Quantcast
Jump to content


Customer States Vehicle Vibrating at 100 MPH


Recommended Posts

Had a young customer come in this morning and said that his 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has a vibration in the steering wheel under acceleration. He says, "When you accelerate there's a weird vibration in the steering wheel when you accelerate. It starts when you hit 60 and goes away at 80 then starts at 100 and disappears when it hits 120." He then proceeded to tell me that he replaced the tires, wheels balanced, alignment, etc...

 

I don't even know how to answer someone like that, I politely told him that I would look at the vehicle to see if there's anything obvious. But it's not like I'm going to go drive this thing at 100 to see what he's on about.

 

Well, that was my interesting story of the day.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I knew it, I knew it... I knew it. I didn't think I was the only one who ever had somebody wanting me to test drive a car at some outrageous speed.

 

But, I did have one guy who said he kept hitting his head on the roof when he would go over this bump real fast. I told him to wear his seat belt and perhaps slow down, or I could cut a whole in the roof and let his head stick through... choose an option.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well....Guilty as charged, Your Honor!!

 

When I was 25 I bought a new Porsche. It was smooth driving all the way up to 150. After the tires got some wear on them a few months later, it started vibrated at about 110 & up. I went to a performance tire shop about 90 miles away and had them balanced, but still had a vibration on the way home. Now this was in 1980, before the internet, before I was in the tire business, so I looked in the back of Car and Driver Magazine for tire ads. I ordered a set of $800 (1980 price) Pirelli's and had them shipped to me. When they came in I drove to Atlanta and had them mounted and balanced. On the way home it drove smoothly up to 150, and I learned then that just because a tire is not worn out that it may not be balanceable to ride smoothly. This lesson has served me well through the years.

 

So nowadays when someone tells me they have a high speed vibration, and they've had them balanced already, I can steer them toward investing in some new rubber!

 

Hi-Gear

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At my shop we always use the FINE setting and balance to .1 oz. instead of the normal .25 and that makes a HUGE difference. If the tires are within .1 oz. static AND dynamic (both sides) they should be smooth to just over 100 mph (I amateur car race in case you were wondering). Other than that I would agree with the above post!

As an aside - my best ever apprentice (dammit, he enlisted in the Coast Guard) was taking classes at the local community college. He was balancing his tires in class with a weight and side-cuts in his hand. The Instructor asked him what he was dong about the same time he looked at the read-out on the balancer. Scott (my apprentice) told him he was balancing tires as he had been taught and the instructor stuck around to see how to set the machine on FINE and how that all worked out! Never been prouder of one of my guys...

 

steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At my shop we always use the FINE setting and balance to .1 oz. instead of the normal .25 and that makes a HUGE difference. If the tires are within .1 oz. static AND dynamic (both sides) they should be smooth to just over 100 mph (I amateur car race in case you were wondering). Other than that I would agree with the above post!

 

steve

 

You can balance to .1 oz and still have a bunch of vibration from road force variation. We do that and check the 1st. 2nd and 3rd harmonics on all tire/wheels we do as well as lateral force. I wasn't wondering but I also race. Drag and road racing.

 

Spence

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not disagreeing with the value of road force or fine balancing, but we've balanced literally tens of thousands of tires and you can't feel a 1/4oz or 10g imbalance. Even a half ounce on the back is not going to be noticeable on public roads.

 

Bent rims are the #1 cause of vibration. They balance out but they still don't go down the road smooth. #2 is garbage tires, the cheapo district of china makes square tires. (Not all Chinese tires are bad) They balance ok but will flatten out overnight. #3 is CV axles or stuck brake calipers. Get a rotor hot and it will warp, and if you have a stuck caliper it will shake with your foot off the brake. #4 is caked on mud, so obvious to most...

 

Incidentally loose tie rods and ball joints don't cause a vibration, they actually reduce it by absorbing it before it reaches the steering wheel. That's a Sinse-Ya moment when you rebuild a front end and now they feel their bent rim.

 

I took a class on NVH noise/vibration/harshness or something like that a while back, way back actually, and I recommend attending one of its offered. I went when I worked at Acura. You'd be surprised at what causes these "tire balance" issues. That's when ford was hanging large weights on the exhaust pipes.

