheels are out of balance, but I don't think they are. It is really noticable when the car is cold but as it warms up it fades away. Sometimes it goes completely but other times even when warm at motorway speeds you get a harsh feeling through the steering wheel.

This problem was there with the runflats but definately disappeared for the first few days after changing them.

Maybe I am just paranoid but something just does not feel right ?

Any ideas ??

[DJC]

Hi, i have also changed from R/F to PZero and am well happy with the result. The problem you are describing does not sound right, would recommend getting the wheel balance checked again. I was lucky and got my tyres fitted at a friends tyre bay, watched everything they did as i am very fussy with wheels and tyres. Maybe try a different place for the balancing, see what they say. Hope this helps, regards Damian.

[pflowers]

Thanks, I think I will take it in tommorrow to get them re-balanced. I suppose the balance could change slightly as the tyres bed in ?? Hopefully it is as simple as that.

[DJC]

Just had a silly thought, maybe some of the balance weights could have fallen off. I know the weights have very sticky pads but the front wheels have a lot of brake dust on the inside, might be the cause. Good luck tommorros, regards Damian.

[wigley]

I have the exact same problem

I switched to a completely different wheel/tyre package a few months ago. For a while everything was fine and the transformation was great. Then I started getting the same slight vibration through the steering wheel you are describing.

Last Saturday I had the front wheels balanced and the tracking adjusted. No change I had convinced myself that maybe the tyre place i went to did a bad job, but now i see i'm not alone.......

[Daz'S]

Iv just had new wheels and tyres fitted and im getting a vibration throught the streering wheel at about 50-80mph and when you go over 130 almost hitting 145mph its your pants time.

Daz

[pflowers]

Update, got the wheels re balanced today, maybe a slight improvement but something is still not right. It is most noticeable when the car is cold, I have a feeling it maybe something to do with the steering as it feels like the steering is loose / notchy when you first drive the car from cold. Problem is I am getting so obsessed with the steering wheel when driving I am starting to doubt my own judgement as to what is normal or not.

Please help !

[moorlockx]

For those that have changed rims, did you have the correct centering rings installed? If not, or without them, you'll get a good vibration through the steering.

[pflowers]

Mine are the standard s-lites, I don't need these centering rings do I ??

[pflowers]

I am sure the problem is down to the steering because I can now feel the well documented knock through the wheel when turning at low speeds when cold. It has got to be connected.

[GTmini]

Same here, after I switched to Yoko ES100's...I just had my tires rotated and rebalanced yesterday and it still seems to occur, although I haven't had much time in the car since then. For mine, it's always been a minor shake and didin't seem to affect tracking very much so I've just let it go and figure I'll keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse.

Unfortunately, when rotating my tires yesterday they discovered nails in two different tires, both on my right side in the grooves, right near the inner sidewalls (which is why I never discovered them during my usual tire checks...damn near impossible to see unless you're looking for them and the tires are stopped in just the right position). They wouldn't patch it due to legal liability, so now I might already need to slap down another $500 on new rubber in less than 6 months.

[moorlockx]

>>>Mine are the standard s-lites, I don't need these centering rings do I ??<<<

No, you don't. These come on some aftermarket rims.

[Martin L]

Here's a thought...
It could be because when the cars sitting out overnight the tyres slightly flatspot from sitting in the same position for a long time. This would cause an imbalance in the tyres until the tyres were fully warmed up and returned to there operating shape.

I could be totally wrong though

[pflowers]

Martin L, thanks, could be I suppose. Interestingly have you experienced this problem because I notice you have got major steering issues and my car has today gone in for the very same problem with steering wheel clunks etc only when cold. Could it be connected ??

[Martin L]

Quote: Originally Posted by pflowers

Martin L, thanks, could be I suppose. Interestingly have you experienced this problem because I notice you have got major steering issues and my car has today gone in for the very same problem with steering wheel clunks etc only when cold. Could it be connected ??

Sorry, but I've never experienced a vibrating steering wheel. My car drives perfectly at motorway speeds. It's only at very slow speeds where I have this "knocking" from the steering.
Its a shame that you have similar steering problems to me too. It's getting too common a problem, it's beyond a joke now