Still having tire problems - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

DenverSteve · 12-18-2011, 06:51 PM

You've tried several tires, had them properly balanced and still have the problem. It's not your tires. Don't worry about "flat spots". I've driven 4 Porsches over the years with 2 being Boxsters and I've NEVER had a problem like you describe and I work out of town 3-4 weeks at a time. I get home, remove the dust from the car, drive off and everything's perfect.

Like stated above you need to take your car to someone who can diagnose this in person, not on the forum. You've got an issue - not tire related. You have a problem that resolves its symptoms when it warms up. So leave it somewhere overnight - with a qualified indie or dealer mechanic and see where it goes. Good luck.

healthservices · 12-18-2011, 07:17 PM

I wonder if it could be a bad shock issue. Is there someone with a know good set of wheels you swap on?

Yes drive shafts can give you a issue similar to wheel balance but because your shafts are in the rear I don't see it affecting the steering wheel.

drive shafts tend to vibrate during acceleration and tend to go away when speed is maintained

BYprodriver · 12-19-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

You've tried several tires, had them properly balanced and still have the problem. It's not your tires. Don't worry about "flat spots". I've driven 4 Porsches over the years with 2 being Boxsters and I've NEVER had a problem like you describe and I work out of town 3-4 weeks at a time. I get home, remove the dust from the car, drive off and everything's perfect.

Like stated above you need to take your car to someone who can diagnose this in person, not on the forum. You've got an issue - not tire related. You have a problem that resolves its symptoms when it warms up. So leave it somewhere overnight - with a qualified indie or dealer mechanic and see where it goes. Good luck.

Actually I believe the problem started when he put hankook tires on his car & nothing else was changed. If that is correct I can troubleshoot his car via this forum.

healthservices · 12-19-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Actually I believe the problem started when he put hankook tires on his car & nothing else was changed. If that is correct I can troubleshoot his car via this forum.

We are assuming he is giving us all the pertinent info, this is not always the case with all people on all posts.

I cannot count how many times I've diagnose problems with false or missing info over the phone or email, because the tech did not think it was pertinent to the problem.

BYprodriver · 12-19-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthservices

We are assuming he is giving us all the pertinent info, this is not always the case with all people on all posts.

I cannot count how many times I've diagnose problems with false or missing info over the phone or email, because the tech did not think it was pertinent to the problem.

His original post was detailed enough for such a simple issue but I believe he is listening too much to otherwise qualified mechanics. When I was in charge of maintenance for PCNA's press fleet cars I had to school the service advisor at the local Porsce dealership. Way to many old-wives-tales still alive about tires.

MileHighBoxster · 12-31-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Actually I believe the problem started when he put hankook tires on his car & nothing else was changed. If that is correct I can troubleshoot his car via this forum.

Well then put your expertise where his problem is. If you can troubleshoot his problem, don't spew it, do it. What are you waiting for, he's been waiting for weeks on you? When you open the door, it's time to put up or....... He's had it balanced several times, and he's changed his tires at least 4 times with no result. I see from your previous posts on this thread, you have NOT solved his problem.

BYprodriver · 12-31-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

Well then put your expertise where his problem is. If you can troubleshoot his problem, don't spew it, do it. What are you waiting for, he's been waiting for weeks on you? When you open the door, it's time to put up or....... He's had it balanced several times, and he's changed his tires at least 4 times with no result. Solve this oh self-admitted expert. It's beyond, me as it is to all here so far.

By my math he has been waiting 44 min. plus the additional delay you are causing. I'm so sorry I was on a lunch break.

MileHighBoxster · 01-03-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

By my math he has been waiting 44 min. plus the additional delay you are causing. I'm so sorry I was on a lunch break.

How's that lunch going? Two weeks and he's still waiting.

MileHighBoxster · 12-31-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Actually I believe the problem started when he put hankook tires on his car & nothing else was changed. If that is correct I can troubleshoot his car via this forum.

Hmmm. You posted the above on 12/19 - what's the problem?

My suggestion would normally be, if your entire problem started with a simple tire install, to go back to the place that did the initial work and have them replace your tires and balance your car. If they created the problem, they should fix it. If it was perfect prior to the install, the install is the problem. However, I see from your first post, weeks ago, that you bought the tires and then had them installed by someone else. I would always buy the tires locally, and have them installed in the same shop so that if there was a problem, they could take care of it for you.

