Tires? Balance or Alignment

[monkey44]

Got new tires on TOAD ...

Very slight steering wheel vibration at exactly 25 mph ... not slower or faster mph... Other speeds no vibration all the way to 70 mph.

Would that be balance or alignment?? Or either. Thx M44

I can take it back to installer, which I will, but would like input first ...

[Dutch_12078]

I've had much better luck with balancing beads in my motorhome tires than spin balancing with weights. The beads don't get knocked off and they automatically adjust to changing tire conditions. That said, I have had a bad tire that no amount of balancing could fix a time or two.

[BFL13]

No idea if applies here, but when we had the 5er, there was a thing about how they balanced the 5er tires or didn't bother, for what counted as being in the middle. ISTR about an adapter to their usual balancing thingy for "concentric" or not ?

Probably means nothing for here, but tossing it in anyway.

[monkey44]

Sumatomo Rubber Co. owns Falken and Goodyear ... originally a Japan based company, but now has several plants in USA, along with a USA headquarters ... These specific tires were manufactured in Ohio. Falken also manufactures in the former Cooper Tire plant in Tonawanda NY.

It gets good reviews - but I agree, anyone can get a bad tire or a less trained tech. I'll see what happens Monday ... will either exchange (only once) or balance. I feel I should at least give the installer a chance to make it right. Otherwise, will call Mavis Tires (The parent company of the installers) in NY and hopefully get it resolved.

It's almost minimal enough to ignore, but I worry about it getting worse as the the miles accumulate. This might be less of a problem than I think - well, just because we always think the worst - especially over a weekend without a chat ...

[Gdetrailer]

monkey44 wrote:
Just to clarify - the tires are Falken CT60 A/S - great reviews - installed yesterday. All suspension is fine, inspected at my last service. It only began after the tires were installed, immediately.

Prior to tire change, I drove it in a straight line, hand free. Ran true. Also drove same straight line, hand free after install. In both test drives, it drove straight and true at least a quarter mile. I'm thinking that eliminates alignment, but not positive as I'm not a mechanic.

Steering wheel does not 'wiggle' in only vibrates slightly at that speed, but noticable. In fact, Genie did not even notice it when she drove it home - well drove faster than 25 mph too. But I only drove it later in the day, and noticed it because I was looking for anything unusual at varied speeds.

It's very minor, but I'm afraid it might increase over time, and then be out of warranty. I will call Monday and have a chat - make appointment to have them take a look. I'm just asking you tire knowledgeable guys for a little insight before I have that chat ...

You answered your own question in the text that I bolded..

Take the tires back to where you had them mounted and try a rebalance.

If condition continues, ask for another set at no cost (warranty) or better yet, spend a few more dimes and buy better tires. I suspect you ended up with defective and unbalancable tires..

Big tire manufacturers will often make tires for other companies with a lesser degree of quality. Sears was a good example of that as they had Michelin make their Sears brand tires for many yrs which often had less tread and wore out faster than the more expensive Michelins but at a lower price point. As of 1999 Goodyear is under contract with Falken to make their tires.

[RLS7201]

At that speed it's not a static balance problem, it's a dynamic balance problem or a bad tire. The tires need to be balanced on a dynamic spin balancer.

Richard

[wa8yxm]

Ok causes of vibration
Wheel balance can do it
Wear of steering components and alignment
Tires out of round
U-Joints.

And the famous "Other" but off hand I can't think of any.

[monkey44]

Just to clarify - the tires are Falken CT60 A/S - great reviews - installed yesterday. All suspension is fine, inspected at my last service. It only began after the tires were installed, immediately.

Prior to tire change, I drove it in a straight line, hand free. Ran true. Also drove same straight line, hand free after install. In both test drives, it drove straight and true at least a quarter mile. I'm thinking that eliminates alignment, but not positive as I'm not a mechanic.

Steering wheel does not 'wiggle' in only vibrates slightly at that speed, but noticable. In fact, Genie did not even notice it when she drove it home - well drove faster than 25 mph too. But I only drove it later in the day, and noticed it because I was looking for anything unusual at varied speeds.

It's very minor, but I'm afraid it might increase over time, and then be out of warranty. I will call Monday and have a chat - make appointment to have them take a look. I'm just asking you tire knowledgeable guys for a little insight before I have that chat ...

[opnspaces]

It could be balance but 25 is pretty slow for a balance problem to show up. Usually bad balance starts to show around 45 to 55. But since they are new I would take it back and have them balanced again anyway. Rotating the tires might mask the problem so make sure they put the tires back in the same positions. If the vibration persists then try rotating front to back.

Can you describe the vibration you are feeling? Does it feel like a buzzing type of vibration or does the wheel wiggle side to side? If a buzzing it might be a harmonic from the design of the tire tread.

[Cummins12V98]

Curious what brand are the tires???

[Tvov]

My first thought was similar to time2roll, may not be the tires or wheels at all - check the drivetrain, especially the CV joints.

[Grit_dog]

Just have them re-balanced. 99% chance it’s balance.
If that doesn’t work, could be an out of round tire. But I’d think that would present at more than 1 speed

[time2roll]

In an open safe place have a driver and spotter drive next to you while the issue persists.
Note if the tires are wobbling side to side or up and down. Check both sides. If nothing is seen trade spots with the spotter.

How many miles on the vehicle? Could be a worn ball joint, tie rod or knuckle. In the old days these were inspected as part of an alignment but today they just connect the computer and adjust the toe. Lifting the car may have lodged it from its happy place and it may settle back in after a few hundred miles.

Get under the car and try to move things. All should be tight. Observe all linkage and steering gear while a buddy turns the wheel lock to lock and back and forth.

Also observe for worn or noisy CV joints if equipped.

[monkey44]

Well, new tires installed today ... I was coming down on balance, but want to ask here as many of RV.net guys know more than my 'little bit' about tires ... Will have installed balance again ... and see. If not, will have them put on a new set. Mfgr has a 30 day exchange if you don't like the tires - so will exercise that option if the installer can't settle the vibration.

I'm more worried it will increase if I jsut let it go and skip the 25 mph issue, but no matter, it still means something is amiss with these tires.

An aside: HA, our housing community has a 25 mph speed limit, so of course, we vibrate at 25 mph --- go figure.

[bguy]

Loose wheel/s. Alloys need to be re torqued, sometimes more than once. Could have lost a weight. Some balance machines are better than others.