Most liked posts in thread: Wheel Vibration At High(er) Speeds?

When I got my '88 Mini aligned two months ago I didn't want to go to a place that normally handles Camrys and Malibus. So, based up a recommendation from MiniDave, I sought out a place in my area that is used to aligning race cars and highly tuned street cars. Someplace where they are used to taking the time to get everything right - and not some place used to cranking out alignment after alignment for the next minivan with a $10 off coupon.

The place I went to was delighted to see my Mini. They fawned all over it. They spent nearly 2 hours doing a full front and rear alignment on my Mini (I have a fully adjustable suspension) and they had me sit in the Mini while they did it to dial everything in right. There was a huge difference in how the car felt, and how it handled after the alignment.

 

Swap the front and rear wheels and see if the vibration changes ends.

 

Performance Alignment in Blue Ash. Maybe not the one you were referring to but the description is right on

 

Yes. This is most likely your problem. If you feel the shimmy in the steering wheel, it's your front wheels. If you feel it in the chassis, it's your rear wheels.

 

Out of alignment generally will not cause a shimmy......any good tire shop should be able to get those tires smoothed out, but I've had a lot of trouble getting my 10's balanced and smooth. The larger sizes (12's, 13's) should be a little easier.

The only other front end related thing I'd tell you to check is your front wheel bearings, make sure they're tight - and all the other related hardware. If all the nuts and bolts are all on tight, it's the tire balance.

 

When you said you replaced all the hardware, did that include all 4 balljoints (correctly shimmed?) and new steering track rod ends too? What about the bushings in the tie bar ends? Are the bushings in the lower arm in good shape? Any small wheel imbalance could be magnified by slack or play in the front suspension.

 

Sounds rotational, get a good balance job to start. There are good & bad guys who balance tires. The bad guys make you come back a second time to get it right.

 

I use Discount Tire, but nothing wrong with NTB.

 

Might be worth the drive to cinci. I've used this place and they are awesome.

 

Performance is a great shop.

 

2 other things I found. Warped rotors or rotors with build up and non hubcentric wheels. The wheel doesn't center on the hub.

 

Did you replace your U-Joints as well? Could be an issue there if not. Also, not sure what wheel/tire combo you got from Seven, but contact Mike and let him know if balancing is the issue and it doesn't get sorted out.