Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What causes steering wheel vibration at highway speeds if I just changed to new tires on my 2005 SUV?

I bought 4 new Goodyear Integrity's tires for my 2005 Toyota Highlander. The tire shop balanced the tires twice since I bought the tires 2 months ago, but I still get the vibration. The tire shop says that the rim is to blame, not the tire because the rim is defective and when the problem is from driving aotand hitting pot holes, etc..... My old tires didn't have any steering wheel vibration issues at highway speeds at all though. Should I go back to the tire shop a 3rd time and ask for a manager?
What causes steering wheel vibration at highway speeds if I just changed to new tires on my 2005 SUV?
Could just be drag (the air pressing on your car) from driving so fast.
What causes steering wheel vibration at highway speeds if I just changed to new tires on my 2005 SUV?
:) I would suggest you get second opinion(s), preferrably from someone not trying to sell you something, OR would be responsile if they screwed up the tire replacement. Also consider contacting th Better Business Bureau.



Hey - my insurance company does vehicle inspections; does yours?
I am thinking little beyond your question: is by any chance you mean that when you apply brake then it vibrate at highway speed or its just vibrate when it goes on high speed. If on brake then get your brake pad changed and if its not on brake then follow these steps one at a time.



First and foremost check the alignment also of the tyre as slight misalignment at highway speed could vobble the tyre.



Secondly: get the wheel balancing from outside, not from the same shop and see. As sometime balancing equipment or guy is faulty but they dont realize and so they dont accept. More than likely this problem is out of balancing.



Thirdly: If still problem persist then do cross rotation of the tyres and check. If this helps you then the tyre was faulty and ask for replacement as there could be little bump or swolleness or mistread in any one or more tyre. As same happened with me. And i discovered that one tyre was having slight swelling in center. You anyways check for this point by yourself. Take a rubber glove and start feeling the tyre base area with your palm and try to notice if there is anything wrong, or if you cannot figure out or feel doubted then your friend second opinion about same as that minor fault is not easy to judge.



Fourth: Check the rim and ask any wheel balancing guy they can fix it too. But this highly unlikely as your old tyres was just fine with it.



Best of luck mate.
There are a few reasons that could cause this condition. Integrity tires are directional. They must be installed a certain way. Check the side of the tires for an emblem that looks like an arrow. The arrow should point over the top of the tire from back to front, or in the direction of rotation when driving forward. A reversed tire will try to wobble. If you have alloy wheels, over tightening the wheel nuts will warp the rim, causing a vibration starting at about 50mph/80kph. The best method to determine the cause is to have your local dealer check it out for reason and cause. It may cost a few bucks, but you will have a real answer to your problem.
YES I WOULD DEFINATELY GO BACK TO THE MANAGER,

OR ROTATE THEM MAYBE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, GOOD LUCK !
could be a belt broke in your tire