vibration in steering wheel and floor?

Thanks. The car is clean so there is definitely no dirt build-up.

Well, I've decided it's time to have the car looked at by an independent garage or the dealer. I took the car back to Discount Tire Co. yesterday and explained the vibration. They then told me that sometimes the wheels need to have some sort of balance (I can't remember the name). So, after the tires were remounted, balanced, and re-installed and there is still a vibration, it's time for an inspection from a reputable mechanic.

Well, once the car is on the lift and off the ground (it only needs to be a few inches off the ground), get in the car, start the motor, put the gear shift in first gear and let out the clutch. In fact, you don't have to put it in first gear. You could use any gear, even reverse.

It is no harder than with a automatic transmission or even a CVT.

Jeff

Yeah, you're right. Having the car inches off the ground would be better than a foot. Actually, now that I think of it, when the car is in neutral and is elevated, the wheels spin very slowly anyway. Is this odd?

No. There are air currents and such that cause the wheels to spin. It means that there is very little friction, which is a good thing.

Jeff

Discount Tire must've mentioned high-speed or static balancing. They are the first ones to let you know that they're not mechanics. All they do are wheels and tires.

It's rare to find a mechanic I deem trustworthy in my area. Good luck with your car.

Are you anywhere near Rochester NY?

Well, I'm taking the car to a mechanic today. Luckily, someone I work with was able to recommend a good garage (we'll see). Hopefully they can find the problem and fix it. They seemed a little perplexed when I spoke with them on the phone...they are already thinking tires. If that's the case, I'm going to try my hardest to use that warranty at Discount Tire.

If the new mechanic starts talking about ball joints and other non-tire parts, tell them you don't understand and ask to see what he's talking about. Not because you think he's being dishonest, but because good mechanics are also good teachers. They know their customers are more comfortable parting with their money when they understand what's being done. If they say no, but sound competent, let them do the work, but maybe find another mechanic for the future. Most shops don't want customers hanging around the car during the entire job, but they shouldn't have a problem with giving a quick tour of the part(s) being fixed. It's your car, after all.

Good advice. I know that when I am working I don't like bystanders. But yes, it is my car and I would like to know as much as I can about it, particularly when I could be dropping a decent amount of money. My co-worker who recommended this mechanic said they would turn down the job if they did not feel comfortable with the work or could not find the problem. I think that is a good level of trust to establish in the car business.

Unbalanced tires.

I had the same issue at speeds over 70 MPH... Even after replacing the struts, the vibration persisted. I just had the tires balanced yesterday ($5/tire at Meineke), and now all vibration is gone, even at high speeds.

Take care,

-Chris

Even after replacing the struts? Did someone tell you to do that as a possible solution to the vibration? Or was it just time to replace them anyway?

Well, the saga continues. I went to a mechanic today and they checked out my car. They said that everything looks good as far as suspension and steering goes... everything is tight, nothing too worn. So, they are as perplexed as I am on this issue. Of course, to investigate any further would require time-- and based on this thread and other people's views, the tires are the problem.

After that, I went back to Discount Tire for the 3rd time. Of course, the same rhetoric, we'll take a look at them and re-balance and re- mount the tires. By the way, the 2nd time I was there they did somehting like a hub balance or check (??) and that did nothing. The good news is, that at around 70mph, the vibration is not as severe. Perhaps they finally got them balanced right after me complaining. They talked about how these tires are more performance oriented (a must on a 1.8L Corolla) and have a bit harder tread than others and that may lead to increased vibration.

In the end, the good news is that my suspension and steering components are OK. The bad news is that I have to deal with these tires until I decide to get a new set...which may be sooner than I had planned. Luckily, Discount Tire said they'd work with me on upgrading to some better tires. Personally, I wish I would have gotten Kuhmos or Perellis-- not the Falkens. Should I stick with Discount Tire or go elsewhere? We shall see...

Someone is either lazy, incompetent, lying, or all three. Find yet another mechanic. There should be NO VIBRATION.

Yep, Discount Tire Co. would be the incompetent ones. Why would the vibration not be as bad as before they rotated and re-balanced the tires? I would trust a mechanic before a tire "specialist." The mechanic drove the car too. D.T. has no idea what the vibration is about... they only know 2 things: balance, rotate.

There is less vibration than before. Logic tells me it's the tires. Monday or Tuesday, I will probably be sporting some new treads... if the vibration persists... hah, well, then I give up.

Yes, but the last mechanic also gave the car a clean bill of health, instead of finding out what the problem was. Don't give up. A suspension problem could get you killed, especially at 70 mph.

I'll add one more thing to my previous response: Stop getting separate things checked by two different places. If you think the "final mechanic" was a good one, ask him to spin balance the tires, EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK DISCOUNT TIRE DID THE BEST POSSIBLE JOB. I'll bet they didn't.

Find a shop with a Hunter Road Force wheel balancer. These machines can detect other problems besides just being out of balance.

Is it possible that wheel bearings could be the culprit?

I think I'm going to take the car back for an inspection and have some scheduled maintenance done. It will end up costing me some money, but I know this way the mechanic can at least find out what the definite cause is of the vibration.

Probably not.

You'll think this next idea is nuts, but it's not as crazy as it sounds. Call the Car Talk radio show that's broadcast on NPR.

You'll have to put up with being briefly razzed, but these guys can usually tell you which mechanical theories are bullshit, and which ones you should focus on. From their web site:

"Car Talk uses voice mail to be fair to people in all the different time zones. Anyone can call anytime they like and leave a message. Every week our Associate Producer Louie Cronin and her staff of lackeys go through the messages and pick a variety to throw at the guys when they go on the air."