Steering wheel vibration - only when it rains?

[cfmistry]

Hey guys,

Around 55-60mph I get a mild vibration through my steering wheel, but ONLY when it rains. It's a mild vibration but I've checked carefully and get nothing in the dry. Also it can only be felt through the steering wheel. I'm wondering if it's related to the large lips on my wheels (pooling water)? Has anyone else had any experience with this?

Thanks,
Cyrus

[cfmistry]

Bump!

[TiAgX5]

A bad camber/tow combo setting can cause this. The tires will steady state scrub on a surface with a high coefficent of friction (dry) and oscillate between stick/slip on a low coefficent of friction surface (wet).

Extreme dry perf tires and worn suspension components will increase the intensity of the oscillation.

[ThalliumZA]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

A bad camber/tow combo setting can cause this. The tires will steady state scrub on a surface with a high coefficent of friction (dry) and oscillate between stick/slip on a low coefficent of friction surface (wet).

go get a full 4 wheel alignment and balancing, get your camber/toe back into factory spec and see if it continues, do you have after market wheels, wheel spacers, lowered suspension etc?

I would guess too much toe in or toe out in the front.

[cfmistry]

Thanks for the replies guys! I do have aftermarket wheels, but had them balanced not too long ago and everything balanced out fine. I haven't had an alignment in a little while so it could be that I suppose. Most of my front suspension components have been replaced recently as well.

[TiAgX5]

As my BMWs get older and bushings wear I have the alignment setting done to MINIMUM camber/tow and get a printout of the final settings. Find a shop where you can talk to the tech and toss him a $20 for lunch B4 he works on your truck, it pays for itself in increased tire life and driving dynamics.

[TiAgX5]

Like the wheels, are they HREs? I have discontinued Envy's.

[cfmistry]

Yes they are HREs, though they've seen much better days! :-X I setup an appointment with my dealer next week, I'll try to get a word/tip in to the tech before she goes back.

Thanks,
Cyrus

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by cfmistry

Yes they are HREs, though they've seen much better days! :-X I setup an appointment with my dealer next week, I'll try to get a word/tip in to the tech before she goes back.

Thanks,
Cyrus

Welcome. Love those HRE's, priced a set of 560 for my Viper a few yrs ago, OUCH!!!, over 6k for the wheels alone, direct from HRE no less!

[ThalliumZA]

Originally Posted by cfmistry

Thanks for the replies guys! I do have aftermarket wheels, but had them balanced not too long ago and everything balanced out fine. I haven't had an alignment in a little while so it could be that I suppose. Most of my front suspension components have been replaced recently as well.

so there hasn't been any alignment done since the suspension components have been changed?

if so, then an alignment will probably fix your problem