fabchef

Hi everone. This is concering my 2009 lexus rx350. About a week ago i swapped out my winter tires (on steelies(from a honda crv)) to the summer tires (oem mags). When i got in to go for a spin, i noticed the steering wheel was a little off. At lower speeds, i noticed the steering wheel was kinda "vague"...it would shake to the left a bit, then to the right, back and forth...especially on uneven roads. At higher (highway) speeds the steering where is smooth. As well, going over speed bumps, the S-wheel is also straight..no shaking.
What can this be? why didn't i feel this with the winter tires on? i thought maybe tires out of balance.....but wouldn't this happen at all speeds? I had an alignment done about a year ago.
Any info would be great. thanks
fab

DennisMik

Toyota makes their wheels hub centric. This makes it possible for you to put the wheel on in a "cocked" position. Jack up the wheel and spin it by hand, looking to see if it rotates perfectly straight and round. Or you could just take the wheel off and re-install it.

fabchef

Dennis. I tried to uninstall and reinstall all the tires but didn't work. When i had the winter (honda) rims/tires on the car it was great. Now with oems on all-seasons, I'm getting this shaking.

DennisMik

The honda wheels are not hub centric on a toyota, but that doesn't mean anything for fixing your car. But did you try putting the Honda wheels back on to see if the problem is related to the Lexus wheels?

fabchef

Dennis, no i did not. I guess i could try that again. Does it sound like summer tires are off-balance? Would an off-balace tire be noticeable at all speeds though? I feel this issue at lower speeds.
thanks
fab

wz4rfv

Out of balance tires will be felt at higher speeds, not lower. Maybe the tires took a set during storage. Jack up the corners and spin the tires to see if you see any runout. Sometimes this "set" will work itself out after a few trips. Also, have you checked the tire pressures to make sure they are all up to spec?

Bob

fabchef

Bob, i store our tires in our shed, stacked one on top of the other (sides).
i can try jacking it up and spinning to see if they wobble.
fab

iMSQ

it's not a good idea. try to re-balance them...

sail7seas

My mechanic through parts at my 2005 RX330 for steering wheel vibration (175k miles), he replace the entire front end suspension, steering, tires, ect done. ($10k)
The wheels did not wobble when jacked up. I asked him anyway to replace the front wheel bearing, problem solved.
At 120k miles, the right rear wheel broke of in the hub, after hitting a speed bump in parking garage, so I replaced the rear wheel bearings.

fabchef

Thanks for all your input guys. I'll bring my car in to get checked out soon, as right now it's tire season ( winters to summers) and most places are booked!