Well there are several topics on this and I've posted about it before (a long while ago) but want to consolidate everything and ask once more to get rid of the confusion. First the history:
- The vibration started as a steering wheel vibration after I got my 20" OZ Canyon wheels (now Aiya has those without any problems). The centering rings that came with the wheels were incorrect size and dealership asked me if I'd like to get them mounted on without the rings. I asked if that'd be dangerous and they said "No it'd just wobble for a while. It'll go away when we get the correct rings". TireRack sent the incorrect size rings once more and I drove the car like that for 1.5 weeks.
Now what it is NOT:
- It is not a balance issue. I've changed 4 sets of wheels, 5 sets of tires and it has stayed there. I've paid for almost 6-7 balances, 2 alignments. None of them solved it completely
- It is not the drive shaft. That has been replaced
- It is not the steering wheel column. That has been replaced
- It is not the drive axles, those have been replaced as well
- It is not the front hub bearings. Both front hub assemblies have been changed
- It is not the spacers I have now. It was there before
- It is not a centering ring issue on an aftermarket wheel. I have/had stockers on the FX. Vibration was there
- It is not a tire issue. I have changed numerous tires on different sizes both new and used.
- It is not the brakes. No shimmy when braking and I've changed both my rotors and pads numerous times
Now the symptoms:
- The vibration happens close and after 80 mph. It's most obvious around 90-100
- You feel it mostly on the seat, not the steering wheel. There is an occasional steering wheel shimmy but mostly it's not there
- No sound from the bearings
- It feels like the vibration happens when the car/weather is cold. It gradually reduces after a while. I played with various tire pressure settings from 32 to 37 psi without any consistent change
- It feels like the vibration starts after I make a right turn. Can't confirm this but I feel like it's mostly after a right turn
Dealership efforts and results:
- They've changed almost everything described above on the "not" part, including 2 sets of rotors, under warranty
- They've played with the steering wheel "tightening" bolt. It improved vibration and pushed it from 65-70 mph to 80+ range. Every "not" above applies to 60-70 mph range vibration as well.
- They've changed the front bearings, one by one, under warranty.
- The service manager and I became buddies after all this..
Misc stuff:
- I feel like whenever there's a work done on suspensions & wheels such as changing wheels or adding the GTSpec strut brace, there's a temporary improvement
- I feel like the vibration is most obvious when in cold weather. Any expanding & contracting parts? I don't think that can be the case but not sure really..
- About a month before I got the OZ Canyon wheels I explained above, I scratched my OEM 18" wheels badly by hitting a curb around 30-40 mph. I thought about a bent suspension but then it'd be obvious when I did the alignment. Maybe something loose on the left side of the car??
ANY help is appreciated.. I've had this for about 2 years now and I'm really getting tired of it. If I sell my FX, it'll be because of this..
Ege
- The vibration started as a steering wheel vibration after I got my 20" OZ Canyon wheels (now Aiya has those without any problems). The centering rings that came with the wheels were incorrect size and dealership asked me if I'd like to get them mounted on without the rings. I asked if that'd be dangerous and they said "No it'd just wobble for a while. It'll go away when we get the correct rings". TireRack sent the incorrect size rings once more and I drove the car like that for 1.5 weeks.
Now what it is NOT:
- It is not a balance issue. I've changed 4 sets of wheels, 5 sets of tires and it has stayed there. I've paid for almost 6-7 balances, 2 alignments. None of them solved it completely
- It is not the drive shaft. That has been replaced
- It is not the steering wheel column. That has been replaced
- It is not the drive axles, those have been replaced as well
- It is not the front hub bearings. Both front hub assemblies have been changed
- It is not the spacers I have now. It was there before
- It is not a centering ring issue on an aftermarket wheel. I have/had stockers on the FX. Vibration was there
- It is not a tire issue. I have changed numerous tires on different sizes both new and used.
- It is not the brakes. No shimmy when braking and I've changed both my rotors and pads numerous times
Now the symptoms:
- The vibration happens close and after 80 mph. It's most obvious around 90-100
- You feel it mostly on the seat, not the steering wheel. There is an occasional steering wheel shimmy but mostly it's not there
- No sound from the bearings
- It feels like the vibration happens when the car/weather is cold. It gradually reduces after a while. I played with various tire pressure settings from 32 to 37 psi without any consistent change
- It feels like the vibration starts after I make a right turn. Can't confirm this but I feel like it's mostly after a right turn
Dealership efforts and results:
- They've changed almost everything described above on the "not" part, including 2 sets of rotors, under warranty
- They've played with the steering wheel "tightening" bolt. It improved vibration and pushed it from 65-70 mph to 80+ range. Every "not" above applies to 60-70 mph range vibration as well.
- They've changed the front bearings, one by one, under warranty.
- The service manager and I became buddies after all this..
Misc stuff:
- I feel like whenever there's a work done on suspensions & wheels such as changing wheels or adding the GTSpec strut brace, there's a temporary improvement
- I feel like the vibration is most obvious when in cold weather. Any expanding & contracting parts? I don't think that can be the case but not sure really..
- About a month before I got the OZ Canyon wheels I explained above, I scratched my OEM 18" wheels badly by hitting a curb around 30-40 mph. I thought about a bent suspension but then it'd be obvious when I did the alignment. Maybe something loose on the left side of the car??
ANY help is appreciated.. I've had this for about 2 years now and I'm really getting tired of it. If I sell my FX, it'll be because of this..
Ege
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