On car balance, is it worth the cost?

[anonymousmoose]

Sorry for the type on the title; should say ON not ONE. Mods feel free to change please.

I'm not going to get into the whole deal with my steering wheel shaking at 100km/h. Its still not sorted. Although pumping the tyres to 40psi is helping quite a bit.

Anyways; I spoke to Wilkinson Suspension Centre in WA, who people say are the best in the state. I told them my problem and they said a car travelling the distance mine has (55,000km) SHOULD not have any issues with the baring, steering rack etc.

They told me to take the car to Bob Jane T-Mart for an on-car-wheel-balance. It costs about $70 for two wheels.

Is it worth forking out that kind of money for this?

ps; wheels were balanced off car 3 times already.

[black as]

Have you tried rotating your tires ?

[anonymousmoose]

Yep. Even got the rims + tyres checked. I'm just wandering if an On-Car-Balance is worth the cost.

Although; this is slightly off topic; my friend who is a parliament member got a brand new VE Berlina, and he says he gets steering vibrations too. Maybe its a commodore thing and maybe its the road.

[black as]

Have a read of this.

Tyre Balance

[davway]

just get new tyres already FFS.

[RIPGMH]

what brand tyre are they???

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Bob Jane use a "finger" balancer that has an adapter that fits into the wheel stud holes on the rim, unlike a "cone" adapter that fits into the centre. The finger balancer is more accurate. Make sure that the next wheel balance is done with this type of adapter and it should fix your problem.

[anonymousmoose]

just get new tyres already FFS.

No need to get nasty. I'm just asking if an on-car-balance is worth doing. I mean for all I know its just another gimmick. If people start getting nasty on a forum just because someone like me comes along who knows nothing about mechanics then why bother having a forum where people can ask for help?

[anonymousmoose]

what brand tyre are they???

Goodyear, Associated Tyre Wholesalers in WA had a look at 'em and they say the tyres are fine.

[anonymousmoose]

Bob Jane use a "finger" balancer that has an adapter that fits into the wheel stud holes on the rim, unlike a "cone" adapter that fits into the centre. The finger balancer is more accurate. Make sure that the next wheel balance is done with this type of adapter and it should fix your problem.

I think thats what WA Suspension did, they used a cone like device to balance them. They showed it to me. But they also say there is another type of balance called 'On Car'. This apparently is even more accurate. I'm just wondering if its a gimmick from Bob Jane or if it really the bees-knees people say it is?

[RIPGMH]

hey mate what brand are the tyres???

[danja]

I got an on-car balance and wheel alignment done a couple years ago, and it was the best alignment I've ever had.

Car was very straight and stable, but still had the steering vibration (lessened, but still there). I get it in the SS too, and I'm starting to think it's just a Commodore thing I wouldn't spend too much money trying to fix it.

To answer your question though, I do think the on-car balance is better, but not that much that I'd spend more than $100 for the whole car.

[wrx884]

u shouldnt need an on car balance but if its the last thing u havent tried then go 4 it its only $70, wats the worse that can happen?

[danja]

u shouldnt need an on car balance but if its the last thing u havent tried then go 4 it its only $70, wats the worse that can happen?

The idea with on-car is that even if you balance it perfectly off the car, if the rotating parts on the car itself aren't balanced, the end product will be vibration. An on-car balance is supposed to be the "ultimate balance" because the spinning mass on the the car, as a whole, is balanced.

If all your wheel bearings, rotors, etc etc are brand new then there probably isn't much advantage. If they are worn or warped it might help.

[vlv8vic]

title changed.

[wrx884]

The idea with on-car is that even if you balance it perfectly off the car, if the rotating parts on the car itself aren't balanced, the end product will be vibration. An on-car balance is supposed to be the "ultimate balance" because the spinning mass on the the car, as a whole, is balanced.

If all your wheel bearings, rotors, etc etc are brand new then there probably isn't much advantage. If they are worn or warped it might help.

Of corse thats the idea but did u see the type of car it is and how many kms its done? its only just been broken in so it shouldnt have those vibrations unless somthing wasnt checked properly from past mechanics which we cant tell unless the cars infront of u. but as i said its only $70 its not exactly breakin the bank so theres no reason y u cant do it.

[anonymousmoose]

I got an on-car balance and wheel alignment done a couple years ago, and it was the best alignment I've ever had.

Car was very straight and stable, but still had the steering vibration (lessened, but still there). I get it in the SS too, and I'm starting to think it's just a Commodore thing I wouldn't spend too much money trying to fix it.

To answer your question though, I do think the on-car balance is better, but not that much that I'd spend more than $100 for the whole car.

Yeh, I am starting to live with it I just wanted to know if the on-car-balance is worth doing in any situation. I have heard from some people an on-car-balance is not worth it but then others claim its the best thing since sliced bread.

[anonymousmoose]

hey mate what brand are the tyres???

Hi mate, you must have missed it a few threads up. The tyres are Goodyear branded. I got them looked at by a Associated Tyre Wholesalers (ATW) in WA (who are recommended by WA Performance. The guys there said the last owner of the car didnt go stingy on them. They are top of the line from that brand.

I also rotated them so I doubt if its the tyres. Plus the guy at ATW said the balance would have shown if the tyres were the problem.

[anonymousmoose]

Of corse thats the idea but did u see the type of car it is and how many kms its done? its only just been broken in so it shouldnt have those vibrations unless somthing wasnt checked properly from past mechanics which we cant tell unless the cars infront of u. but as i said its only $70 its not exactly breakin the bank so theres no reason y u cant do it.

I probably will book it in for a balance and alignment next week. I got Monday off work and may do it then.

[wrx884]

I probably will book it in for a balance and alignment next week. I got Monday off work and may do it then.

just got some word on this was told this is only a temp fix and the vibrations will b back so will b interesting 2 see wat happens let us know.

[davway]

why not take the car back to Holden and get them to find the fault.
thats what a warranty is for isnt it.

[anonymousmoose]

why not take the car back to Holden and get them to find the fault.
thats what a warranty is for isnt it.

Not under warranty, its 5 years old.

[piggavy]

Far out man just buy new tyres!!!

Stop losing sleep over it gosh!

[f1tzy]

Yep thats a great idea. Rather than spending $70 that could possibly fix it just go out and spend $1000 for shits and giggles

[piggavy]

If the issue with your car vibrating is really causing u that much anxiety maybe its time to sell up and get a Vespa.