MileHighBoxster · 01-06-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Actually I believe the problem started when he put hankook tires on his car & nothing else was changed. If that is correct I can troubleshoot his car via this forum.

Good thing he took care of this. I guess he couldn't wait for your troubleshoot.:dance:

DenverSteve · 01-06-2012, 05:39 PM

Glad you found the wheel problem. The shops should have been able to figure this out weeks ago. You can get some really good wheel deals on Ebay, and maybe from a local wheel shop near you. Get on to smooth sailing.

BYprodriver · 01-07-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

Good thing he took care of this. I guess he couldn't wait for your troubleshoot.:dance:

All I can do is ask the right questions, if the questions are not answered the troubleshooting process stalls.

I can help you too: were you breastfed as a child? :troll:

Hootie · 01-13-2012, 06:47 PM

FYI, my situation continues to mirror the OP's. My front tires had plenty of tread so i didnt think they were the problem, but psgr side was leaking so i took it in for repair. Shop found they were dry rotted and psgr side had a knot on the inside that was unrepairable. Said both had flat spots too. These tires had sat up for a long time because a previous owner didn't drive it much. Rears were rplcd recently and are in good shape.

So I got the Nexens on the front, $240 mounted and road force balanced. Only problem is shop said the psgr front wheel had a ding in it; not bad but probably bad enough to feel it.

Based on first test drive, the high speed shudder is gone. I believe now it was mostly due to the bad tire. But can still feel some unwanted vibration... I still probably need a 18" front wheel and maybe a motor mount. I'm at 80K miles.

But the good news is I can relax about a front end rebuild, at least for awhile.

fullthrottle52 · 02-28-2012, 02:16 PM

Hello to all,
I started this tread some time ago. I received a lot of help and ideas. I wanted everyone to know that I finally resolved the problem this weekend. After all the issues with my tires, I still had a very bad high speed vibration in the steering wheel. I was ready to order some new rims and spend $500 to $700 on new rims for the front tires. As a last ditch effort I went to a tire store with a road force balancer. I told them I purchased the tires from another store of the same franchise and they can't get them to run smooth. They took the car right in dismounted the tires then remounted and roadforce balanced them. I was then told that they ran out great but the drivers side rear tire is not right. They can't get it balanced right because it has a high spot in it. they then ordered a new tire at no charge. They put it on today and WOW. I now have a very smooth running Box. I am a very happy camper again. I can't believe I have battled this since August. I am posting this back on here because there has to be a lessen here.

P.S. The tire store that solved my problem got 3 large pizzas delivered to them today for lunch. Cheap price to pay for great service and a fix.

Thanks again for everyone who helped.

wvboxst3r · 02-28-2012, 05:08 PM

As stated earlier, tires can be the culprit. I know it blew my mind when it happened to me several days and sets and balances. Nothing until they traded out the tires, then you like wow.

Good to hear you figured it out, my guessing the other store did not want to switch you tires.

Johnny Danger · 02-28-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullthrottle52

Hello to all,
I started this tread some time ago. I received a lot of help and ideas. I wanted everyone to know that I finally resolved the problem this weekend. After all the issues with my tires, I still had a very bad high speed vibration in the steering wheel. I was ready to order some new rims and spend $500 to $700 on new rims for the front tires. As a last ditch effort I went to a tire store with a road force balancer. I told them I purchased the tires from another store of the same franchise and they can't get them to run smooth. They took the car right in dismounted the tires then remounted and roadforce balanced them. I was then told that they ran out great but the drivers side rear tire is not right. They can't get it balanced right because it has a high spot in it. they then ordered a new tire at no charge. They put it on today and WOW. I now have a very smooth running Box. I am a very happy camper again. I can't believe I have battled this since August. I am posting this back on here because there has to be a lessen here.

P.S. The tire store that solved my problem got 3 large pizzas delivered to them today for lunch. Cheap price to pay for great service and a fix.

Thanks again for everyone who helped.

It's not uncommon to see a brand new high performance low profile tire out of spec. I experienced this on two separate occasions with a pair of Goodyear Eagle F1's . Simple dynamic balancing will not detect this problem.