Vibration Like Tire Is Out Of Balance

hpracing10 · May 22, 2010

At highway speeds, I have a vibration on my truck like a tire is out of balance. The catch is, I just had new tires put on and balanced so I don't think that a tire is out of balance. The tires I put on were Cooper Zeon LTZ on newer '06 silverado alloy wheels. The tires have less than 1000 miles on them and I am getting the vibration. What else could be causing it? I know that I have warped front brake rotors because when I apply the brakes at highway speeds I get a pulsing from the front. I do plan to replace front rotors and pads soon. Also, the front shocks are the factory original red ones, with over 200,000 miles on them. I also plan on replacing these when I do the brakes. Just to add, the truck was aligned about 10,000 miles ago so no troubles there.

Can anyone comment on this situation? I would like to figure out what the problem is before it starts to cup my new tires and make it ride even worse. Thanks

r1byker · May 22, 2010

Do I understand you correctly? You have 200,000 miles on your original front shocks? IMHO, you're way overdue for new shocks. You're ruining your new tires running with those old shocks. I would change those shocks immediately and inspect the front tires for any signs of uneven wear, cupping, etc. It might even be worthwhile to re-balance those fronts when you get the new shocks installed.

grimmysnr · May 22, 2010

I had the same setup except I had BFG AT KO's. Never really got it to go away but it smoothed out over time and tire wear. Check pressures and that your weights are still there. Those alloy wheels have a problem with aluminum weights. Have them balance with steel if they can. It turned out that it was one tire that was more out of whack than the others and I rotated it to the back. Still got some vibrations at about 70mph or so. I agree with above, its definitely time for shocks.

hpracing10 · May 22, 2010

Ok, I'll get some new shocks ordered ASAP. I didn't realize that shocks had that much to do with tire wear, but thank you for the advice. A few years ago I replaced the rear shocks with Bilstien HD shocks, they are yellow and blue. Any suggestions for the fronts? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but would like something a little better than factory original. Would a set of the Bilstien HD's up front be good as well? Thanks for the advice.

brad6603 · July 19, 2010

Ok, I'll get some new shocks ordered ASAP. I didn't realize that shocks had that much to do with tire wear, but thank you for the advice. A few years ago I replaced the rear shocks with Bilstien HD shocks, they are yellow and blue. Any suggestions for the fronts? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but would like something a little better than factory original. Would a set of the Bilstien HD's up front be good as well? Thanks for the advice.

I also have the Cooper Zeon LTZ tires. I absolutely can not get rid of the steering wheel shake. I have even went back to a different tire shop to have them rebalanced. Two of the four tires are loaded with weights. I think its the tires in general. Just impossible to get balanced correctly.

pm26 · July 19, 2010

I have seen shops balance tires wrong over and over again. I also had ch4eap tires that were out of round and impossible to eliminate vibration from. I always try to do a road force test on a suspect tire. Many dealerships nowadays use Hunter 9700 series road force balancer, which is a very accurate machine if used and calibrated properly.

It is important to note that different rims take different balancing weights. I believe that my truck wheels take MC series coated lead weights. There are other weights, such as FN series, EN series, etc. These weights have different profiles to accommodate different rims and will not sling off at speed.

Harvey Halabookie · July 19, 2010

Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks

bluegmctruck · July 19, 2010

Bilstien are very nice shocks. that is what i have on my truck.

jd1973 · July 20, 2010

Ok, I'll get some new shocks ordered ASAP. I didn't realize that shocks had that much to do with tire wear, but thank you for the advice. A few years ago I replaced the rear shocks with Bilstien HD shocks, they are yellow and blue. Any suggestions for the fronts? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but would like something a little better than factory original. Would a set of the Bilstien HD's up front be good as well? Thanks for the advice.

Bilsteins are great shocks and are guaranteed for life. I've had them on multiple vehicles-even on my lowered civic.

jd

jblakeney · July 20, 2010

I have seen shops balance tires wrong over and over again. I also had ch4eap tires that were out of round and impossible to eliminate vibration from. I always try to do a road force test on a suspect tire. Many dealerships nowadays use Hunter 9700 series road force balancer, which is a very accurate machine if used and calibrated properly.

It is important to note that different rims take different balancing weights. I believe that my truck wheels take MC series coated lead weights. There are other weights, such as FN series, EN series, etc. These weights have different profiles to accommodate different rims and will not sling off at speed.

Hunter Road Force Balancing is the best.... I traced a vibration in an expedition for a couple months (my sisters)....... Finally a friend from a ford dealer ship service department told me to get them balanced on a road force machine..... Fixed it right up.....

But to the dude with the truck..... Wheel bearings.... Cause vibrations when they are nearing failing. I have seen alignment guys over look the play.. while aligning vehicles.... Shocks should never reach 200k miles...... those should be gold plated and put on the shelf..

Jbo