Discussion
Hi having recently had 4 new tyres fitted as the tracking was out and had a tear in one that I hadn't noticed, I noticed a vibration at speed. The independent fitter I have used for a long time re balanced all of the wheels but the problem persisted.
I changed the rear tyres again but it was still there, have just changed the front two as well, so I have 4 new spares!
Problem still exists, only at 90mph and above, I'm guessing that one of the wheels is not true, possibly caused by the fitters, but I'll never be able to prove it, no damage can be seen on the wheels but the fitter on Sunday did say one of the fronts had a wobble.
Tyres are apparently only balanced to 80 mph which is why I'm guessing that it only now shows at 90.
I know that most people would say don't drive above 90 and it won't be a problem!!
The price for a new wheel is 750 plus vat for the fronts,
The car is stable at speed other than the vibration which is noticeable but not a problem otherwise.
I'm guessing I will have to get a new wheel shortly but just wondering if anyone else has had a cracked or bent wheel
Car is 2013 cls sw bi turbo.
I changed the rear tyres again but it was still there, have just changed the front two as well, so I have 4 new spares!
Problem still exists, only at 90mph and above, I'm guessing that one of the wheels is not true, possibly caused by the fitters, but I'll never be able to prove it, no damage can be seen on the wheels but the fitter on Sunday did say one of the fronts had a wobble.
Tyres are apparently only balanced to 80 mph which is why I'm guessing that it only now shows at 90.
I know that most people would say don't drive above 90 and it won't be a problem!!
The price for a new wheel is 750 plus vat for the fronts,
The car is stable at speed other than the vibration which is noticeable but not a problem otherwise.
I'm guessing I will have to get a new wheel shortly but just wondering if anyone else has had a cracked or bent wheel
Car is 2013 cls sw bi turbo.
Charlie, I really do sympathise here as I've had plenty of similar nightmares with balancing wheels - it took 2 sets of tyres, numerous balancing attempts and other work to sort my current SLS out. My previous SLS was only happy when the wheels were Hunter Roadforce balanced and the first of my two F13 BMW M6's I could never get sorted.
I doubt your problem is to do with a bent wheel because you'd have had the problem before you changed the tyres. It's also unlikely to be the tyres given you've gone through a couple of sets so it has to be balancing. I'm not sure what it is but I think big wheels are inherently difficult to balance at high speeds. And given I've not been the first owner of any of the aforementioned cars, I can only assume other people either don't know the wobble exists or it doesn't bother them. Frustrates the hell out of me!
Anyway, I have a potential solution although I admit I have no actual experience of these guys other than speaking to them on the phone. But they made the right noises, sounded like they knew what they were talking about and they were going to be my next port of call had Mercedes not successfully sorted my SLS out at the final hour:
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/our-services/wheel-bala...
They reckon that by balancing the wheels on the car, they can address any slight imbalances on the whole axle such as brake discs, driveshafts etc. Definitely worth a go and if you do try them, let us know how you get on!
I doubt your problem is to do with a bent wheel because you'd have had the problem before you changed the tyres. It's also unlikely to be the tyres given you've gone through a couple of sets so it has to be balancing. I'm not sure what it is but I think big wheels are inherently difficult to balance at high speeds. And given I've not been the first owner of any of the aforementioned cars, I can only assume other people either don't know the wobble exists or it doesn't bother them. Frustrates the hell out of me!
Anyway, I have a potential solution although I admit I have no actual experience of these guys other than speaking to them on the phone. But they made the right noises, sounded like they knew what they were talking about and they were going to be my next port of call had Mercedes not successfully sorted my SLS out at the final hour:
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/our-services/wheel-bala...
They reckon that by balancing the wheels on the car, they can address any slight imbalances on the whole axle such as brake discs, driveshafts etc. Definitely worth a go and if you do try them, let us know how you get on!
Charliesum said:
Cheers palmnuts.(previous forum!)
I have emailed them and will see what happens.
I do think it's balancing as it only happens above the speed the wheels are balanced to (80mph!Max)
I do seem to have a lot of weights on the wheels now......
Firstly, there is no such thing as balancing to a speed. The wheels are either balanced or not. If it is only evident at higher speeds, it might point to the issue being on a rear wheel rather than front.I have emailed them and will see what happens.
I do think it's balancing as it only happens above the speed the wheels are balanced to (80mph!Max)
I do seem to have a lot of weights on the wheels now......
Next, on car balancing should not at all be necessary. At best it will just mask a problem that is coming from somewhere other than the wheel. In the 80s OC balancers were quite common but most equipment manufacturers phased them out years ago, in almost all first world markets. I haven't seen one of them in the UK for years.
