Hi all,

Bought some rims from pep boys and noticed that sometimes when I go anywhere from 65-80 mph the steering wheel vibrates.

Now the highways around the Chicago NW burbs are not the smoothest, but should this really happen?

I just put some hub centric rings on all four wheels and still sometimes get vibrations from the wheel at 65-80 mph, should I now get a wheel alignment even though the steering wheel when not holding it does not sway either left or right. The tires and the car is on 7 months old also.

I'm wondering if it's just the roads (even thought they don't look rough) or me, or since the engine it not that big in the box going that fast it's going give some vibrations?

Thanks all,
Knight

 

The same thing happened to me when I put my rims on after the winter. It did that because they were unbalanced. Take your car to pep boys and tell them whats going on and Im sure they would be happy to fix it.

 

I'd have them check the balance and possibly look into an alignment.

 

I just had a 4 wheel alignment done at a Toyota dealership and now my steering wheel is vibrating right when I hit 80mph! Gotta go back up there, it takes so long though, I hate dealership service departments!

 

The xB only gets a 2 wheel alignment unless im mistaken. Im pretty sure that there is no adjustment for the rear.

 

Look for a high speed balance.....and technically there is no adjustment for the rear allignment, although some have posted that they have made adjustments.

 

Other than camber, there's not much you can do the rear...

 

high speed balancing, that's what you need to ask for

 

2005 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1116U)
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
1. INSPECT TIRE (See page 28-1 )
2. MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT (See page 26-7 )
NOTICE: Before inspecting wheel alignment, adjust vehicle height to the specified value.
3. INSPECT TOE-IN
Toe-in: Toe-in (total)
A + B: 0°20’ ± 20’ (0.33° ± 0.33°)
C - D: 3.2 ± 3.0 mm (0.13 ± 0.12 in.)
If the toe-in is not within the specified value, inspect and replace the suspension parts as necessary.
4. INSPECT CAMBER
(a) Install the camber-caster-kingpin gage or position the vehicle on the wheel alignment tester.
(b) Inspect the camber.
Camber: Camber Right-left error
-0 °57’ ± 25’ (-0.95° ± 0.42°)
45’ (0.75°) or less
If the measured value is not within the specified value, inspect the suspension parts for damage and/or wear and replace them as necessary because the camber is not adjustable.

 

yup it sounds like balanceing problem to me - take it back to pep boys and have them redo it -

 

...unless of course there's a dinged/bent rim involved. Even the slightest imperfection of the wheel can ruin your ride quality.
Another problem can be those "one size fits all bolt pattern" wheels. When you take all your lugs off, is there ANY play when you try to turn it forward/backward? Does the centre hub fit completely flush with the centre opening of the wheel?
Any slop in a wheel that doesn't fit tightly to the hub without the lugs tightened can cause vibration, too.
Good luck!

 

Either defective rim or just bad balance job. U using hubcentric rings with those new wheels? Give them another chance then take it to a place that has top of the line equipment and have all 4 re-balanced. My first set of mail order wheels/tires had slight vibs. It was like they did a rush balance job. Re balanced them and it went away.

 

most likely if the hubcentrics are not from the same manufactur as the wheels, this may cause it. see if they can balance the wheel with the weights on one side, instead of both sides of the wheels.

 

Check the tire pressure too. I had the same problem because my tires were around 20-25 psi instead of 32 psi.

 

I have noticed a slight vibration at 80 plus mph too, Kind of works like cruise control for me...Vibration = Need to slow down a bit )

 

Lol, I do the same thing.
I just got these rims installed at discount two month ago, and a alignment a month after that. I am thinking they didnt complete zero in the rims when they balance mine.

 

same thing happens to me when I hit 75-80, had new tires put on with the rims two months ago, aligned and balanced. It's been getting better though, in the beginning my whole arms were shaking

 

Weird. I just put new rims on my 06.5 and now when I break 80mph I feel a vibration. I've got 15x7 Drag Dr20 with stock tires and FK 5mm front wheel spacers. Up until the new wheels I never felt anything. Here's a silly question though: Will lug nuts throw a wheel's balance off? I have spline nuts but one is slightly smaller on each wheel (makes it that much harder for someone to steal them).
Regardless, I'm about to lower it and put some 10mm spacers out back, so once it settles I'm taking it in for an alignment and a re-balance. One more question: A high-speed balance is when the wheel is left on the vehicle, right?

 

same thing happened on my 06 Sienna when i put 20'' wheels. i dint know that i need to do my alighment.. they did balance the wheel thoght.

 

Technically you dont because there is no change to the suspention. Doesnt hurt though.