I bought a 06 Acura TL from my friend last year and the first thing I did was install 4 new tires on it. A few months after that I wanted to replace the wheels because they were so curbed. They looked like my friend parked by Braille. I liked the looks of the simple 5 spoke stock wheels so I bought some replica wheels that can use the oem center cap and ball seat lug nuts. I wanted to save money and not deal with the crowds at my local Discount Tire so I went on the other side of the tracks to get the new wheels installed. They installed them quickly and at a below market price, win win.
I had the front struts and lower control arms replaced right after the wheels. The steering wheel still had a slight vibration while at highway speed. The car is 16 years old with 163,000 miles. I know the other front suspension components are worn out. I decided to keep the car another year since the new car market is still terrible. I replaced the remaining front suspension components and had an alignment. The slight steering wheel vibration was still there. So I made an appointment at Discount, where I bought the tires to have all 4 tires rebalance on their Road Force machine. The tech said they were 3oz off, I would assume that was total for all 4 tires? I can’t see each tire being 3oz off. When I got home I removed the tires to clean off the old weight residue and noticed the weights on both sides of the wheel. One side had 1oz and the other had 3/4oz. The first tire shop only put weights on one side of the wheel.
I didn’t have any vibration through the steering wheel on the drive home, it was super smooth. I learned my lesson, cheap and quick isn’t always the right decision to make, especially with something that is important like car tires.
I had the front struts and lower control arms replaced right after the wheels. The steering wheel still had a slight vibration while at highway speed. The car is 16 years old with 163,000 miles. I know the other front suspension components are worn out. I decided to keep the car another year since the new car market is still terrible. I replaced the remaining front suspension components and had an alignment. The slight steering wheel vibration was still there. So I made an appointment at Discount, where I bought the tires to have all 4 tires rebalance on their Road Force machine. The tech said they were 3oz off, I would assume that was total for all 4 tires? I can’t see each tire being 3oz off. When I got home I removed the tires to clean off the old weight residue and noticed the weights on both sides of the wheel. One side had 1oz and the other had 3/4oz. The first tire shop only put weights on one side of the wheel.
I didn’t have any vibration through the steering wheel on the drive home, it was super smooth. I learned my lesson, cheap and quick isn’t always the right decision to make, especially with something that is important like car tires.