Vibration felt through steering wheel, seat of pants

[Massiv]

Having this issue with vibration in my car. Seems to be there all of the time, but most apparent at really slow speeds (10-15mph). At higher speeds it can be felt through the steering wheel, but at a slow roll, it almost seems as if the body is moving laterally or something. Maybe from the rear. I keep getting the quote "case of the tail wagging the dog" rolling through my mind. I recently had the fronts balanced, which didn't fix it, then rotated fronts to rear, which also didn't fix it.

Any ideas? What can I check out? I don't mind jacking up a corner at a time and examining stuff if someone can tell me what to look for.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Massiv.

[CATerina]

Balance or poss. a broken belt in the tire.

[Massiv]

Would a broken belt be something that could be balanced? What type of thing could break the belt? I'm wondering if a tire with a broken belt could be balanced fine, but would exhibit this type of symptom when driven on. Any way to test for this?

Thanks,

Massiv.

[CanadianBeerSucks]

If you have a broken belt you would more likely than not have a bubble in the tire someplace. I guess its conceivable that you could balance a broken belted tire if you used enough weights, but I am sure the damage would be apparent during the balancing proce

[ND4SPD]

hmm...
when i first put on my new rims, i got insane vibrations through my steering wheel, but once i got new springs & struts installed, it was like driving on a newly paved road... nice and smooth.

maybe your springs or struts are wearing down? :shrug:

or maybe its an allignment thing?

[CATerina]

No you cant balance a tire with a broken belt.. it wont help. A broken belt doesnt produce a bubble either.

[LMagenis]

Having the SAME problem!
I noticed it after I got a flat tire repaired and a tire rotation. I don't know who to bring it to.

If you find any answers, please PM or email me!!!

[Massiv]

Ok... will post results here. If you solve yours, post it here too.

Update: a-ha! Loud clunk from under front of car when turning left into a driveway today, and one later on making a light sweeping left under WOT. Must be a suspension thing. Might actually take it to the dealership to have them diagnose the problem.. then fix from there.

Massiv.

[Massiv]

Hey...

Ok, turned out it definitely was the tires. I found a BIG patch on the inside shoulder of the right front tire. BIG. Through the rubber, first nylon cord, first steel belting, and just starting on second. I will post some pics. If you look at the tire along the edge, you can see it bulging out at that spot. I guess it was a broken belt at that spot or something...

Massiv.