Vibration after changing wheels round?

Defcon5 · 30 Jun 2007 at 18:23

My two front tyres were a bit low on tread so I have put them on the back. Trouble is when at highish speeds there is quite a bit of vibration, have I put a wheel on wonky or something?

It is better now than it was when i first did it, if that means anything

Its the first mechanical type thing ive ever done and was quite proud of myself tbh, until I thought the car was going to fall apart!

Any advice?

Conscript · 30 Jun 2007 at 18:26

Sounds like wheel balancing. If I remember correctly, unbalanced front wheels are more noticeable that unbalanced rears.

Might be worth taking them to a local garage to get balanced. Most places do it fairly cheaply and quickly.

Defcon5 · 30 Jun 2007 at 18:32

Conscript said:
Sounds like wheel balancing. If I remember correctly, unbalanced front wheels are more noticeable that unbalanced rears.

Might be worth taking them to a local garage to get balanced. Most places do it fairly cheaply and quickly.

Would they not have been balanced at the factory?

Conscript · 30 Jun 2007 at 18:44

How old are they? If tyres have been changed over time, chances are that they might not be balanced properly. All balancing is is a process of adding small weights around the perimeter of the wheel to ensure that they are correctly balanced with their tyres.

Defcon5 · 30 Jun 2007 at 19:04

Well its an 04 and I think they are the original tyres (car has done 30k, half of which are mine and I havnt changed the tyres)

stoofa · 1 Jul 2007 at 03:51

Aren't wheels balanced not only on the tyre but also on their position on a car?
I've never actively watched the balancing process - although I do always make sure it is carried out.
Over the past three weeks I've had a complete set of new tyres fitted and I was sure that as they were balanced the machine was told which corner of the vehicle it was going to be fitted on...

Poppy · 1 Jul 2007 at 08:24

Rear camber maybe slightly different to the front meaning they have worn (even if minutely) more in 1 area then another. Sticking them on the fronts (with different camber) amplifies any vibrations. Give them a few weeks to wear evenly. Or take it to a reputable garage and check the balancing just incase.