Wheel wobble?

JEZ 280ZX

JEZ 280ZX

Well-Known Forum User
Hi,
I recently replaced the antique tyres on my 280ZX with new ones.The tyre shop also balanced the wheels at the same time and reckoned they were now "spot on".

Before replacing the tyres I was getting wheel wobble from the front wheels, but put it down to the fact there didn't appear to be any wheel balance weights fitted!
I'm still getting wheel wobble when I reach about 60mph however.
What else should I be looking at?...The steering has always felt a bit heavy for a power assisted system, now not helped by fitting a smaller steering wheel and larger tyres!...The main problem is the ~wobble~ though!
 
Did the tyre place put the machine on fine balance? alot of places have it on the standard setting which is good enough for most cars, mine needed a fine balance and it was all good after it was done. you could try swopping the wheels to the back and see if it's any different!
 
Hi,
Didn't know there was a fine balance available?....The only thing I asked him to do, was fit the weights on the inside of the rims rather than on the outsides.
 
Try checking the wheel bearings for play and/or wear.
Plus, look at the inner face of the wheel centre itself where it meets the hub face. They must both be absolutely flat to meet each other - if you have any built-up alloy oxidation ( the white flecks that build up on bare alloy ), it will prevent the two sitting flush together, and at speed, any deviance is magnified to give wheel wobble. Simply wire brush/sand off with coarse wet 'n dry paper to clean both faces.
Also happens when you get the wheels blasted & powder coated - the coating is not exactly uniform and gives the same misalignment of the two faces.
 
Where my tyres are fitted they are balanced on a digital machine which says if the weights need to be on the inside or outside.
 
Hi,
They use stick on balance weights on the inner wheel rather than have unsightly weights on the outer rim.
They did clean the mating surfaces up a bit as a couple of the centre caps had corroded themselves in place and needed to be knocked out....The fronts weren't a problem though!
I might go back next week and see if they can re-balance the fronts.
 
They may have simply forgotten to balance one of the tyres, it has been known to happen. Another favourite is for the garage to over inflate the tyres. I think they should be 28psi, but double check. You should also inspect the front suspension for signs of any bends or dents. If the car runs in a straight line, with no pulling to one side, it probably is the balancing.
 
Hi,
You're right about them being over-inflated, as they pumped them up to 32/33psi I believe, whereas the 205's should be 2.0 bar which is about 29psi I think?...Although the label in the arm rest does say 2.3 bar for a full load/high speed driving.
I was there when they balanced the wheels, as I was supervising the jacking up of the car!
 
Hi,
I set the tyre pressures to the correct level but the wobble is still there...I shall take the car back to the tyre shop and get them to re-check them!
I don't feel like driving very far with them as they are!:(
Perhaps I shall have to have balance weights on the outer rim too?
 
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