2003 touring

100,000+ miles

new tires all around with 4 wheel alingment.

symptoms: car rides fine until i start passing 80mph, then a moderate vibration happens, also can feel some vibration when braking.

where should i start?

any common problems that can cause this?

 

Problem could be bent wheels, bad tires, alignment, or unbalanced wheels

I would start with the wheels first

 

O.K.,new tires all around.Where did you get the tires?Was it a "chain" tire store?
Do you have stock wheels?
My first thought is that your tires were not balanced correctly.From my experience,
the personnel at some of these tire stores do not know how to balance tires correctly.
Or,they are in a hurry...like,"thats good enough"...Being off a qtr of an ounce at high speeds will make a difference.Furthermore,OEM Z wheels and aftermarket require adhesive weights.Not the standard bang on move etc.If your car did not experience this "vibration" before the new tire were installed,I'd think it was a balance problem.You could have a defective tire,
but that is doubtful.By the way,what brand are the tires?
If it were me,I'd take your car to a shop that is known for precise balancing.I would'nt take it back to the place that you bought the tires unless they have someone on board
that knows what they are doing.
Ironically,I had your same problem a few weeks ago with another vehicle I own.
Was out of town,a front tire hit a large bolt.Could not be fixed.The front were shot anyway,had the fronts replaced.Same prob as your...vibration at about 70.Shimmy when braking.When I got back into town,took my vehicle to my regular guy.He rebalanced the two.Cost me 20 bucks.Car rides perfect!

 

It really sounds like a balance issue.
Go back and let them know. They should fix you right up

 

Balance most likely, normally bad rims you are going to feel it at all speeds. Not that i would EVER condone going over the limit ( ) but keep going faster, it should smooth out again, does it smooth out?

vibration braking has almost nothing to do with tires unless you have really bad scalloping/feathering on the tires and somehow don't notice it driving, most likely need a resurface, maybe pads too

 

this

 

Was thinking the same thing. Possible the rotors are warped

 

^^^

+1

warped rotors gives a vibration

 

When you brake,not at hwy speeds.
The OP did not say he had the vibration problem before
the tires were put on.I'm assuming,after.Possibly he's
got some rotor warp.Bad balance will make was a slight warp
feel greater.

 

For all the people quick to say warped rotors...

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/automotive/...ibration.shtml


Sounds like a combination problem. You have deposits on your rotor(s) which gives you the vibration under braking. Then probem number two is you have a wheel(s) out of balance which gives you the vibration at ~80mph.

In other news, quick hijack

My car has a pulsing vibration wich is only noticeable around 80mph. By pulsing I mean it goes from completely smooth then a vibration builds for 2 or so seconds until it reaches its maximum then slowly goes away for 2 or so seconds (then repeat). It's very slight and I've narrowed it down to either tires and/or alignment. A buddy of mine told me that it could be unevenly worn tires resonating at almost the resonance frequency of the front end's harmonics giving me that peculiar feedback. Makes sense to me. I'm about to throw new tires on it anyway so no worries.

What do you think? Ever heard of something like it?

 

This is a balancing/alignment issue. You will also feel this while braking as the vibration will travel through pads, calipers and eventually through the pedal. Bring it back to whoever you bought the tires from and get them to check the balance. If the balance is alright get an alignment done on the car. If the tires are a different size then stock, your alignment is most likely out.

 

All of the above and are your wheels hub centric?

 

Re-balance your wheels. It is not an alignment issue.

 

sorry been away taking care of finals.

- i had the same problem before i put the new tires on.

-bought them brand new from tires.com set of sumitomo htr a/s po1

- i took it to a chain tire place and had all wheel alingment.

im gonna go back and get these balanced and see if that helped. but im sure i got them balanced when i got the alingment.

but also vibrates when i brake.

 

They should be balanced if you get the alignment done, but sometimes they tack the weights in the wrong spot. Get them checked when you go back and ask if they have any suggestions as well.

 

If this is a night and day change from old to new tires for both symptoms, I would say balance and wheel installation issues.

If the guy went at the wheels with an impact gun and torqued the lug nuts unevenly you could have induced runout in the rotor/wheel assembly.

Couple that with bad balance and there you go.