If you have a significantly out of true wheel, balancing won't help. The vibration is being caused by the oscillation of the wheel, not imbalance. Its pretty easy to jack the car up and rotate each wheel to see if you have a buckle. At worst take each off and spin on a blancer to see. If you have a buckle, change the wheel, or get it straightened, if you must. It will only get worse as the tyre suffers from the oscillation.
Finally, although not impossible, it seems unlikely that a fitter could buckle a wheel fitting tyres, these days. More likely the result of pothole impact which is highlighted by fitting new tyres.
Update.....
Visited harwoods Aston Martin today where a good friend is sales manager,
I mentioned to him the problem and before I knew it he had the keys off me and the car was up on the ramps with wheels off.
One wheel was 85g too much weight, all wheels out on balancing.
All 4 wheels newly re balanced for the 5th time!
Car now drives straight true no wobbles no vibration, no bull shxte.
Grand cost £18
But I seem to have been convinced to test drive a DBS...the sound!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure it's going to cost me a little bit more than £18 and my friend knows it!!!
Anyone want my abarth 500? Must be the first to trade one for a DBS.
Oh and Palmball vibration free didn't return my email.
Visited harwoods Aston Martin today where a good friend is sales manager,
I mentioned to him the problem and before I knew it he had the keys off me and the car was up on the ramps with wheels off.
One wheel was 85g too much weight, all wheels out on balancing.
All 4 wheels newly re balanced for the 5th time!
Car now drives straight true no wobbles no vibration, no bull shxte.
Grand cost £18
But I seem to have been convinced to test drive a DBS...the sound!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure it's going to cost me a little bit more than £18 and my friend knows it!!!
Anyone want my abarth 500? Must be the first to trade one for a DBS.
Oh and Palmball vibration free didn't return my email.
I'm not getting rid of the cls!!!!
It's a DBS what else can I say... Scared the hell out of me when I hit 5000rpm outside goodwood on a damp side road
I was like driving miss daisy !!! And my cls is comfortably pushing 700+ bhp this thing was ALIVE
Anyone want a abarth ?????
It's a DBS what else can I say... Scared the hell out of me when I hit 5000rpm outside goodwood on a damp side road
I was like driving miss daisy !!! And my cls is comfortably pushing 700+ bhp this thing was ALIVE
Anyone want a abarth ?????
Edited by Charliesum on Saturday 11th October 23:52
Disappointing that vibration free couldn't be bothered returning emails - business must be good! Can't understand business, especially small ones, that operate this way. Anyway, I can't vouch for their work and it was just a possible option however great news it's not needed now! Which Aston dealer managed to get your wheels balanced successfully as I may keep them in mind if I come across a balancing issues in future?
Whilst I'm sure it would've felt a lot rawer and louder, I can't imagine a DBS would be any quicker than a bi turbo CLS, let alone one mapped to 700hp! I would love an Aston but I just know the build quality would drive me nuts...and that's why I like my AMG's - a bit of craziness but still underpinned by Merc standards.
Whilst I'm sure it would've felt a lot rawer and louder, I can't imagine a DBS would be any quicker than a bi turbo CLS, let alone one mapped to 700hp! I would love an Aston but I just know the build quality would drive me nuts...and that's why I like my AMG's - a bit of craziness but still underpinned by Merc standards.
Hi Palmball
Vibration free returned my email today with an apology for lateness.
The DBS was a lovely car, and yes I am looking at it seriously, but I'm not used to spending that sort of money on a second car.
The cls is great and I'm in for it for a further 2years due to the pcp and the fact I love it!
I was looking at upgrading from the abarth which makes me want to drive it like I stole it every time I get in it.
I nearly bought a vantage 550 supercharged a few years ago but have strayed from the fold
The DBS at 5000rpm needs a lot of respect, a bit like the old Honda vtec coming online, definitely not one for a wet road.
But possibly the first car I wouldn't have to drive quickly..........
Vibration free returned my email today with an apology for lateness.
The DBS was a lovely car, and yes I am looking at it seriously, but I'm not used to spending that sort of money on a second car.
The cls is great and I'm in for it for a further 2years due to the pcp and the fact I love it!
I was looking at upgrading from the abarth which makes me want to drive it like I stole it every time I get in it.
I nearly bought a vantage 550 supercharged a few years ago but have strayed from the fold
The DBS at 5000rpm needs a lot of respect, a bit like the old Honda vtec coming online, definitely not one for a wet road.
But possibly the first car I wouldn't have to drive quickly..........
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