Alignment/Front end - Shop Recommendation?

sseiler · 07-16-2008, 11:24 AM

Hey everyone,

To start, I drive a '98 Mitsu Eclipse GSX. It's on 18" Voxx rims, and wrapped in a set of 225/40R18 Triangle Talon Tires. It has the Tokico Illumina Kit, which drops it ~1.75"

Anything over 65 mph is accompanied by a slight shake in the cab, and it's enough to drive me insane. I can't go the speed limit half the time on E-470 because the wobble is excruciating.

I've come up with what I can, in order to figure out what causes this. From searching, and the info provided by this website... I've come across quite a few front end circumstances, and I don't think I am able to determine whether or not something is functioning incorrectly up front.

Whom do you recommend I take my car to, to have it inspected and aligned? Would an import shop be adequate and trustworthy enough? Because it has such an extreme drop, I figured taking it right down to "Bob's Alignment" isn't going to work. We had issues getting my onto a hydraulic lift at my buddy's Honda dealership anyway. Any feedback would be appreciated. I'm so tired of the wobbly drive to and from work everyday on I-70.

Thanks,

Scott

92spoolin' · 07-16-2008, 01:10 PM

Most of the time when you have a vibration that comes in at a certain speed its a balance issue. If you got those talons at a local big O you should take the car and see if they have a road force balancer and have the tires rebalanced.

sseiler · 07-16-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92spoolin'

Most of the time when you have a vibration that comes in at a certain speed its a balance issue. If you got those talons at a local big O you should take the car and see if they have a road force balancer and have the tires rebalanced.

When I had the tires installed, a balance check was done to the best of my knowledge. However, I'm sure it couldn't hurt to swing by and have them check.

Another assumption of mine would be a bent rim...? I hit a pot hole the size of a refrigerator back in the winter season. It blew a brand new Triangle Talon tire, and when I hit, you could hear the rim hit the concrete. There seems to be a slight dent in the circular shape, but I'm not sure if it's enough to cause a wobble. Not to mention, I don't have any way of determining that myself. However, it still holds air and hasn't been compromised since I had a new tire installed.

Thanks!

Scott

92spoolin' · 07-16-2008, 01:32 PM

You could always rotate them and see if it goes away if it does then you narrow it down to only looking at 2 tires instead of four. A bent rim could very well cause this as well.

sseiler · 07-16-2008, 02:04 PM

I wouldn't be able to rotate them the proper way, because the tires have to be facing a certain direction. Unless I had Big O do it for me. I'm not sure how they would get a jack under my car anyway. I've only got a few inches between the bumper and the ground. How would it cause me to look at only 2 tires instead of 4?

92spoolin' · 07-16-2008, 03:24 PM

They just rotate them front to back anymore anyways I work at a tire kingdom and we don't do the x rotates unless someone asks us to. Just going front to back will be fine. I used to have the talons on my car as well good ole employee discount.

matthewdesigns · 07-16-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sseiler

How would it cause me to look at only 2 tires instead of 4?

Because the vibration ought to change from one you feel through the steering, to one you feel through your seat (front vs. back). This will allow you to narrow down which end of the car has the off-balance wheel & tire. If the vibration follows the rim you think you bent, then that's probably your answer.

If that doesn't work, then I'd go back to the retailer from whom you purchased the tires and have them do the balance check as suggested above. And have them take a close look at the rim you think you bent, too.