Wheel Issues

[tluv12]

Im not exactly sure on whats happening here. I have some steering wheel wobble thats not constant, but does wobble most of the time. My front driver side tire on the outside has excessive wear, not all the way around. Its the same with the passenger side front, but instead of outside its the inside. Thankfully I decided to throw my winter tires on now while the weather was sunny and not to cold. I was super close to having a blow out on the passenger side. Any ideas on whats happening?

Thanks,

Tanner

 

[a.nunez]

It sounds like you may need an alignment and the wheels balanced.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

These are classic signs of an out of alignment and out of balance condition. Your Corolla will need a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible or the tires you just installed will wear out prematurely, as the old ones did. An out of alignment condition will also reduce fuel economy and make the suspension components, i.e. tie rod ends, etc., wear out prematurely. A vibration in the steering wheel is almost always due to wheels that need balancing. Tires should be rotated and re-balanced every 6 months, or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first and the 4-wheel alignment should be checked yearly.

Good luck with it.

 

[rolla04]

don't pay for a 4 wheel alignment...our cars can't be adjusted in the rear without shims...very rarely does the back end need adjusted unless it has been in an acident.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

With a vehicle that is designed to have a 4-wheel alignment, that's what it needs. To only align the front wheels is literally doing a half ass job and the vehicle is not properly aligned. Even if the rear wheels didn't need any adjustments, with a 4-wheel alignment the front wheels are aligned in relation to the rear so all four wheels are tracking straight. Also, this allows the steering wheel to be properly centered. Any auto center that performs a 2-wheel alignment on a vehicle designed for a 4-wheel alignment is ripping off the motorist.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist