[Shotimes] Shimmy

[George Fourchy]

On Wed, 2 Jul 2003 16:03:40 -0500, Dave Kegel wrote:

>If this is the case, then he needs to fix the source of the problem, not
>cover it up by balancing on the car.  Balancing on the car would mean he now
>can't rotate his tires without going through on the car balancing again.

That's very true.  But for now, he needs to be able to drive the car without going
nuts.

If a tire takes 1/2 ounce on an otherwise dependable and accurate computer balancer,
but takes 3 ounces on the car, then obviously there is a problem with that
hub/brake.  If it only takes another 1/2 ounce, then there really is no problem. 
The difference here is just added adjustment needed due to the inertia created with
a REALLY high speed spin, rather than the slow speed spin of the off-car machine. 
The basic question then is.....

How badly does he want his car to not vibrate? 

Can he put up with a small amount, like everyone does that buys "cheap" cars....
those that cost less than 35K or so?  Those are the ones that don't have properly
balanced hubs/axles/brakes.  Two Lexus (what's the plural of Lexus?) we have driven,
one owned, one loaned, both have _"perfect"_ balances on their wheels....our RX has
had 3 rotations in 12K miles over two years....never a shimmy, and never a
rebalance.  The CVic has had constant balance problems, even when I spin them, due
to totally cheap tires and less than perfect hubs.   With new Michelins, it is
better, but not perfect, and not rotatable without rebalancing.

You get what you pay for.

George