- It could be a wheel balance problem. Typically, when you buy new tires or wheels, imperfections with manufacturing or assembly may make it hard to get the tires balanced all the way around. Wherever the imbalance is, you are counterbalancing that amount of imbalance by corresponding weight -- as little as a quarter ounce of weight can be put on a wheel and tire to correct the imbalance. Potentially, the weight could have fallen off the wheel or migrated an inch or two around the rim. When that happens, it can cause even a little bit of a vibration that can be felt through the steering wheel.
- There are two types of weight. One is a tape on weight (figure A) that is typically found on mag wheels. If the area where the weight is taped on was not cleaned properly, the weight can fall off.
- On steel wheels, you have factory rims (figure B) that are made out of stamped steel and the weights are put on with a hammer. The rims have a clip on the backside and the weights actually bite onto the rim. If the weights move off the proper point, or fall off, it can create a wheel balancing problem.
- Your ball joint (figure C) can wear out and the looseness could cause a vibration at higher speed. A tie rod has a smaller ball and socket and works with the steering control and it could be worn out.
- Your tire pressure could be a factor. It will not likely cause a vibration, but over inflated tires will magnify any vibrations.
- The ball joint is located underneath and behind the wheel (figure D) at the base of the suspension. As it gets worn, there is an opportunity for the ball joint to have movement and it won't cause vibration by itself; but if you are going over irregularities in the road and the ball joint is worn, you get some clunking and free space and the wheel can get some extra movement you would feel through the steering wheel. You can check it by raising the vehicle up on a jack stand and rest the vehicle on the chassis. Your wheel is then free weight and you can take a jack handle and push up on the tire and wheel. If there were any movement in the ball joint, you would know you have a worn ball joint.
RESOURCES :
Dye Ink, Alcohol Ink
Ranger Industries, Inc.
Website: www.rangerink.com
Bend-Pak, Inc.
Website: www.bendpak.com
Tires
BFS Retail and Commercial Operations
Bloomingdale, IL 93060
Phone: 630-259-9000
Website: www.mastercareusa.com
Jasper Engines and Transmissions
PO Box 650
Jasper, IN 47547-0650
Toll-free: 800-827-7455
E-mail: sales@jasperengines.com
Website: www.jasperengines.com
Safe Young Drivers: A Guide for Parents and Teens
1889324035
Phil Berardelli
(November 1996)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Nautilus Communications, Inc.
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