Vibration

[easywind]

Just got a 89 Festiva with 116,000 miles and did a 4 wheel alignment and put on Mazda wheels with new 155/80/13's. I have a slight vibration at 65/70 and above 70 it becomes more pronounced. I had two shops check the front end and am told nothing is needed. What could be causing this problem. I'm also suspecting that all steering components are original. I will be checking motor and trans mounts.
Thanks for all help.

[roycehof]

That seems more like a wheel balance type of thing. I would not suspect engine or trans issues. Old rule of thumb (at least for rear wheel drive cars) was driveline issues vibrate around 15 to 40 MPH, wheel balance and suspension issues are 55MPH or more. This little rule has help me locate problems for many years. Hope it helps you.

[roycehof]

Oh Yeah - One last rule of thumb I added when Steel Belted Radials hit the scene (Boy am I old). Ride problems at less than 15 MPH - check the tires - Usually a bent rim or broken belt (or rear whell drive - bent axle shaft)

[easywind]

Checked the engine and trans mounts and everything is tight. Wheels and tires were balanced when put on car. And for what it's worth I'm 64 going on 12.

[25Horseplay]

I agree with the wheel balance being off. I have had new tires balanced incorrectly before. Might have a bad tire, I have seen that before also.

[wrestler3025]

I agree with Brian and roycehof. I would also say a tire balancing issue. I've had to take a set back before the next day after they were balanced. I have also see the bad tire issue as well. I would check into those two arenas.

[worfdog]

check for tires out of round also. that was my problem last year.mine started vibrating at about 55 mph.

[gdawgs]

Here's a quick way to check tire balance without the interaction of other suspension components.

1. Set your parking brake(if it works). If it doesn't work (like mine) chock the rear tires.
2. Jack up one of the front wheels. Probably best to put it on a jack stand, but I usually don't for this.
3. Start the engine, put the car in 5th gear if manual, D if auto.
4. Slowly increase the speed until the speed reads approximately 40 mph on the speedo(don't crank it up too fast. With only one wheel spinning, it is turning twice as fast as what the speedo says)
5. If the tire is properly balanced you won't feel any vibration in the steering wheel.
6. Repeat for other side.

If you don't have any vibrations when doing this, you have some other suspension issues. Most likely it will be tires though(either balancing or a bad tire). These little wheels/tires are very touchy when it comes to balancing.

[philiow313]

I disagree with your method 'gdawgs.' With a properly balanced wheel and tire combo and the wheels off of the ground, we still get crazy vibrations on any car when we are looking for noises at the shop.

I agree however with roycehof, get your wheel balance/tire pressures checked. also make sure those wheels mount hub-centric to your festy! If they do not fit correctly that will also cuase a vibration, however that would be very apparent at most speeds.

[GenevaDirt]

bent rim?

[gdawgs]

On any car?! If so, there are other issues. I've done this with just about every car I've owned, and I can assure you there are not crazy vibrations on mine.
I used to go to a guy who balanced wheels this way(before modern balancers). He had some sort of gizmo that clamped onto the wheel, then he had a motor that would spin the wheel. The gizmo had some adjusters on it and he would keep adjusting until the vibrations(he typically felt the fenders) went away. Then when he stopped the wheel, the gizmo would tell him how much weight was needed and where to place it. These were some of the best wheel balances I ever got. Much more time consuming than the modern balancers though.

[easywind]

I will be going back to the tire shop and see if it's a tire issue before pursuing this any further, thanks all.

[redfestiva]

Try putting the front tires on the back and the back tires on the front and see if it makes a difference.

[easywind]

Took the car in to have the tires rebalanced, the tires were balanced properly before but the tires were taken off the rims and the rims spun on the machine which proved the wheels are balanced. The tires were inspected for cuts, abrasions etc and they are good. Tires put back on car, front end inspected and everything looks good, ball joints, tie rods cv joints etc and I still have a 65mph vibration. What to do now?????????

[philiow313]

check bearings?