wheel balance, alignment or something else?

[powayroger]

I’m hoping that my truck only needs the tires balanced, which I will be getting this upcoming Tuesday (Getting 2 new tires), but just checking.

I have a 01 Chevy Silverado 2wd with 91000 miles on it. It’s been a great truck on lots of adventures. I’ve been monitoring the tires, like all good owners. I had 1 tire replaced this spring, and figured 2 others (both of the fronts) would need replacing this winter, and I’m about right (The irregular replacement of tires is due to getting 2 separate punctures (resulting in replacement) flats on separate trips to Death Valley, roughly a year apart.).

But 3 weeks ago, I started to notice the steering wheel shake at speeds up to 40 mph (worst at low speeds). Today, while looking at the tires that are set to be replaced (Wearing evenly, for the most part). I noticed that the right front tire had a section on the outside that had worn past the tread.
Could this just be a balancing issue, or something issue (Alignment, maybe parts needing replacement), and if so, what?


Thanks.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Not likely balancing if it is causing tire wear. Generally balancing causes discomfort, not wear.

Also probably not alignment - alignment usually doesn't cause steering wheel vibration but can and will cause abnormal tire wear. If a really bad alignment is neglected a really long time I suppose that some wear patterns could develop into a vibration but it probably wouldn't start as suddenly as you've reported.

At first glance, you may have something else going on which is making your wheel wobble - failing wheel bearing, bent wheel, blown tire belt, blown shock(s), corrosion under a newly replaced set of front rotors or really poorly made rotors.

I'd get a mechanic to check it right away - some of the possibilities on the list can be dangerous. If there's a problem with the vehicle you don't want to mount a new set of tires and wear those weird too.

 

[Chris142]

Being out of alignment won't cause a shimmy. Shimmy is as Craig said.......Tire/Wheel related.

 

[powayroger]

Thanks guys. I made an appointment and took it down. Stupid me should have looked at the tire better. The tire has a budge in it, so I'm glad the tire waited until the end of it's life to start to fail. Buying the new set today.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: powayroger
Thanks guys. I made an appointment and took it down. Stupid me should have looked at the tire better. The tire has a budge in it, so I'm glad the tire waited until the end of it's life to start to fail. Buying the new set today.


Well, at least the answer is pretty clear, unquestionable, and the fix is an expense you planned on.