99 EX
Tein s-techs
Stock struts
Brand new Rota GT3's 16x7
Brand new Kumho SPT's
Alignment all in spec, except front passenger-side camber is off by .1 degree

At first it would vibrate from 45-55mph, I rotated tires on both sides and it now vibrates at 60mph+, same spot every time. The vibration is higher frequency now, but extremely annoying as it comes through the steering wheel and pedals. It's at a frequency that's bordering on a "buzz". The steering wheel only moves about 1/4", but it does that about 5 times a second. It happens both in gear and coasting.

Would this indicate bad axles? It seems odd to me that the vibration changed when I rotated the wheels. Is the rumor that Kumho's can sometimes be "out of round" true? I've wiggled the wheels and the axle/bearing/tierods seem tight.

I have no idea what to try next short of replacing axles, and doing that in a condo complex is mucho risky.

 

PERHAPS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS BAD. I'M SORRY, BUT WHAT ENGINE DO YOU HAVE? IF YOU HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH A CARRIER BEARING, THAT COULD BE THE CULPRIT. IF YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITIES AND A FRIEND, GET THE CAR IN THE AIR, ACCELERATE TO 60 SLOWLY WHILE YOU LOOK AT THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS. YOU PROBLEM SHOULD REAR IT'S UGLY HEAD. IT COULD BE BAD WHEEL BEARINGS AS WELL. FINALLY, IF THE WHEELS AREN'T HUB CENTRIC, THIS MIGHT BE A PROBLEM AS WELL.

GOOD LUCK.

 

It might be your wheels. Go and balance them when balancing is done ask if any of the wheels is out of wack (damaged)

 

It's just a stock SOHC VTEC. I'm not up on all the engine codes yet.

I don't think I have an intermediate shaft, but I'll check.

 

I've had a Rota wheel be warped right out of the box before, and it caused vibration at 65+. Jack up each corner and spin the wheel to see if any of them wobble. If one does, try a different wheel on that corner to rule out a hub/bearing.

I'd also have them rebalanced and ask them to see the specs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Niskyspy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It might be your wheels. Go and balance them when balancing is done ask if any of the wheels is out of wack (damaged)</TD></TR></TABLE>
thats what i thought too

 

I'll spin them tonight and go yell at Discount Tire tomorrow.

It's going to suck if the brand new wheels and/or tires need replacing. I hope they have a good warranty.

One more question, are the dynamic dampers on the axles supposed to be a little floppy? I felt the driver's side damper last night and it didn't feel very solid, but all the rubber is there and it doesn't slide on the axle at all.

 

After a new balance on all 4 wheels and hubcentric rings it's totally smooth from 0-100mph. I still can't figure out how they managed to screw up all 4 wheels so badly the first time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tridim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">After a new balance on all 4 wheels and hubcentric rings it's totally smooth from 0-100mph. I still can't figure out how they managed to screw up all 4 wheels so badly the first time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

when i first bought my 17 inch wheels they shook badly at 65+ mph, i had em rebalanced and it went away.

i think they were balanced wrong out the box. i beleive they dynamic balaned it rather than static balanced it, or vice versa, its been a while since ive been in auto tech school and remember the difference between the dynamic and static wheel balancing...

FYI AND FOOD FOR THOUGHT....if u were to rebalance your tires and it still shakes, it could be your brake rotors, they may be warped, or your axles, or your rack and pinion or alignment.

when i rebalanced my tires, changed my brake rotors, my steering wheel still spun at 65+mph. well my rack and pinion was leaking and my alignment was off a bit, so i got the rack and pinion changed then took it in for an alignment.....and the shaking went away...

 

Just replaced my rotors two weeks ago. I had a braking shudder too. Different problem, but equally annoying. I was just surprised about the balance thing because I've never had one that failed so completely. All 4 wheels were off, by quite a bit.