Edited by alfredauto
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 182 - Customer Escalations and Unusual Finds in Car Trunks With Auto Shop Follow Up
    • By carmcapriotto
      The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
      Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
      Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind
      In this episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton discusses overcoming adversity, especially in the auto repair business. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, contrasting a fixed mindset with a growth mindset. Coach Chris offers practical tips for building resilience, such as shifting perspectives, controlling responses, leveraging support systems, cultivating adaptability, and practicing self-reflection. He shares personal experiences to illustrate how adversity can be a transformative experience. Sponsored by Shop Marketing Pros, the episode highlights the role of effective marketing in business success. Overall, it serves as a motivational guide for navigating and thriving through life's challenges.
      Introduction to Adversity (00:00:04)
      Coach Chris Cotton introduces the theme of overcoming adversity in personal and professional life.  
      Understanding Adversity (00:01:03)
       
      Discussion on the inevitability of adversity and its various forms in life and business.  
      Mindset Matters (00:02:12)
       
      Exploration of fixed vs. growth mindsets and their impact on handling challenges.  
      Building Resilience (00:03:30)
       
      Key strategies for cultivating resilience during tough times and learning from adversity.  
      Shifting Perspectives (00:04:39)
       
      Importance of viewing adversity as part of personal growth and embracing discomfort.  
      Control Your Response (00:05:51)
       
      Emphasizing the need to focus on controllable aspects during adversities.  
      Leverage Support Systems (00:06:08)
       
      Encouragement to seek help from mentors and loved ones when facing challenges.  
      Cultivating Adaptability (00:06:30)
       
      The necessity of being flexible in thinking and actions to thrive through adversity.  
      Self-Reflection (00:07:08)
       
      Encouraging regular self-reflection on lessons learned from past adversities.  
      Personal Experience (00:07:30)
       
      Coach Chris shares his journey of transitioning from shop owner to coach amidst challenges.  
      Pressure and Growth (00:08:08)
       
      Discussion on how adversity shapes character and fosters personal and professional growth.  
      Key Takeaways (00:08:30)
       
      Practical advice on acknowledging, acting, embracing uncertainty, and reflecting on adversity.  
      Final Thoughts (00:09:10)
       
      Encouragement to choose resilience and transformation in the face of life's challenges.  
       
       
      Connect with Chris:
      [email protected]
      Phone: 940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
      AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
       
      #autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Changing The Industry
      Avoiding Costly Mistakes With Wheel Hub Assemblies
    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 180 - Navigating Customer Expectations With The Founder of Datadyne Joshua Hemmerling
    • Sell your car with CarBrain
    • By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments
      Matt Fanslow, host of "Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z," discusses the critical importance of consulting service information before performing vehicle maintenance or repairs. Matt shares multiple real-world scenarios illustrating why thoroughly understanding service procedures is essential to avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring professional work.
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. [email protected]
      Show Notes
      Importance of Service Information (00:00:25) Matt emphasizes the necessity of reading service information before starting any repair work. Common Mistakes in Vehicle Maintenance (00:01:12) Matt shares horror stories of technicians neglecting service information, leading to mistakes during vehicle maintenance. Encouragement to Use Service Info (00:04:03) Matt advises technicians to always consult service information before starting any job. Warranty Concerns and Accountability (00:05:05) Discussion on the importance of service information for warranty claims and accountability in repairs. Pay Structure and Professionalism (00:06:34) Matt addresses how pay structures can affect adherence to proper procedures in the automotive industry. Call to Action for Technicians (00:07:34) Matt encourages a cultural shift towards professionalism by prioritizing service information in repairs.  
      Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and 360 Payments
       
      Shop Boss – Shop Management Software built by shop owners for shop owners. It works the way you need it to, right out of the box. Find on the web at https://shopboss.net
      Connect with the Podcast:
      -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/
      -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
      -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976
      -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto
      -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/
      -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/
      -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz
      -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/
      -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider
      -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books
      -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom
      -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
      -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
      The Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...