I just got done getting my alternator replaced at a local dealership and it's raining cats and dogs on the way back to work. Recently I put on a set of L-Sportline Model 4's and I know they were "road-forced" balanced on a Hunter machine and didn't have any problems whatsoever before the work I had done today. I'm doing 60 and all of the sudden my steering wheel almost shakes itself loose from my grasp. I pull over thinking I'[m about to loose a wheel and check the lugs. Everything looks cool, also It doesn't look like I threw any weights. I get back on the beltway and no more vibration....hmmm this is getting very weird. About a 4 more miles I get the vibration again !! Thinking this time maybe my rotors are warping, so I apply some brakes and NO vibration...Rotors ok...

What do you think ? Shocks/struts going out ?

01 GS430 with 30k miles...

Jim

 

This has not happened since It was raining. One thing I noticed the other day when I was washing the GS is that the wheels do carry a tremedous amount of water, could this be the problem ? Could the fact that the water being inside the wheel during a downpour cause a balance problem ??

Would that be something to think about ?


Jim

 

Yes, the wheels carrying water is the problem. Happens with my HRE's also. In dry weather, perfectly smooth ride, and most times in rain no problems, but once in a while, water seems to get trapped in the inner rim I'd guess and it acts like an irregular weight causing vibration / wheel shimmy. If it's real bad I slow down, let the water fall out of the rim and then start up again.

 

Thanks Bit for the reply...

I knew I wasn't going crazy here posting that response..But that was the ONLY thing I could come up with.

I'm running SO3's 245/40-19's and 275/35-19's, they are THE best according to wet traction....but be careful when your running wide wheels in the rain !!!


Jim