Negative camber/wheel & tire balance/steering wheel vibration?

itdnwiwbp · 03-02-2013, 08:51 PM

I got new wheels, tires and coilovers with camber plates installed last month and I've been experiencing a relatively minor steering wheel vibration at highway speeds that increases on grooved concrete and goes away entirely on curves. My mechanic (who installed everything but didn't do the alignment/corner balance) told me to start by checking wheel/tire balance as I figured he would. I just wanted to see if other's running a significant amount of negative camber (I have -2.9 up front, -2.4 in the rear) ever experience any unusual steering wheel vibration that was due to the camber, not incorrect balancing because I'm going back to the shop that mounted the tires and I'd like them to check it out for free. It has been over 30 days (but less than 500 miles - I only dragged my feet because I prefer my car to be handled by as few people as possible and only people I explicitly trust) so I'm not sure if they will but I just don't want to be told that it's because of the other components I have installed just so they don't have to mess with it.

seank · 03-02-2013, 10:09 PM

The tires need to be rebalanced. Was the vibration there immediately after they were balanced? Or a week or so later?

Did your tire pressure sensors switch over well or did you set them on a round wheel?

It is the wheels and tires. I have never heard of an issue due to camber.

Finnegan · 03-02-2013, 10:24 PM

^This

itdnwiwbp · 03-03-2013, 08:50 AM

Thanks, guys. That's what I figured. Yeah, the vibration was there immediately and there was no problem with the pressure sensors.

Incompatible · 03-03-2013, 01:27 PM

Two less likely possibilities: tire out of round (more than usual) or a manufacturing defect involving an internal belt.

AUTOX08MC · 03-05-2013, 08:53 AM

I have the same issue, everything checks out repeatedly, varies by surface of the road...don't know what causes it....stopped chasing it

itdnwiwbp · 03-05-2013, 10:57 AM

In my "Today officially sucks..." thread I detail what happened. It took three tries and caused quite a bit of damage to my car (indirectly) but the tires are now balanced.

O-cha · 04-03-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUTOX08MC

I have the same issue, everything checks out repeatedly, varies by surface of the road...don't know what causes it....stopped chasing it

The Ms are EXTREMELY sensitive to balance. You should also check your tires for cupping on the inner edge. You really need the car up in the air and feel it with your hand.

03-02-2013, 08:51 PM	#1
itdnwiwbp Major 79 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Negative camber/wheel & tire balance/steering wheel vibration? I got new wheels, tires and coilovers with camber plates installed last month and I've been experiencing a relatively minor steering wheel vibration at highway speeds that increases on grooved concrete and goes away entirely on curves. My mechanic (who installed everything but didn't do the alignment/corner balance) told me to start by checking wheel/tire balance as I figured he would. I just wanted to see if other's running a significant amount of negative camber (I have -2.9 up front, -2.4 in the rear) ever experience any unusual steering wheel vibration that was due to the camber, not incorrect balancing because I'm going back to the shop that mounted the tires and I'd like them to check it out for free. It has been over 30 days (but less than 500 miles - I only dragged my feet because I prefer my car to be handled by as few people as possible and only people I explicitly trust) so I'm not sure if they will but I just don't want to be told that it's because of the other components I have installed just so they don't have to mess with it. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-02-2013, 10:09 PM	#2
seank enthusiast 48 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: e30 m3,e90 wagon,sprinter,z4m Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: sacramento, ca iTrader: (4)	The tires need to be rebalanced. Was the vibration there immediately after they were balanced? Or a week or so later? Did your tire pressure sensors switch over well or did you set them on a round wheel? It is the wheels and tires. I have never heard of an issue due to camber.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2013, 10:24 PM	#3
Finnegan Dog Listener 703 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	^This
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2013, 08:50 AM	#4
itdnwiwbp Major 79 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Thanks, guys. That's what I figured. Yeah, the vibration was there immediately and there was no problem with the pressure sensors. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2013, 01:27 PM	#5
Incompatible Major 55 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 07 AW Z4C 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Two less likely possibilities: tire out of round (more than usual) or a manufacturing defect involving an internal belt. __________________ If you can't take the time to teach a kid something good, someone will take the time to teach them something bad.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2013, 08:53 AM	#6
AUTOX08MC Private 3 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 16 M4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (1)	I have the same issue, everything checks out repeatedly, varies by surface of the road...don't know what causes it....stopped chasing it __________________ 2016 BMW M4 MW 6SPD,2005 Honda S2000 2014 Subaru STI (Sold),2008 BMW Z4 MC (Sold) 2012 VW GTI (Sold),2006 Subaru STI (Sold) 2003 Subaru WRX (Sold),1996 Mustang Cobra (Sold) 1986 Dodge Shelby Charger (Sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2013, 10:57 AM	#7
itdnwiwbp Major 79 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	In my "Today officially sucks..." thread I detail what happened. It took three tries and caused quite a bit of damage to my car (indirectly) but the tires are now balanced. __________________ Last edited by itdnwiwbp; 09-01-2013 at 11:14 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote