Wheel vibration when running at >78 mph

[johntomferg]

I figure this is just a front end alignment issue, but if you guys think it may be something else from your experience I'd be interested in your thoughts. I just finished a trip from SC to AL most of the way was >70 but I noticed if I kept it above 78 that the amount of vibration transmitted to the steering wheel was pretty high... but it wasn't gradual, seemed to kick in right about 77-78. Car was still straight ahead on the road, didn't feel unsafe, just a lot more vibration on the wheel. And below 75 car is smooth as silk (or the roadhole, whatever the case may be) Thanks in advance.

 

[eastcoastLS]

i got a 2000 ls8 with 79 thousand on it and i'm noticing the same thing considering i go from fla to nc alot but its more like when i get up to high 80's and up. idk the problem either so if someone out there would key me in

 

[HyeLifeLS]

The tires are bad or you need to rebalance em. I just changed my 2 front tires and I don't have any kind of vibrations although I run 20s.

 

[PM80]

Bent rim

 

[GrayGhost1]

If you are running aftermarket rims you may need some hub-centric rings for the rims. It is hard to get the rims "lug" centric. The OEM wheels seem to be better at that but the aftermarket wheels need those rings.

 

[lseguy]

First thing to do, is have the wheels balanced, particularly the fronts. Any decent shop can tell you if a rim is bent when they perform the balancing.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

Or it's the notorious "tire nibble" issue...

 

[GrayGhost1]

Or it's the notorious "tire nibble" issue...

Oh, now that is a bad word. I have been wrestling with this for the past month. I'm heading to a place that has the Hunter Road Force balancer this week. I'm hoping that will cure the problem.

 

[chocolat1701]

i have that same issue and the dealership had to replace the actual rim, said that the rim had a defect on it and no matter what they did it could not be balanced, they replaced the rim and problem is gone

 

[eastcoastLS]

i got firestone firehawks on my stock sport 17's on a 2000 8 cylnder and my rim is definately not bent but they may need to be balanced also. roughly how long do tires last (miles) ?mine got alot i know that much

 

[johntomferg]

Thanks guys, they are the stock rims - I'll try to get them balanced this week before I head back to SC and report back.

 

[johntomferg]

Thanks guys, they are the stock rims - I'll try to get them balanced this week before I head back to SC and report back.

All is good - balance corrected the problem. Thanks for the replies.

 

[DLS8K]

All is good - balance corrected the problem. Thanks for the replies.

You will also notice a vibration in the wheel if the tires are not wearing evenly. But if the balance solved your problem, I would say congrats. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get the alignment looked at as well as your tires tread depthed so you can see how they are wearing out.