Uneven wearing and road noise.

[Pisces69]

If u have uneven tire wear, it's most prop worn dampers(shocks) but depends on type of uneven wear. Cud also be alignment problems if outer or inner tire edge has feathering.

 

Vibrating steering at speeds above say; 60-80km/h, prob wheel balancing problems.

 

Sharp turns with a "tok tok tok" sound is worn CV joints.

 

Sometimes with uneven tire wear due to worn shocks, u will get the "wong wong" sound as the uneven tire rotates (bounces) along the road.

 

Run your palm along the threads of the tire. You may feel the uneveness if u do it carefully.

 

Have a good & honest mechanic check your car for u.

Edited October 20, 2005 by Pisces69

[Jlim]

no didn't see no feather anyway whats feathering?

 

but the wong wong sound is not very constant, running at same speed, on level ground dun have sound, going uphill very obvious, thats what I found out because went to Ngee Ann Poly and many hills there. But normally on outside road, sometimes at slow speed can hear the wong wong sound lah.

 

anyway will go back to workshop get opinion again. I did feel the back tire before and indeed the centre portion protuding more than the sides.

[Chevy1]

Hmm..so got any feedback from workshop? I curious to know....

[Pisces69]

Feathering is a wavey effect on the edges of a tire if the alignment is out. Looks abit like awavey feather.

 

If your tire pressures r correct, tire more worn on edges cud mean alignment.

 

U also get it with too low tire pressures. It is also possible with independent suspension if the car is overloaded often. Best to let your reliable tireman check it for you.

[Genie47]

For bearings, the wong wong sound will become louder and louder as you go faster. For tire noises, depending on the tire, the sound becomes drowned as you go faster. Mine comes from 50-80kph. More passengers on board, louder at this speed range.

[Jlim]

dun see any feathery like patterns. well also depends on what bird you talking abt

 

well I believe maybe alignment, yet to let the workshop check. But alignent was done by them the last time round so a little go back to them or not

 

anyway both the rear tires have eneven wear, both gotta go.

 

will let them check on the 'tuck tuck tuck tuck' sound when turning also. xiong!

 

oh, how do you tell of bad shocks? I manually tested by giving the rear left and right hard press see the bounce ok, only one bounce stopped.

Edited October 22, 2005 by Jlim

[Jlim]

thats very difficult to tell then. if I can recall, 'wong wong' sound very obvious when slow, it becomes faster together with car speed but not louder (mayb just a little) .

 

Next got to invite some people sit in car test with load

 

Hope it is just the tires and alighment. If still got to repair bearing xianz.

[Pisces69]

If u let ws do the alignment, most prob they just do the mechanical type which is not good enough.

 

U sud send for a computerised 4 wheel alignment which sud cost about $50 to $60 for all 4 wheels.

 

This will check camber, toe in-out & maybe castor also (although mine cannot adjust castor)

 

The tok tok sound is almost 100% drive shaft (CV joint) worn out. Jap car will cost abt $300 for new OEM replacements. Don't get the re-con replacements as they don't last very long.

 

U can also tell when u go over hump. Does the car keep bouncing more than normal? Then it's time to change.

 

I get the japan OEM replacements from a shop at race course road area. About $300 total for all 4 with labour charge from your own ws.

[Jlim]

the wokshop do have computerised alignment though.

 

but for the CV, it is part of the drive shaft or a seperate part? dunno whether to fix it or not also, very long time issue already, and mine is end 98 car.

 

bouncing is ok lah, one bounce finish. unless very big hump and speed then two bounce and the refree will blow for travelling.

[Pisces69]

If the computerised 4 wheel alignment is properly done, u sud b able to feel the car more stable & sure footed.

 

CV joint is the end knuckle of the driveshaft part. If only CV worn (which is mostly the case), just change it. Driveshaft seldom need change as it's just a straight metal rod that connects the gearbox to the CV joint.

 

Make sure they also change the rubber boot when they change the CV joint.

 

If the tok tok sound is not too bad, just drive till it gets very bad then change. Just don't acclerate too hard when steering is at or near full lock.

 

OK if bounce not bad, just drive lah. Why waste your $$$. It's ok for refree to blow whistle for travelling once in awhile.

[Xtravel]

how about camber kit ? what are those ?

[Genie47]

Only when you drastically lower your car should you install a camber kit.

[Xtravel]

thx for the info

[Jlim]

yup, will continue driving with the 'tok' and access the situation coz now quite broke.

but will remember the tip when changing it year end, still another 3 yrs to drive so better safe than sorry

 

but one thing I find really silly with the alignment from the workshop,is that the level gauge on one of the thingy they strap onto the wheel, is SO DIRTY that cannot even see the water bubble!

[Pisces69]

Hahaha. Maybe they so experienced cos they use the thing so much the spirit level is so dirty & they don't need it.

 

Most important is the laser "eyes" as the alignment is done with lasers.

 

Also important is the machine must have the model car they r testing in the database & the skill of the guy using it.

 

I went to JB once to get it done but when I saw how inexperienced the mech was with the machine, I decided not to get it done there.

[Jlim]

oh i see.. laser alignment.... car model... muz check. But how about Riverview? Hear many good reviews about their alignment skillz.

[Pisces69]

Yup. I also heard good things about them. Just remember you have to make an appointment with them.

 

Not easy to just drive in & get it done. I think his time is very tight. I wanted to go once but was too early from my appointment time & just cud'nt wait & had it done somplace else.

[Nov_revol]

ya look for kenny, i always do my alignment there.