Wheel Balance at 70mph

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LS Chazzy J

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Hey guys,

I know this problem has been addressed in a couple threads, however, I have yet to see a firm fix for it.

As stated, and I know others have this problem, the car rides smooth up until about 70, then a small vibration begins in the wheel (and the rest of the car for that matter). From what I can gather, it's mostly dependent on the road surface. I've got some pretty kickass tires on the wheel, (Cooper Touring CS4s -- expensive little bastards...). They're relatively new and balanced well. From other member's descriptions, I'd say my problem is very minor in comparison. Another thing I've noticed is the wheel vibration is more apparent with one hand on the steering wheel in comparison to two hands on the steering wheel. There's next to no vibration with two hands on the steering wheel. Which again, leads me to believe it's not a wheel balancing issue, but of something in the suspension, or maybe rack and pinion? I've had the suspension looked at, and then inspected myself, everything looks in tip-top shape with the exception of a little bit of wear on the swaybar endlinks, but nothing to be concerned about or that would cause a vibration issue.

Anyone had any luck into the research of this issue? Just interested to see if any other members had input. Normally, I'm pretty good at figuring this stuff out, but this problem has me baffled.

Thanks,
CJ
 
I have two LSes, an 04 and an 06. Both have been through multiple sets of tires.
On the 06, I have no problems and have never had any vibration. I hardly, if ever, even rotate the tires on it.

On the 04, there has always been vibration. I can keep it to a minimum by rotating the tires and road-force balancing them every time the vibration increases. At times, it will get really bad in the 65 to 85 MPH range. It gets smoother again above 90 MPH. I have had the suspension checked several times, and have had several alignments (it usually is out of alignment each time). I have checked the tie-rods myself, and can't detect any play at all. There has to be something loose or changing/moving, but I can't find it.
 
If you're running aftermarket wheels it could be either no or the wrong size centering (hub-centric) rings. The LS hub is apparently 64mm so anything bigger will "float" and cause a vibration.
 
had this problem once and went to get it balanced and found out one of my rims were bent, took it in and fixed it asap and problem was good after that. :shifty: I usually don't drive over 35mph but I was on a long distance run when I found out it shakes, and I was like "wtf...whos been driving my car"
 
Thanks, for the input guys. I have checked the tierods and everything is tight as can be. I honestly can't find anything wrong with the suspension...very annoying

The wheels are the stock 17s 7-dual spoke. Previous owner put some nasty road rash on one of them, but the tire balanced out just fine. Not much for aftermarket parts on cars like these. I typically like to keep everything as stock as possible with as many electronics and sensors that are involved on these cars. (you should see some of my other toys though. I have a ridiclous Dakota R/T with over $20K invested it. Built by myself -- 48K original miles)

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it. Hopefully someone will have a definitive answer going forward.
 
I have this same problem but it's inconsistent. The place I bought tires from rebalanced all the tires but one because they claim it's bent. I couldn't see it but they have a trained eye(I hope) so they put that wheel on the right rear. They also told me the both left side tires were missing weights and they believed that that could have cause the problem because I would feel it all over and in the steering wheel. The steering wheel wouldn't shake all the time and would come and go on sweeping turns. I used to know what that meant but I've forgot over the years.

The problem is still there(not as bad) but mostly in the steering wheel now and it still comes and go with speed and in turns.

When I was checking out my shifter to see if a mustang shifter would work(which it will with modification) i noticed two loose bolts on the suspension. I took pictures of them and will load them later but I couldn't tighten them all the way so I don't know if they are supposed to be loose or not.
 
Mechanicboy said:
When I was checking out my shifter to see if a mustang shifter would work(which it will with modification) i noticed two loose bolts on the suspension. I took pictures of them and will load them later but I couldn't tighten them all the way so I don't know if they are supposed to be loose or not.
Click to expand...

If you're talking those two bolts on the sub-frame connectors they are supposed to be "loose". They aren't loose, that's just the way they are supposed to be. That connector is actually for front-end crash protection. Early LSes don't have the connectors. IIRC, they were added sometime in the middle of the 2000 MY run.
 
Mechanicboy said:
...i noticed two loose bolts on the suspension. I took pictures of them and will load them later but I couldn't tighten them all the way so I don't know if they are supposed to be loose or not.
Click to expand...

Don't screw those bolts in. You need to put them back the way they were!
 
joegr said:
Don't screw those bolts in. You need to put them back the way they were!
Click to expand...

I didn't even get half a turn out of them. There is still a gap between the connector and aluminum sub-frame or w/e. Here I'll get a picture in a minute to make sure we're talking about the same thing.
 
0117001247.jpg
 
Just a suggestion many have suggested to me, and I have the similiar problem.

I've heard doing this gets rid of the problem.


Alignment, Rotate, Balance, and make sure the rims are not bent.

Im taking my lincoln in for brand new tires, as well as an alignment, rotate, and balance. I will let you know on Monday night if the problem is gone or still there.


HOOAH!
 
Mechanicboy said:
So those are for crashes and they do what? Why would you want them to remain loose?
Click to expand...

They're not loose. That's just where the bolt seats. They are for front-end crash protection. I believe they keep the passenger compartment from collapsing.
 
I have an 05 and also have a slight 70mph vibe in the steering wheel. I just got the car so I don't know much other than it has the original tires on it. One other thing I notice is a real slight clunk from the front end when I'm backing out of my driveway onto the street, when the front tire comes off the curb. It can also be felt a little through the steering wheel.
 
There's a basic rule on vibration---

If you feel it in the steering wheel, it's in the front.

If you feel it through the seat, it's in the back.

When everything's right, you'll feel rock-steady even at 150+
KS
 
Thanks for all of your inputs guys. I appreciate seeing what other people have going on.

For the most part, I can guarantee that it's not a wheel balance problem. They're much more apparent than the vibration I'm experiencing. It's definitely something suspension related. Unfortunately the whole suspension checks out fine. I worked on cars for about 6 years (until I realized, wow, this will never get me anywhere and is an absolute waste of my brain -- really you just get tired of the same old crap day in and day out -- me personally, no offense to anyone who may be an actual mechanic, just not my cup of tea). As for this weekend, and even this morning, not a single vibration issue. Drove like a champ. It's intermittent and I can not figure it out for the life of me.

Thanks for the all the input.

CJ
 
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