for all the wheel/suspension people

[v-cam]

My 94 camry has some nice second hand wheels. 17"x8s wrapped in 235/45s. They originally came of a nissan so the offset is a little large at the front. Its around 20mm to large, so the well doesn't hold the wheel, it sticks out 20mm past the fender.

They car had some steering wheel shakes at highway speeds so I took it in for a full wheel balance and alignment.

The steering wheel doesnt shake going striaght at highway speeds, but if I take long corners it begins to shake a little and gets worse as I continue on the bend, I straighten up and it gradually goes back to normal.

Has anyone had this problem? do you think it is offset related? I know some of my suspension bushes are stuffed (noisy etc) so is ti suspension bushes? steering linkages?

Thanks.

[camryelaine]

Originally Posted by v-cam

My 94 camry has some nice second hand wheels. 17"x8s wrapped in 235/45s. They originally came of a nissan so the offset is a little large at the front. Its around 20mm to large, so the well doesn't hold the wheel, it sticks out 20mm past the fender.

They car had some steering wheel shakes at highway speeds so I took it in for a full wheel balance and alignment.

The steering wheel doesnt shake going striaght at highway speeds, but if I take long corners it begins to shake a little and gets worse as I continue on the bend, I straighten up and it gradually goes back to normal.

Has anyone had this problem? do you think it is offset related? I know some of my suspension bushes are stuffed (noisy etc) so is ti suspension bushes? steering linkages?

Thanks.

Interesting... I have the exact situation with similiar problem and would like to know the answer too.

I have a set of 96 maxima rims on my gen 3.5 camry. The wheels are 17x8 with 40 offset and 235/45/17 tyrees in front and 215/45/17 tyres in rear.

Sometime when I'm making a turn, I would feel the steering wheel is kicking back/vibrate and I'd have to apply pressure to hold the steering wheel in order to complete the turn. The wheels are all balanced and have hub rings in them. I also have strut tower brace installed (if this infor can help).

I have some possible casuse and hopefully someone can point me to the right direction on solving this and save me the guess work.

1. the wheel is wider, more contact surface with road thus creat more friction and therfore harder to steer.
2. worn front strut (lock of money)
3. didn't have a alienment after the wheel swap (lock of money)

[v-cam]

Does your problem surface at highway speeds?

Mine is fine around town, taking long corners at highways speeds causes mine to shake.

My struts are brand new, but the springs are stock (could be a problem) However, after purchasing the new struts the problem decreased dramatically, but is still there.

My car has just been in for its 3rd whell balance on these wheels and full alignment, but didn't really make a difference. (thats why I'm thinking its suspension related)

With these wider tyres, at highway speeds the steering is actually lighter than with stock tyres.....

hmmm... im thinking about selling these rims and buying rims that are designed for the camry (proper offset) lack of money though.

[v-cam]

Okay, I just got off the phone to Bob Jane T-marts where I live. (Very helpful guys)

They balanced the wheels yesterday and asked me to let them know how it went.

So I rang him back and told him the problem which he researched and has come up with this:

Apprantly, when you take your wheels in to be balanced, they balance them for straight line driving - a sort of "close enough is good enough" balance, which is fine for most cars.

But there is also a "fine-tune" balance that they can do that takes alot longer but fixes any abnormal problems like this one.

Its due to the size of the wheel and tyres being used on a camry (which lets admit - toyota never meant to release a camry with 235s on it)

So once I get this done I'll let you know if it worked.

[terrastrife]

8" wheels fit fine with the correct offset.

whele balance proably isnt your problem, you have a suspension geometry problem. becuase your wheels are no longer stock sizes your suspension is out of whack (wheel centerline ppls) so it sno longer balanced. youll never get this back to balanced, EVER, unless you go back to stock.

could also be your struts can no longer handle the extra wheel weight.

you also maybe loading more weight making the wheels move raound.. are the hubs fit correctly with rings?

[camryelaine]

Originally Posted by v-cam

Does your problem surface at highway speeds?

Mine is fine around town, taking long corners at highways speeds causes mine to shake.

My struts are brand new, but the springs are stock (could be a problem) However, after purchasing the new struts the problem decreased dramatically, but is still there.

My car has just been in for its 3rd whell balance on these wheels and full alignment, but didn't really make a difference. (thats why I'm thinking its suspension related)

With these wider tyres, at highway speeds the steering is actually lighter than with stock tyres.....

hmmm... im thinking about selling these rims and buying rims that are designed for the camry (proper offset) lack of money though.

I experienced the steering problem mostly going 60-70mph on highway. In 1 or 2 rare occasion, the same steering problem happen when I'm going 10-20 mph on local streets. None the less, 90% of the time, the steering doesn't give me any problem.

It would be great if your guy can find out what's the actual cause of the problem .

By the way, just curios, do you have 235 tyres front and back. Any rubbing in the rear?

[fredk]

the center line of your front wheels are too far away from the center line of the spindles, your wheels are making arcs rather than making a dot when you turn them while sitting still, you are also straining the tierods with the brakes and motor, get the wheels back under the car and that will get the geometry and toe right

[v-cam]

Thanks Fredk - deep down i knew that this was the problem.

I checked out the wheel size with the department of transport, the wheels are illegal so I am taking them off and doing what I should have done in the first place - buying new rims designed to fit a camry.

This will bring the wheels back inside the archs and should smooth it all out. Can still use the 235s that came with the wheels though!

I'll update this post when its all done to let you know the difference.

p.s They are brand new struts, stopped alot of the shakes when I installed them and yes i do have hub rings.

[v-cam]

All right,

I have purchased some nice new 17x7.5 AMG Wheels..... very nice!!!!

The wheels are now under the car and the difference is huge, tighter handling, smoother ride and no friggen shakes! I was able to use the 235s aswell! Next..... lowering!

Thanks for all your help TN.