mcollins

I have a new issue on my 86.5. I'm guessing it is wheel/tire as opposed to suspension because it is tied to wheel rotation:

- at low speed car the rocks diagonally enough that I can see the right headlight going up and down (not by a lot, but moving).
- It flattens out between around 20 to 60 mph;
- once over 60 I have a big vibration that I feel through the seat and steering wheel.
- it has gotten progressively worse as described below.

It "feels" like it is coming from the left rear, but can't really describe why I think that.

Tires all look okay, inflated correctly. The car sat for a few months, but doesn't seem long enough to have developed a flat spot. And the problem got much worse as I drove it.

Did about a 40 mile drive at street and highway speeds a few weeks ago with no issues.

Did a long run (about 300 miles each way) this past week and felt the vibration only over 70 on the way up.

On the way back, the vibration started at around 65, then dropped to starting at 60. Nothing of note at low speed at that point. About halfway back I hit some traffic and slowed to stop and go. At that low speed it was so bad I was convinced that I had a flat tire and pulled off the highway to look. Everything looked okay, I pulled on the wheels and nothing seemed out of wack.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

928ntslow

wheel balance

Daniel Dudley

And or out of round tire/wheel. Weak shocks can contribute to this, and all the usual stuff.

No_Substitute

mine recently did almost exactly the same...the right rear tire had developed a significant bubble.

Tony

X2 but on our Expedition. I replaced the tire with the spare and a few days later the bad tire "blew" while just sitting in the garage without the weight of the truck on it. The "belt" seperated and knock some fridge magnets of a few feet away! Take a very clsoe look at the tires.

Nicole

If you feel vibration in the steering wheel, the imbalance is in the front. If you feel it in the seat, it's in the rear. If you feel both... well, you might have flat spots after all.

Steve Tacheny

That really sounds like a broken belt in a tire. Jack up each wheel and spin them by hand to see which one it is. Just had this happen on my pickup a month ago

Steve

P.S. Don't drive it if the tire is bad. If it blows it will tear the fender and other assorted goodies right off

mcollins

Great advice. I did a better check in good light this AM and found a bubble in the tread of the left rear tire.

Thanks.

Steve Tacheny

Glad you found the problem before any damage was done.

Steve

Mrmerlin

dont drive on this tire if it expolodes your rear fender will have a few dents, best to let the air out of the tire,and remove it from the car. also consider getting a full set of new tires as sometimes tires from the same lot can have similar problems, also consider the age of the tires there is a little oval shaped stamp in the tire sidewall with 4 numbers first 2 are the week and the second 2 are the year of MFG.. EX 3203= 32nd week and 2003