Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-13-2015, 12:04 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
Vibration from wheels when cold

I have been getting a slight vibration every morning for the first few minutes driving. As the weather has been getting cooler, it seems to be getting more pronounced. But it always clears up and disappears by the time the engine is warm. I've checked the tire pressure all around and it's fine. This never happens in the afternoon.

Any ideas?

__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 12:09 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Top_Ramen's Avatar
Flat spots on tires possibly? Do you daily/regularly drive the 986?
__________________
'99 Porsche Boxster 986 - weekend car
'04 BMW 645ci e63 - daily driver
'98 BMW 528i e39 - dog carrier

Top_Ramen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 12:12 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
Yes, it's my DD. And I've looked at the tires, and didn't see anything amiss. They are old, but with low miles.

Could it be needing an alignment?
__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 12:46 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 347
Garage
That's perfectly normal for cold performance tires to feel a little lumpy at first in colder weather. Driving warms them up and they lose their "flat spot"
Blackcloud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 01:08 PM   #5
Registered User
 
Retroman1969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 856
Hopefully that's all it is, but if it continues to get worse and starts doing it after warmed up, I'd have the tires checked for tread or belt separation.
This can be the first sign of trouble in an older tire and can eventually end somewhat violently.
Probably not the case, but I'm just throwing it out there.
__________________
"Remember, I'm pulling for ya! We're all in this together."
Retroman1969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 01:31 PM   #6
Registered User
 
husker boxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,865
Check the edges of your tires. This happened to me on a different car, but same symptoms. Guy at the tire store found a tire was slightly cupped on a edge. He said when the tire is cold, you drive more on the edges and the issue is more pronounced. When the tire warms up, it runs more on the center.
__________________
GPRPCA Chief Driving Instructor
2008 Boxster S Limited Edition #005
2008 Cayman S Sport - Signal Green
1989 928 S4 5 spd - black
1987 928 S4 - Granite Green Metallic (Felsengrun)
husker boxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 02:04 PM   #7
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
what tire are you running, some are known to flat spot
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 03:15 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
I believe they are the original tires. So, whatever was standard for a base model in 2004.
__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 03:26 PM   #9
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
that could be one of probably 5 different tires
If they are 11 years old, they are dangerous to drive on

If you don't want to spend a lot of $$, look at Sumotomo HTR ZIII You can get a set of 4 in 17" for under $400 for summer tires.

Its a really good performing tire, especially at its cost
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2015, 03:47 PM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: California
Posts: 466
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
I believe they are the original tires. So, whatever was standard for a base model in 2004.
Wow, despite the current problem, it is time for a new set of tires. Do you really want to risk your own and others safety running around on 11 year old tires?

I'll bet you change tires and the problem vanishes too.
__________________
"Blind acceptance is a sign, of stupid fools who stand in line."
Slate 01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 01:58 AM   #11
Registered User
 
Retroman1969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 856
Yikes!
I'll tell this as an extreme example. When I first bought my Jeep Wrangler it was 12 years old but low mileage one owner. The tires looked very good so I didn't think anything of it. Turns out they were original. I began feeling a slight vibration that was getting worse. Thinking it was a frond-end issue (common on Wrangler TJs) I made an appointment to have it checked out. On the way to the shop driving on the turnpike, the left front tire threw its tread! It ripped off the front fender and broke the step bar in half. I was able to keep control and get to the side of the road without hitting anyone but it could have gone much darker.
I've also had older tires on cars in the past that caused vibrations and ended up with either separating belts or bubbles in them. (admittedly doesn't sound like your vibration problem, but still....)
If those are indeed original tires I wouldn't drive another day without replacing them, even if you have to go cheap (I did on my daily, not wanting to continue on the aging Michelins and the cheapie tires have been just fine).
__________________
"Remember, I'm pulling for ya! We're all in this together."

Last edited by Retroman1969; 10-14-2015 at 02:01 AM.
Retroman1969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 08:43 AM   #12
Registered User
 
BYprodriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 3,709
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster View Post
Check the edges of your tires. This happened to me on a different car, but same symptoms. Guy at the tire store found a tire was slightly cupped on a edge. He said when the tire is cold, you drive more on the edges and the issue is more pronounced. When the tire warms up, it runs more on the center.
Guy at tire store is wrong & doesn't know what he is talking about!
__________________
OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods. Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
BYprodriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 09:20 AM   #13
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
Thanks you guys. Would a tire store be able to tell me if these are about to go south?
__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 10:15 AM   #14
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
Check the DOT date code. It is 4 numbers MMYY. If it is more than 5 years old. throw the tires away

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"

Last edited by JayG; 10-14-2015 at 10:25 AM.
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 10:19 AM   #15
Registered User
 
husker boxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,865
There should be a build date stamped on the sidewall. If they're 11 yrs old, they're beyond south.

Byproduct - why do you say he's wrong? I had a wheel bearing going bad that caused the tire issue, but I would only notice the vibration for a short time.
__________________
GPRPCA Chief Driving Instructor
2008 Boxster S Limited Edition #005
2008 Cayman S Sport - Signal Green
1989 928 S4 5 spd - black
1987 928 S4 - Granite Green Metallic (Felsengrun)
husker boxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 10:26 AM   #16
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
Ok, looks like I'm in the market for tires!

Any other recommendations, aside from the Sumotomo HTR ZIII mentioned above?
__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 10:29 AM   #17
Registered User
 
BYprodriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 3,709
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster View Post
There should be a build date stamped on the sidewall. If they're 11 yrs old, they're beyond south.

Byproduct - why do you say he's wrong? I had a wheel bearing going bad that caused the tire issue, but I would only notice the vibration for a short time.
Difference between hot & cold tire will not have any effect on tire wear unless you are over driving on track. Google tire cupping to see if your tire actually was cupping.
__________________
OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods. Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
BYprodriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 10:30 AM   #18
Registered User
 
BYprodriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 3,709
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
Ok, looks like I'm in the market for tires!

Any other recommendations, aside from the Sumotomo HTR ZIII mentioned above?
Go to Tire Rack.com for info & trice guidelines.
__________________
OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods. Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
BYprodriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 11:09 AM   #19
Registered User
 
Finnegan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 455
Yeah, I've used them for years. But wanted to see if anybody here had other recommendations.
__________________
'04 Midnight Blue Metallic 986
Finnegan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2015, 11:31 AM   #20
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
What kind of driving do you do?
Will you be driving in temps below 40f?

__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page