Pretty bad shake in steering wheel

[sdhakko]

So I thought that the shake in the steering wheel might be from the tires needing to be balanced, so after just buying all 4 new tires the problem is still there to my surprise. I know that having larger wheels can contribute to this but what else could be causing a shake in the steering wheel?

It doesn't do it at low speeds and it's not when I brake, just from about 45 mph on up. Thanks!

[DrAwkwArD]

Have you had an alignment done?

I am taking my new to me 2010 Pilot in to the dealer to address a similar issue. My steering shake happens after 60mph though.

I'll keep you updated on what I find out.

(Last time I had steering wheel shake, it was my E250 from Houston to Pittsburgh and my wheel bearing disentegrated...that was a really FUN trip, hhahaha)

[SJCPilot]

You might want to have the shop check the balancing of the wheels again. Your type of wheels may be using tape weights and if not properly applied, they can fly off. I would have them check it again to be sure. If not have a rotation of front to back and see if you experience the same shake.

[sdhakko]

Originally Posted by DrAwkwArD

Have you had an alignment done?

I am taking my new to me 2010 Pilot in to the dealer to address a similar issue. My steering shake happens after 60mph though.

I'll keep you updated on what I find out.

(Last time I had steering wheel shake, it was my E250 from Houston to Pittsburgh and my wheel bearing disentegrated...that was a really FUN trip, hhahaha)

Yes I just had an alignment done before I got new tires last week. When putting the wheels on and off could that mess up the alignment?

Originally Posted by SJCPilot

You might want to have the shop check the balancing of the wheels again. Your type of wheels may be using tape weights and if not properly applied, they can fly off. I would have them check it again to be sure. If not have a rotation of front to back and see if you experience the same shake.

Ok I might have them do that, they are tape weights and I see some spots where some used to be. I am wondering if they are the old ones or the new ones that have flown off? Should there always be a weight on the wheel somewhere? I mean a wheel will never be balanced just by itself right with no weights?

[rocky]

Non Standard wheels and tires?
How much heavier than stock are they?

[sdhakko]

Originally Posted by rocky

Non Standard wheels and tires?
How much heavier than stock are they?

Not sure. What is a good method to finding that out?

[SJCPilot]

They tend to fall off depending on how the installers put them on. Greasy wheels or brake dust don't make good contact points.

Rarely wheels are really true and balanced. Imperfect tires can throw a wheel off as well. Just have them checked out again and make sure all wheels zero out on the balance machine.

[sdhakko]

Originally Posted by SJCPilot

They tend to fall off depending on how the installers put them on. Greasy wheels or brake dust don't make good contact points.

Rarely wheels are really true and balanced. Imperfect tires can throw a wheel off as well. Just have them checked out again and make sure all wheels zero out on the balance machine.

Ok thanks for the info. I will call them Monday and see if we can get them checked out.

[rjackal]

Have you checked your compliance bushings? It's a fairly common complaint for '09 - '11 Pilots.

Wheel and Brake vibration - lower control arm bushing

Leaking lower control arm bushing

etc...

[tangotango99]

Originally Posted by sdhakko

Ok thanks for the info. I will call them Monday and see if we can get them checked out.

Nice Pilot, next time block off your tags when posting.

[DrAwkwArD]

Dealership said that my problem was the tires. They swapped the fronts for the rears and now the vibration is in the rear. They're ordering two new tires and they believe that will solve the problem.

I'll let you know if it does.

[sdhakko]

Originally Posted by SJCPilot

They tend to fall off depending on how the installers put them on. Greasy wheels or brake dust don't make good contact points.

Rarely wheels are really true and balanced. Imperfect tires can throw a wheel off as well. Just have them checked out again and make sure all wheels zero out on the balance machine.

Looks like all of my weights are still on the wheels.

Originally Posted by rjackal

Have you checked your compliance bushings? It's a fairly common complaint for '09 - '11 Pilots.

Wheel and Brake vibration - lower control arm bushing

Leaking lower control arm bushing

etc...

Checked all these, but mine don't seem to be leaking any fluid or are even dirty.

Originally Posted by tangotango99

Nice Pilot, next time block off your tags when posting.

Thanks, done.

Originally Posted by DrAwkwArD

Dealership said that my problem was the tires. They swapped the fronts for the rears and now the vibration is in the rear. They're ordering two new tires and they believe that will solve the problem.

I'll let you know if it does.

Please do!

[Yahooligan]

How long have you had those wheels on? When did the vibrations start, do you recall it happening suddenly while driving or did it start after something was done, either some service or letting someone drive it? Sometimes if you can remember when it started that can help nail down what caused it.

[sdhakko]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

How long have you had those wheels on? When did the vibrations start, do you recall it happening suddenly while driving or did it start after something was done, either some service or letting someone drive it? Sometimes if you can remember when it started that can help nail down what caused it.

The wheels were on there when we bought it over a year ago. We both just figured it was from the tires needing to be balanced, so when we bought new tires we were expecting it to be fixed. But it was not, and we have sent the car back twice to get the tires balanced, so it must be something else.

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by sdhakko

The wheels were on there when we bought it over a year ago. We both just figured it was from the tires needing to be balanced, so when we bought new tires we were expecting it to be fixed. But it was not, and we have sent the car back twice to get the tires balanced, so it must be something else.

Ok, so to be clear the vibration has been there since the day you bought it?

If so, I would take it to a decent wheel shop and have them check the fitment. Most aftermarket wheels are lug-centric which can lead to vibration problems like this either due to not truly being centered on the hub or, even if they are, there being too much space between the wheel hub and the axle hub, one decent bump or pothole can knock the wheel off-center and now you get a horrible vibration because the wheel itself isn't rotating around the exact center anymore. The lug nuts taking the brunt of these forces can also end up bending, making it impossible to properly mount the wheels. Wheel weights won't fix a problem of a wheel physically being out of position.

OEM wheels are hub-centric so proper mounting doesn't rely on getting the wheels centered as the lug nuts are tightened.