Wobbly Wheels - Help..!

[Dietrich]

Well, I finally got a new set of (used) alloys to replace the steel wheels I've been running up front on my Bravo...

...but the swap didn't go smoothly.

The new wheels are PCD100, so I've used wobbly bolts. I did the relevant research, and I don't see this as a problem. I had to buy new spigot rings, which I did.

The threads on my hubs are pretty screwed, so I need to replace them asap. In the meantime, the bolts have caught thread, so hopefully the wheels aren't going to fall off anytime soon.

I understand wobbly bolts need to "bed in", but should I notice anything during this stage? The problem is a very prominent level of feedback through the steering wheel, at all speeds. The ride just isn't smooth at all. If left alone, the drive remains quite straight, but judders from left to right repeatedly. At first I thought it was because I forgot the spigot rings (oops!) but even with them it's not much better. Can I expect this 'til they bolts have settled in, or is it something more sinister?

If it comes to it, I'll have to get the balance / tracking checked out at the weekend, but I wouldn't have thought it'd make that much of a difference...

Any thoughts..?

Tom

 

[Anonymous]

usually tyre ballance does not affect it at slow speeds. Check that you have no "blebs" in the tyres. all the wheels. This will affect it at all speeds if just one tyre has a "bleb" in it

 

[Dietrich]

Hiya...

Thanks for your response. By "blebs", do you mean lumps / flatspots? It does feel like it could be something like that.

Tom

 

[Tom]

The bolts do not need to bed in, anyone saying this is is a retard.

Either the spigot rings are incorrect or the wheels are bent or they are not sitting flat to the hub face.

 

[Anonymous]

usually tyre ballance does not affect it at slow speeds. Check that you have no "blebs" in the tyres. all the wheels. This will affect it at all speeds if just one tyre has a "bleb" in it

 

[Dietrich]

Well, wobbly bolts are all new to me. I just went on what the guy in the shop said. So, it's not the bolts - thanks...

It's possible the spigot rings are incorrect, but they seemed to be quite a good fit.

I'm seriously hoping the wheels aren't bent... That would be sh*t..! I guess I'll have to find out.

Thanks again.

Tom

 

[Anonymous]

sorry for the 2 replies. isp trouble. Blebs= bumps in tyres , flatspots

 

[Ash]

sounds like they are bent to me. learn a lesson never buy second hand wheels unles you know and trust the seller!

 

[Tom]

Jack the car up and spin the wheels, a bent wheel will show itself very clearly.

 

[Ash]

wise words tom

 

[Tom]

You seen 'The garage' on Discovery? The first series they had a golf in with 18/19" wheels and the owner moaning about vibrations. The wheels were all about 1" out of roundness!

 

[Ash]

lol i watch that too. sad old gits we are

 

[Carroll]

Of course bolts don't need to 'bed-in', but it is often advised to re-check the torque of recently fitted wheel bolts/nuts after a 1000 miles/a week - maybe that was what was being refered to?

Incidently, I had to buy wobbly bolts for one set of alloys I use in the summer on my Marea. The engineer in me dos'nt really like the idea of them, but to be fair, they hav'nt given me any problems. I certainly can't tell the difference, so I guess they can be quite safe enough.

 

[Dietrich]

Thanks for the replies...

Well, considering the guy I bought them from is a BOO member, I figured I could trust him! Still, I haven't identified bent wheels as the cause so I won't point any fingers just yet.

The guy in the shop did mention tightening them periodically, yeah. That's not all he said, but it doesn't matter now.

I'll see if I can pinpoint the problem with all of the above in mind... Fingers crossed they're not just FUBAR.

Thanks again!

Tom

 

[Tom]

Wobbly bolts are no weaker than 'normal' ones. Older Saab stock alloy wheel bolts actually have a lose collar just like a wobbly bolt even though the alloys are perfect fit. It just takes up any minor variance between the hole in the wheel and the hub PCD.