bogeyman Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Having fitted some new alloys to my car, I am suffering from a slight wheel wobble at speeds over 55 mph. These wheels are the same size as the standard fit ones I removed (14" dia x 6" width) with the same tyres as fitted on the old wheels, balanced properly etc. The car was reset for geometry by Dr Bones (pre-new wheels) and handled superbly on the stock rims. This problem has only showed itself immediately after fitting the new wheels. There is slight damage to all wheels, some have very minor kerbing, one has a slightly deformed fold in the side wall. Can the wobble be explained by a flat spotted wheel? Is there any check in place to confirm this other than visual? By the way, these wheels are lightweight Watanabe jap wheels, 3 piece split rims (strictly speaking now 2 piece as the inner and outer parts have been welded). They are not replaceable easily - rare as rocking horse poo. I'm fairly sure they are alloy, but many were made with Magnesium, so I cannot confirm the material used. I'm almost tempted to put the standard alloys back on, the handling and ride over 55mph have both been affected by the swap of wheels. The reason they are still on is because at speeds lower than 55mph the car handles far better due to the lighter unprung mass, and ride isn't compromised. Therefore any help or solutions will be gratefully received. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDIPLC Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I'd be tempted to check the wheel run outs first Tom, the re-check the balance at a different company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Get them rebalanced by someone with a stud plate, doing it through the spigot can be hit and miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Cheers chaps. It does seem to be a balancing issue. I'm going to check the nuts tonight too, see if they are still on nice and tight. The bloke who fitted the old tyres to the wheels put the wheel balancing weights on the inside rim, i was hoping they would do it properly and fit them centrally and stuck on. What is the wheel run out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Another common cause on older cars is play in that area. GEt the car on a jack and wiggle side to side and top to bottom to check for play in the trackrods / steeringrack / hub bearing et al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Another common cause on older cars is play in that area. GEt the car on a jack and wiggle side to side and top to bottom to check for play in the trackrods / steeringrack / hub bearing et al. Will do, although it seems strange the steering/suspension components would start to fail as soon as the new wheels went on. The car was behaving perfectly with no strange noises/play prior to the new wheels going on. The car will be jacked up tonight for some fettling and hopefully some answers to my questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 It would be unfortunate timing but i've seen worse! My boost controller failed around 2 minutes after I fixed a boost leak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam@TDi Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 What is the wheel run out? To see if the wheel is buckled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 What is the wheel run out? To see if the wheel is buckled Cheers I know what you mean about unfortunate timing...things seem to break on my cars when I have just settled a sale...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 A damaged rim would allow vibration much lower in the speed range. Are you sure the rims are ok without spigot rings? it yes then balance on a studded plate would be absolute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thats another good point, the new wheels have a greater hub radius bore than the old stock rims. I think spigots might cure my problems; are there any online etailers that sell spigot rings or are they quite specific? Heres to hoping it's that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thats another good point, the new wheels have a greater hub radius bore than the old stock rims. I think spigots might cure my problems; are there any online etailers that sell spigot rings or are they quite specific? Heres to hoping it's that Reads like the wheels are not hub-centric. Halfords sell a good range of rings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammy Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Thats another good point, the new wheels have a greater hub radius bore than the old stock rims. I think spigots might cure my problems; are there any online etailers that sell spigot rings or are they quite specific? Heres to hoping it's that :rolleyes_anim: Reads like the wheels are not hub-centric. Halfords sell a good range of rings! ive had this probblem when i put a set of multi fit 5 spokes from a ford on to a vw...the center hole was the size of the ford hub and like tony say's the wheel's were not hub centric.my wheels were made by TSW and had to get the spigot ring's direct from them..only cost a score[£20] so wasnt to bad.once got them on the car was a dream again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 A trip to Halfords is in order :rolleyes_anim: Out of interest, what is the best method of measuring the bore sizes? Tape measure when the wheel is off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 A trip to Halfords is in order :rolleyes_anim: Out of interest, what is the best method of measuring the bore sizes? Tape measure when the wheel is off? You need a vernier gauge really... But some simple maths between the wheel and the hub diameter will suffice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Halfords are a bunch of monkeys, they didn't even know what a Spigot ring was.. A trip to a proper wheel shop returned favourable results, and 4 new spigot rings... although I did happen to take the only wheel off the car with a great big screw sticking out of it for measurement...had to get that repaired too, still better safe than sorry. Fitted the wheels and spigots and the vibration has completed disappeared, although I have not tried the car on a motorway yet, which should return more accurate findings. Still, thanks for the advice guys - i'm back to happy motoring again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Halfords are a bunch of monkeys, they didn't even know what a Spigot ring was.. A trip to a proper wheel shop returned favourable results, and 4 new spigot rings... although I did happen to take the only wheel off the car with a great big screw sticking out of it for measurement...had to get that repaired too, still better safe than sorry. Fitted the wheels and spigots and the vibration has completed disappeared, although I have not tried the car on a motorway yet, which should return more accurate findings. Still, thanks for the advice guys - i'm back to happy motoring again! So it was the rings then Team wim are the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorps Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 So it was the rings then Team wim are the best And so say all of us....Oi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Yep it's all good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Yep it's all good! Sorted........ Don't jump ship now the problem is solved. Our grass is greener and kind on the foot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted April 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 No i won't Tony!! I may need your (and others!) technical brains again further on in the year, maybe July time, when I will hopefully get around to purchasing and fitting some new shockers and springs on the old girl. The goals being more positive handling, and a slight drop in ride height with absolute minimal loss in ride comfort. I'm reading positive things about the 'Absolutely Shocks' developed GAZ fully adjustable suspension kit (that accomodate these goals), so a further alignment will be required! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 No i won't Tony!! I may need your (and others!) technical brains again further on in the year, maybe July time, when I will hopefully get around to purchasing and fitting some new shockers and springs on the old girl. The goals being more positive handling, and a slight drop in ride height with absolute minimal loss in ride comfort. I'm reading positive things about the 'Absolutely Shocks' developed GAZ fully adjustable suspension kit (that accomodate these goals), so a further alignment will be required! :) Good stuff..... Choose your suspension wisely though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeyman Posted May 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Well with all the best will in the world, the vibration was still present. It was less noticeable hence my initial reaction, but it is still there. An unrelated trip to the garage early last night to check my tyre pressures resulted in these figures: Front right: 20psi Front left: 31psi Rear right: 10psi Rear left: 15psi I'd only topped them up to 30psi last week!! Discovered I had two new punctures, and there MUST be a problem with air seepage around 3 of the 4 rims. I got really fed up at this point, and put the old wheels back on when I got home, in a sort of fit of rage. WOW. What a difference. I'm sticking with the stock rims now, I couldn't believe how much more secure it felt at speed, despite having non-brand tyres fitted. There is a very slight wheel wobble still at speed. My new suspect IS the balancing, as all 8 wheels were balanced at the same place at the same time. I will be visiting them shortly for a small argument me's thinks. Here she is with the stock rims on, happy again. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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