Re: new rims + tires,now a wobble in back end, adv (archive)

You said the wobble went from RR to LR (when they swapped the wheels during the balance check). This definitely point to wheel problem. Now, whether or not your axle got damaged due to the wheel is another story.

However, IMHO, it is quite difficult to screw up your axle due to a crooked / bent wheel. It needs to be mighty bent (in which case, you will REALLY feel it when driving it and probably will not be able to drive it comfortably at all) to start screwing up your axle, especially with only 150mi on it.

Things to check:
1. Does the aftermarket wheels require the hubcentric ring? (black plastic ring between the hub and your rim) If yes, check if that is missing when installed.
2. When installing your original wheel back (assuming it's OEM BMW), you need to make sure the hubcentric ring is NOT installed.
3. Visual inspection of the hub. Look for deformation / abrasion. This may happen due to improper installation of wheels.

Hope this helps. Please post back your finding so we can help you more....

Pete (not from tirerack)

Last friday, tirerack delivered to my mechanic new rims + tires. After the combo was bolted on I thought it felt fine. It felt nice and straight. I was to bring it back for an alignment the next monday. They did some FRONT end work and completed the alignment to the near perfect specs. They didn't test drive it after the work was done. On the way home, I got 6 miles and a driver pointed to my back end with concern. The RR wheel was wobbling.

I brought it back the next day to be checked. They checked the balance. They said it was all fine. The next day another driver said my LR wheel was wobbling. (They obviously fliped flopped the wheels from L to R when they checked the balance.) I didn't feel hardly any signs of this. I called the mechanic and he said it was fine. HUH?????? FINE?????

I took his word for it and drove it a couple more days. Today, I adjusted the rearview mirror to see the problem and I was amazed. It seems to wobble at least an inch.

I changed back to my old perfectly straight wheels. Still the same wobble. Since the new rims I've put about 150 miles on the car.

Here are some questions...did I get a crooked rim? Did driving it how I was advized eventually make the problem worse and bend my axle? How much am i looking at to get it fixxed? What should they pay for?? (if anything)

I am at my whit's end with this shop and am seriously thinking about dropping them.

I really hope someone reads this long sob story and gives me their advice.

TIA
-tom

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