Shaking over 70 mph, soooo confused - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

anti-bling · 02-29-2012, 12:57 PM

As the title says, my 986 1997 shakes like it needs a balance over 70 mph. I have had all 4 wheels balanced numerous times and rechecked more. Tire pressures are the same and good...I don't know what it could be. It's deffinately not the engine or trans. Steeringwheel shakes and car occasionally shakes. Gets progressive with more speed. Should I try another balance shop?

ppbon · 02-29-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anti-bling

As the title says, my 986 1997 shakes like it needs a balance over 70 mph. I have had all 4 wheels balanced numerous times and rechecked more. Tire pressures are the same and good...I don't know what it could be. It's deffinately not the engine or trans. Steeringwheel shakes and car occasionally shakes. Gets progressive with more speed. Should I try another balance shop?

... the tire's tread.
It could have a bulge or the wheel could be damaged.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

UNYboater · 03-01-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppbon

... the tire's tread.
It could have a bulge or the wheel could be damaged.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Hmmm, voice of experience?

I saw your pictures on your site...

I'm hoping to join you one of these years!

I do hope the balancing takes care of it, though.

97 Boxster · 03-02-2012, 09:55 AM

UPDATE : Car has been at a Road Force shop with the proper gear and its NOT the what we thought

. Looks like the tires might be the culprit as previously mentioned. Shop said that Heavy "V" directional tires might be to blame. Has anybody heard this before? They are going to put 2 tires on the front and we are going to give that a go and see if it works

. If so I will update.

Current tires are have a very aggressive V pattern now so I am having shop place a good low pro non directional tire on to see how that improves the "SHAKES".

ProjectM96 · 03-02-2012, 10:18 AM

I had a very similar problem recently. I replaced the inner tie rod and it was fixed. No more shaking or feeling of imbalance at 70mph+.

97 Boxster · 03-02-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProjectM96

I had a very similar problem recently. I replaced the inner tie rod and it was fixed. No more shaking or feeling of imbalance at 70mph+.

Thanks projectm96 for that info. I had all that checked so we will see what happens with the new tires. Waiting for the call now.

thstone · 02-29-2012, 03:11 PM

I hear you. I had to have my tires balanced three times before they actually got it right.

The last time I asked the manager to tell the tech to spend an extra minute and be sure that he got the balance right for high speed running.

Also be sure and ask for them to use the glue on weights that balance the wheel in two axis (axes?) and not the cheap crimp on weight on the inner wheel lip.

97 Boxster · 02-29-2012, 03:15 PM

I have the same problem and am looking for answers. I need to have a rebalance done asap as this 70mph shimmy bugs me like crazy.

BYprodriver · 02-29-2012, 03:20 PM

Let your fingers do the walking & call the shop first & ask if they will do a " dual plane backside dynamic balance to 1 gram tolerance with stickon weights" if they can't or won't keep searching.

97 Boxster · 02-29-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Let your fingers do the walking & call the shop first & ask if they will do a " dual plane backside dynamic balance to 1 gram tolerance with stickon weights" if they can't or won't keep searching.

Thanks byprodriver. I will call around. Is this type of setup familiar to shops?

anti-bling · 02-29-2012, 04:28 PM

Tread is good and no bulge. I can't believe how many others have this problem!!! It sucks

. I'm going to try a more well known tire place and let you all know.

BYprodriver · 02-29-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 Boxster

Thanks byprodriver. I will call around. Is this type of setup familiar to shops?

With the current trend of hiring cheap inexperienced labor maybe not, but should be part of balancing 101. Dynamic balancing measures lateral or side to side balance as well as static or up & down balance & is indicated by having weights on inner & outer edge of the wheel. Backside means all weights are positioned behind the "face" of the wheel.

jacabean · 02-29-2012, 05:14 PM

check your suspension , something might be worn out.

jaykay · 03-01-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Let your fingers do the walking & call the shop first & ask if they will do a " dual plane backside dynamic balance to 1 gram tolerance with stickon weights" if they can't or won't keep searching.

man was there a time when I needed these words ready to roll of my tongue!

manolo · 02-29-2012, 03:28 PM

Is the car modified at all? I chased a similar issue that turned out to be lower quality front spacers. Even after balancing the problem remained. I will only use H&R's now, lesson learned. I also noticed some vibration at freeway speeds before I replaced frt engine mount, but that won't cause steering wheel to shake. Just FYI.

landrovered · 03-01-2012, 01:02 PM

Checking for worn components is easy, jack the wheels one at a time (unless you have a lift) check for play at 12&6 and then 3&9

fullthrottle52 · 03-02-2012, 05:01 PM

Check over on the general discussions section and do a search for "tire problems".
I posted a similar problem recently and chased the monkey for 4 months. I was just about to buy new rims for the front (tire place told me I had bent rims) when I took the car to a tire store with a road force balancer. They gave me back my car in less than an hour and it ran really smooth. The also found a new tire on the rear that had a high spot in it (Michelin Pilot Sports). Replaced and now all the vibration is gone. Drives smooth as silk.
P.S. I ask the guy who did the balance what he did to make the shakes go away. He just smiled at me and said "I'm just damn good at what I do". End of questions. I just drove it home with a big smile on my face.

97 Boxster · 03-02-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullthrottle52

Check over on the general discussions section and do a search for "tire problems".
I posted a similar problem recently and chased the monkey for 4 months. I was just about to buy new rims for the front (tire place told me I had bent rims) when I took the car to a tire store with a road force balancer. They gave me back my car in less than an hour and it ran really smooth. The also found a new tire on the rear that had a high spot in it (Michelin Pilot Sports). Replaced and now all the vibration is gone. Drives smooth as silk.
P.S. I ask the guy who did the balance what he did to make the shakes go away. He just smiled at me and said "I'm just damn good at what I do". End of questions. I just drove it home with a big smile on my face.

FT 52 - Thats basically the same response I had today. I told them I wouldnt pay until they could find the problem. He said it was simple, I noticed you had cheap directional tires and after inspecting all the suspension components it was a simple solution - put some good tires on and check it out. By checking it out he made me take him on the highway to 85-90 with NO VIBES. Thats one confident guy.

97 Boxster · 03-02-2012, 05:15 PM

FullThrottle - forgot to say to be safe. Your in KY right? Hope your safe from the storms.

fullthrottle52 · 03-02-2012, 06:04 PM

We had to hunker down in a basement today for about 2 hours. 15 miles north of us got hit pretty bad. Whole town pretty much wiped out. Worst of the storms went just north of us in Southern Indiana and another bad cell went about 20 miles south. We were very lucky that Louisville did not take a direct hit.
Did get pretty hairy though.

Thanks for asking.

P.S. I'm glad you solved your problems. I will only put OEM tires on from now on. Cheap tires will cost you in the long run.