Had wheels balanced for the second time and vibration still exists!?

[tbone1989]

This is getting very annoying. I have 18 inch Karthoums with Goodyear Eagle GTs with decent tread on them still. Had them balanced on a regular machine and then just had them balanced on a road force balance machine and the vibration still exists. Car has 28,000 and is used for 90% highway driving. Any ideas here?

[rudyruns]

This is getting very annoying. I have 18 inch Karthoums with Goodyear Eagle GTs with decent tread on them still. Had them balanced on a regular machine and then just had them balanced on a road force balance machine and the vibration still exists. Car has 28,000 and is used for 90% highway driving. Any ideas here?

Are these the original wheels from new? Ive had a slight vibe issue on my GLI on 18" barthursts. Been back twice to have dealer rebalance and it won't go away. Its annoying. I wonder if the wheels aren't true...

[gemsky]

I can vouch for the same issue. (Steering Wheel Vibration)

I just picked up a '12 SE and upgraded from stock to 18x8 235-40/18.

I noticed a vibration at around 65 mph and went back and had the wheels and tires re-balanced.

Now the same vibration still exists but has shifted to 60 mph and then tapers off when driving faster.

I am still trying to figure out what is happening.



Theory: the overall wheel/tire height has gone up by about 1/2" from stock. This will affect the camber ever so slightly. So maybe the camber is causing the vibration at those specific speeds.

Anyone else has any insight?

[tbone1989]

I traded for these wheel with another forum member. The guy said he didn't put many miles on them and the tires drove fine. Im hoping for an issue with the tires and not something more serious. I plan on putting the stock 16's back on and seeing if the vibration is still there.

[kDubya_SE]

I traded for these wheel with another forum member. The guy said he didn't put many miles on them and the tires drove fine. Im hoping for an issue with the tires and not something more serious. I plan on putting the stock 16's back on and seeing if the vibration is still there.

Do they need centering rings?

[tbone1989]

No, they are oem vw wheels, with center bore of 57.1

[gti rt]

For those that have had their wheels re-balanced. Did they use 2 wheel weights? or did they just use 1?

[Maximilium]

I had a similar issue once, it turn out to be a damaged wheel.

[gemsky]

For those that have had their wheels re-balanced. Did they use 2 wheel weights? or did they just use 1?

I believe just one. why?

[tbone1989]

I had a similar issue once, it turn out to be a damaged wheel.

What did they use to determine that?

[CaptVwagen]

I've had four cars with 18" oem vw wheels and the wheels on three of them, including my '12 GLI, become bent over time from hitting bumps and potholes. I think the metal is just soft and the low profile sidewalls provide little protection for the rims. The first time the dealer said the wheels needed to be straightened and that solved the problem in no time but it was $300 for two and it just happened again. Now I just live with it and drive as careful as I can... in a GLI.

[gti rt]

I believe just one. why?

To do a proper balance there should usually be 2 weights used. 1 on the outside and 1 on the inside. sometimes guys like to cheat and do a static balance and use 1 weight on the inside. this can cause vibrations at higher speeds.

I've worked on plenty of vw's and audi's at work and have seen my fair share of bent rims. My bet though is its a bent front rim.

[King Schwab]

I have this same issue. Right at 65 I get speed wobbles. Im going back today to get a run out to see if there are any imperfections and to make sure they are using the correct cone when balancing. I've had the wheels balanced 5 times and yes I have hubcentric rings.

[Maximilium]

To do a proper balance there should usually be 2 weights used. 1 on the outside and 1 on the inside. sometimes guys like to cheat and do a static balance and use 1 weight on the inside. this can cause vibrations at higher speeds.

I've worked on plenty of vw's and audi's at work and have seen my fair share of bent rims. My bet though is its a bent front rim.

+1

[pbarrettvw]

To do a proper balance there should usually be 2 weights used. 1 on the outside and 1 on the inside. sometimes guys like to cheat and do a static balance and use 1 weight on the inside. this can cause vibrations at higher speeds.

I've worked on plenty of vw's and audi's at work and have seen my fair share of bent rims. My bet though is its a bent front rim.

+ 2

Bent wheel is almost an absolute. If you have balanced twice it is not likely that both time they were improperly balanced. Easy way to test remove wheels and put different ones on, or rotate wheels and see is the shimmy move to the back. Many times bent wheels on the back will be almost un noticable. Bent wheels can usually be reapired by any local wheel repair place.

Hope this helps you resolve your issue

Paul Barrett

[tbone1989]

UPDATE: Had a different shop road force balance them. They are fine now, but wow. Talk about expensive.

[Flyin18T]

I had a similar issue once, it turn out to be a damaged wheel.

+1

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[tbone1989]

+1

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Well to avoid that ever happening, forged wheels are on my list.

[King Schwab]

Had wheels balanced on a Hunter Roadforce. Problem solved. Seems strange the older model worked better than the new laser guided high speed balancer.

[erick295]

This has happened to me before, and it turned out to be cupped tires.

It does help to go to a good shop though. You get what you pay for. Balancing is an art.