Been reading up on this issue and haven't found a consensus yet, but I'm happy to be corrected on that. Either way, would love some input.
I'm having this apparently infamous problem now. I'm on 219Ms with Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss. Just came back from having the front tires rebalanced and rear tires replaced. The vibration is better now, but still not gone. It also seems to have moved up the speed range a bit; it used to ramp up and down as I accelerated from 70 to 90, but now it doesn't come in until closer to 80.
Obvious suspect is wheel/tire balance or runout, especially because my winter set (397s with spacers and narrower tires) doesn't seem to have this issue.
I question that not only because the fronts have been rebalanced twice now, but mainly because the vibration comes and goes with little discernible pattern. It could be fine for a while, and then something will get it started, and it won't stop until I leave the critical speed range; next time I re-enter that speed range, maybe it'll come back or maybe it won't.
To me, that seems more like an undamped resonance than an unbalanced wheel. If it were a wheel, would I get the vibration reliably at the same speed regardless of conditions? Could the problem instead be worn bushings or dampers or something? (all original on my car with 106k miles) Maybe the reason it doesn't happen with my winter wheels is that their sizes, weights, and other characteristics are different.
Another thing that makes me suspect suspension: It seems to be a bit better after the car has been in the air. 🤷‍♂️
For reasons I think are obvious, I'm hoping to check as much as I can in my garage before throwing techs or parts at it. Things I plan to check:
- Ball joints
- Tension arm bushings (kind of hoping it's these so I have an excuse to go monoball)
- Any other potential source of play
Anything else I should look at before taking it to a shop? Any guidance would be appreciated!
I'm having this apparently infamous problem now. I'm on 219Ms with Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss. Just came back from having the front tires rebalanced and rear tires replaced. The vibration is better now, but still not gone. It also seems to have moved up the speed range a bit; it used to ramp up and down as I accelerated from 70 to 90, but now it doesn't come in until closer to 80.
Obvious suspect is wheel/tire balance or runout, especially because my winter set (397s with spacers and narrower tires) doesn't seem to have this issue.
I question that not only because the fronts have been rebalanced twice now, but mainly because the vibration comes and goes with little discernible pattern. It could be fine for a while, and then something will get it started, and it won't stop until I leave the critical speed range; next time I re-enter that speed range, maybe it'll come back or maybe it won't.
To me, that seems more like an undamped resonance than an unbalanced wheel. If it were a wheel, would I get the vibration reliably at the same speed regardless of conditions? Could the problem instead be worn bushings or dampers or something? (all original on my car with 106k miles) Maybe the reason it doesn't happen with my winter wheels is that their sizes, weights, and other characteristics are different.
Another thing that makes me suspect suspension: It seems to be a bit better after the car has been in the air. 🤷‍♂️
For reasons I think are obvious, I'm hoping to check as much as I can in my garage before throwing techs or parts at it. Things I plan to check:
- Ball joints
- Tension arm bushings (kind of hoping it's these so I have an excuse to go monoball)
- Any other potential source of play
Anything else I should look at before taking it to a shop? Any guidance would be appreciated!
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