Need advice on fighting the dreaded steering wheel vibration

[Hickster]

Nothing.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Drove for 45 minutes before work. Was able to cruise at various speeds between 80-90 mph, smooth as butter. Here are my tire temps when I got back and it was 57 degrees out. I mentioned some road noise when at 85 mph vs 75 mph in an earlier thread, but this morning was smooth throughout the 80 mph band. Have a great day all.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Been about 3,100 miles or so since last rotation and balance. Started noticing vibration/road force at 80 mph again. Took to tire shop for rotation and balance. Tech said all were slightly off balance. Drove and smooth again at 80 mph. Perhaps these heavy cars require more upkeep on tire balancing? All is smooth again...maybe my canyon runs are a contributing factor?

 

[Jimmy N.]

First: Are your tires being balance correctly, with Smart Weight disabled?

Second: We both know that commercial use is hard on tires (taxis are considered commercial).

Third: Unless you get noticeable feathering on the outside shoulders, the canyon runs shouldn't affect balance.

And lastly: While unlikely with a full load of paying passengers, check if the rear tires have moved on the rims.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

First: Are your tires being balance correctly, with Smart Weight disabled?

Second: We both know that commercial use is hard on tires (taxis are considered commercial).

Third: Unless you get noticeable feathering on the outside shoulders, the canyon runs shouldn't affect balance.

And lastly: While unlikely with a full load of paying passengers, check if the rear tires have moved on the rims.

Not sure on smart weight...but they did roadforce balance 2 of the 4 when I got the PS4s. I asked about roadforcing again if needed, but they said something to the affect that isn't necessary as they were done initially.

Not my area of expertise, but all is smooth again. Should it last more than 3,000 miles?

 

[Jimmy N.]

Yes, the balance should last more than 3,000 miles.

You may want to find a better tire store if that one told you that road force balancing isn't needed if it's been done once.
Also, why on earth road force balance only two out of four??!?

Anyway, the Smart Weight setting is a "close enough" balance that saves the store time, and a few balance weights, but it's not a correct balance.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Yes, the balance should last more than 3,000 miles.

You may want to find a better tire store if that one told you that road force balancing isn't needed if it's been done once.
Also, why on earth road force balance only two out of four??!?

Anyway, the Smart Weight setting is a "close enough" balance that saves the store time, and a few balance weights, but it's not a correct balance.

It is a chain called American's Tire. Oh well, I will see how long it lasts this time. Will definitely insist on something different next time. Thanks @Jimmy N. Appreciate the help.

 

[vortecd]

Been about 3,100 miles or so since last rotation and balance. Started noticing vibration/road force at 80 mph again. Took to tire shop for rotation and balance. Tech said all were slightly off balance. Drove and smooth again at 80 mph. Perhaps these heavy cars require more upkeep on tire balancing? All is smooth again...maybe my canyon runs are a contributing factor?

I have never had an issue like yours with 3 different chargers and a challenger where I had a tire vibration

 

[Prange]

The only times I've noticed a vibration issue is when I've rotated the tires. Not horrendous, but noticeable.

 

[Hunter]

I had it with cheaper aftermarket wheels. Got some good ones @TRIUMPH and problem was solved (for me).

 

[Slowpoke387]

I have never had an issue like yours with 3 different chargers and a challenger where I had a tire vibration

My 2016 Hellcat did it and my 2020 Redeye WB does it. Annoying.

 

[Hunter]

It was my 16 Challenger HC that had it with aftermarket wheels

 

[Prange]

I had it with cheaper aftermarket wheels. Got some good ones @TRIUMPH and problem was solved (for me).

That's one of the reasons I've always been gun-shy of the aftermarket wheels. I have had aftermarkets for a few of my past winter set-ups. They worked out ok.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

I have never had an issue like yours with 3 different chargers and a challenger where I had a tire vibration

Perhaps vibration is too strong. You can feel the "road" through the steering wheel at around 80 mph (in my case). Not sure why, but my tires need balancing at every rotation or it comes back. Now all is good. Stock wheels with PS4S.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I had it with cheaper aftermarket wheels.

In an ideal world, both the wheel and the tire would be near perfect. But then there's real life.

Having a wheel that isn't perfect can be very helpful when match balancing, using the two discrepancies to cancel each other out, which can be much easier than balancing a so-so tire on a perfect wheel.

Unfortunately, finding an operator than takes full advantage of what a Hunter road force machine can do is the hard part.