Do I Need a Wheel Balancing?

vinuneuro · #1 01-30-2006, 08:50 AM

For a couple weeks, I was getting vibration in my steering driving my Prelude. I checked the pressure with my new guage and was able to get all the tires to exactly the same pressure. There was still some vibration, mainly at higher speeds when steering wheel was moving. Today as I did a lane change, suddenly there was just a LOT of shaking, it got worse. So I pulled over and checked and found no visible tire anomolies? When I started back up, there was some vibration but not too bad. It is absolutely horrible when braking. Is it possible that I just need a front wheel balancing? TIA.

MiCkEy · #2 01-30-2006, 09:32 AM

Prolly rotors and brake pads need to be replaced since it happens when you brake. It will get worse with time.

alpac · #3 01-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

For a couple weeks, I was getting vibration in my steering driving my Prelude. I checked the pressure with my new guage and was able to get all the tires to exactly the same pressure. There was still some vibration, mainly at higher speeds when steering wheel was moving. Today as I did a lane change, suddenly there was just a LOT of shaking, it got worse. So I pulled over and checked and found no visible tire anomolies? When I started back up, there was some vibration but not too bad. It is absolutely horrible when braking. Is it possible that I just need a front wheel balancing? TIA.

Vin,
The way you describe it I do not think it has something to do with wheel balancing. It could be a bad tie rod or ball joint. Rotors may need to be replaced but that does not sound like to be the origin of the problem otherwise it would not vibrate when not braking.

rayxi · #4 01-30-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpac

Vin,
The way you describe it I do not think it has something to do with wheel balancing. It could be a bad tie rod or ball joint. Rotors may need to be replaced but that does not sound like to be the origin of the problem otherwise it would not vibrate when not braking.

Definately not balance or brakes if there are sudden changes to the symptoms. Get your suspension checked out soon to be safe.

vinuneuro · #5 01-30-2006, 07:03 PM

Guys, I just drove home. No problems other than when I was turning the wheel. I dunno what's goin on.

alpac · #6 01-30-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Guys, I just drove home. No problems other than when I was turning the wheel. I dunno what's goin on.

A bad tie rod's end, ball joint or even bearing could be the cause of your vibration when turning the wheel. Use your jack to raise the front wheels. Strongly shake each front wheel to feel any play. The way you described it the play must be obvious when shaking the wheel. If there is a play then do the same thing with the tie rod to see if the play comes from the tie rod's end.
If there is no play and if your car is a front wheel drive then the problem could come from the universal joints (also called cardan). A worn out cardan can create vibration when turning the wheels. A worn out cardan can be identified by a ' clok, clok' sound when turning the wheels to the maximum while the car is moving.