Vibration in front end and chunks missing from tires
#1
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Vibration in front end and chunks missing from tires
I needs some help diagnosing a vibration in the front of my vette. When I reach certain speeds (45 MPH and faster) I feel a wobbling vibration coming from the front end. I have gone through the entire car making sure nothing was loose. I even put a wrench on every nut and bolt just to make certain they weren’t loose. When I make sharp turns at low speeds it feels like the front end is almost hopping and now it looks like a pitbull has been using my front tires for a chew toys. Any suggestions?
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photo 4 by stevenmplante, on Flickr
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#2
It's time to replace them...the cracks in the tread tells me they are dry rotting.
They may have started seperating,causing the vibration.
Have a good alignment guy go over it after new tires as well to look for rotten bushings,etc.
They may have started seperating,causing the vibration.
Have a good alignment guy go over it after new tires as well to look for rotten bushings,etc.
#3
By the marks on your tires you have a clearance issue, all the gouges and chunks are the same angle and location on your tread. Front spring possible is damaged. I would take the wheel off and look on the inside fender well for what the tire is hitting.
#4
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St. Jude Donor '12
Your slow speed turns where the front end is hoping is tire scrub and its due to the very wide tires and happens at cold temps. Its normal and no issue. as for the tires missing chunks, I agree with someone elses post that the tires are hitting inside the fenderwell? What is the age of the tires?
#5
Your slow speed turns where the front end is hoping is tire scrub and its due to the very wide tires and happens at cold temps. Its normal and no issue. as for the tires missing chunks, I agree with someone elses post that the tires are hitting inside the fenderwell? What is the age of the tires?
#6
#7
Le Mans Master
I think it is just your tires are getting too old and failing. They have dry rot cracking visible.
I don't think they are hitting the inner fenders. Usually they would hit at the corners, but this is not there. It also looks like there are two areas (bands) about the same distance on both sides of the tire center line where you have rubber chunks missing. It is unlikely that the stock sizes hit the fender, but to hit it in two separate spots not at the corners is very unlikely.
Just a guess, but I suspect that the tire is separating and maybe a belt is coming loose. The two bands of chunks missing might be at the two edges of the tread belt.
An alignment is cheap insurance, but it doesn't look like you have unusual wear from a bad alignment, so it may not be needed.
You need new tires.
Good luck.
I don't think they are hitting the inner fenders. Usually they would hit at the corners, but this is not there. It also looks like there are two areas (bands) about the same distance on both sides of the tire center line where you have rubber chunks missing. It is unlikely that the stock sizes hit the fender, but to hit it in two separate spots not at the corners is very unlikely.
Just a guess, but I suspect that the tire is separating and maybe a belt is coming loose. The two bands of chunks missing might be at the two edges of the tread belt.
An alignment is cheap insurance, but it doesn't look like you have unusual wear from a bad alignment, so it may not be needed.
You need new tires.
Good luck.
#8
Those "one way" pop up spike things in some parking grages and subdivisions will take chunks out of tires even going the correct way. Might try to recal if you regularly cross any of those.
#9
Team Owner
The missing chunks were an issue on some of the early Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires...it looks like that is what these tires are. You might check with the tire store that you bought them from.
I believe the vibration is from balance though.
I believe the vibration is from balance though.
#10
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I haven’t made any modifications to my vette other than putting the black gumby rims with Michelin PS2 runflats on but they are stock size. No adjustments to shocks or have I tried to lower it in any way. I had a front end alignment done and they told me that everything looked normal and only made minimal adjustments. I have never heard or felt the tires hit the fender and I wouldn't see why they would if everything is stock without modification. Well I guess it’s time for new tires and rims! I have had these tires on for almost three years and I've put just about 30,000 miles on them. Thanks everyone for your input.
#11
Racer
The tires are definitely dry-rotted and need to be replaced regardless of anything else.
Strange wear and vibrations can come from a variety of issues including belt separation, poor alignment, worn bushings and bad shocks. I'd replace the tires ASAP, get a good alignment and see how that works out.
Strange wear and vibrations can come from a variety of issues including belt separation, poor alignment, worn bushings and bad shocks. I'd replace the tires ASAP, get a good alignment and see how that works out.
#12
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I haven’t made any modifications to my vette other than putting the black gumby rims with Michelin PS2 runflats on but they are stock size. No adjustments to shocks or have I tried to lower it in any way. I had a front end alignment done and they told me that everything looked normal and only made minimal adjustments. I have never heard or felt the tires hit the fender and I wouldn't see why they would if everything is stock without modification. Well I guess it’s time for new tires and rims! I have had these tires on for almost three years and I've put just about 30,000 miles on them. Thanks everyone for your input.
#15
Melting Slicks
try this
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...-alignment.pdf
compare your settings to these. I have found that Michelin A/S do wear like this on a C6.
compare your settings to these. I have found that Michelin A/S do wear like this on a C6.
#16
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St. Jude Donor '13
You could be experiencing "chunking", where small pieces of rubber simply come off the tread under extreme use. Have you been doing autocross/HPDE/crazy street driving, on those tires?
#17
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I haven't been doing any extreme or crazy street driving but I usually run down the autobahn at 100+ MPH on a regular basis.
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Tell us how it all turns out.