High speed vibration

[Snakespeed]

Any body know about "high speed balancing"? A friend of mine (he's OK, even though he drives an Integra) told me about it, because I bought some brand-new Helo 17s w/tires and I get vibration from 55-65 mph., even though I just had rotate, balancing and alignment done to try and get rid of it. I'm going to get some 5zigen's after I put bodykit on, but I'm still curious if this has happened to any of you guys since my girlfriend wants them when I get new ones. Is she going to have the same problem?

[pgt892]

When you said high speed, I assumed 100MPH+, but "high" is a relative term. For me a good alignment usually solves the 65MPH vibrations.

[Sayre]

I had aftermarket wheels on my 89 240. Had to have them balanced on the car to cure the shakes. It takes a specialized machine and not every shop has them. Might help.

[SmithSR]

When you said high speed, I assumed 100MPH+, but "high" is a relative term. For me a good alignment usually solves the 65MPH vibrations.

Alignment has no effect whatsoever on shake/shimmy/vibration, nor does it deal with spring rates. Alignment and vibration problems are two different worlds. Abnormal/accelerated tire wear, steering wander/pull to one side or the other are the demons of poor alignment. Re-alignment will not fix a vibration.

Improper balance is a speed-sensitive issue. Meaning, that only at certain speeds will the vibration arise. Other possibile culprits are improper mounting of aftermarket rims without using hub-centric rings, out of round tire/tread separation, bent wheel, low tire inflation, bad road, or any combination of these...

[bj180sx]

Question did he ad camber adjustments to compensate for the larger tires and rims? If not then then that could be his problem. As well as stupid stuff like cutting the springs.

[SmithSR]

Camber adj moves the tire on an axis centering at the wheel hub, increasing or decreasing tire contact patch(if ya know what I mean). Excessive camber will result in acclerated tire wear, not vibration at specific speeds. However, I'll agree that if he chopped the springs and is riding on OEM struts that are blown, his car will be a hoppin down the highway. Again, still not just at 55-65mph, it would be doin the chop shop hop at all speeds. His problem is most likely a wheel/tire/imbalance issue.

[Snakespeed]

Thanks guys. I haven't lowered the car yet-waiting 'til I get the new wheels, and when I do I'll be getting TEIN aftermarket springs and a camber kit. Sounds like I really just need to go balance them somewhere else like a second opinion from doctors. P.S.- At 100 mph the car rides smoother than any other speed.

[Dori Dori]

Also, if the wheels are balanced fine and the tires are OK (don't assume they are b/c they are new...try moving your fronts to the back and see if the vibration decreases), there are two other problems I can think of that can cause this.

1. Tension rod bushings. I had a nasty sheering wheel shimmy and vibration that went away after I swapped out my tension rods.

2. Your wheels. They're probably not hubcentric for Nissan and you may need a wheel spacer. Call the manufacturer of the wheel for your hub size to figure out what spacer you'll need. Tirerack can help you on this one too.

[Snakespeed]

Thanks for that info. I wasn't awre of the "hubcentricity" (is that a word? sounds good to me) problem. That might be it.

[Dori Dori]

Lol, no that's not a word I don't think. Actually, I meant to space the two...it's hub centric.:oface

Remember, make sure your tires are ok before you go buying new stuff. Rotate the wheels or something (unless they are offset).

[Meantime]

I had aftermarket wheels on my 89 240. Had to have them balanced on the car to cure the shakes. It takes a specialized machine and not every shop has them. Might help.

I believe that's called dynamic balancing, and you're right, there are not many shops that do it anymore.

BTW, like your avatar...Bill the Cat rules.

[Snakespeed]

Don't know if you guys will see this thread anymore, but I increased the psi 4 pounds in each tire and voila!... Vibration is almost completely gone, just a little in the steering wheel right at 60 mph, other than that it's smooth as can be. Weird.

[SmithSR]

low tire inflation, bad road, or any combination of these...

Glad you fixed the problem...people often forget to check tire pressure, thinking that if it ain't flat, then it's working just fine.

[Snakespeed]

Yeah, they were not low, I usually run tires at about 33 psi but increasing these to 37 psi helped tremendously. cheapest solution to any problem I've had. Just something to try before you try rebalancing or anything like that.

[Exar-Kun]

dynamic balancing is not "on the car" on the car balancing is called "on the car balalncing"

dynamic ballancing is using the weight on opposite rim edges of the wheel for the best ballance.

if you needed more air to smooth out the ride, whatever tire you got has a really soft sidewall...-chet

[Ceptos]

dont think anyone mentioned these, but might as well get your bearings and ball joints looked at.