Vibration on smooth pavement?

[RandyH2]

Even on smooth pavement I can feel a very slight vibration thoughout the vehicle. I don't recall this on previous cars I've owned but none of them have had 20 inch wheels and the relatively low profile tires of the Explorer to transmit pavement irregularities. To me, it almost feels like a tire slightly out of balance.

So-- when driving on new, apparently smooth pavement can you feel vibrations in your Explorer? I don't want to take it in if everyone has the same thing happening.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[Rosko97]

This happens on ours sometimes...

 

[peterk9]

Even on smooth pavement I can feel a very slight vibration thoughout the vehicle. I don't recall this on previous cars I've owned but none of them have had 20 inch wheels and the relatively low profile tires of the Explorer to transmit pavement irregularities. To me, it almost feels like a tire slightly out of balance.

So-- when driving on new, apparently smooth pavement can you feel vibrations in your Explorer? I don't want to take it in if everyone has the same thing happening.

Thanks,
Randy

No vibrations with mine. Doesn't sound normal to me. There have been many posts about vibrations but I believe they were upon acceleration. It is quite possible that a tire is out of balance. If that is the case it usually shows up at a certain speed and not at all speeds. At least that has been my experience.

 

[willwitten]

Mine rides smoothly and has no vibration.
I have had it for 2 months.....3,500 miles.
It is a white limited w/302a, 4wd, tow.
I drive dirt roads, gravel roads, smooth asphalt, highways, interstates and off road (fields, hills, ruts).
No mud yet....I live near Dallas, Tx.....it is very hot here.....no rain.

 

[donm527]

no vibration on mine and i have the polished 20" tires and over 5k on odometer.
at what speed do you get the vibration? have to taken it offroad at all?
sounds like it needs rebalance/alignment.

 

[Spengracin]

I bet its a tire out of balance or its possbile, the tire its self could be bad, or bad side wall. I h ae had this issue on new tires before, hard to find.

 

[hpad06]

I tested drove a 2011 limited with 20 inch wheel, both my wife and I were very disappointed with the ride quality, the car was very sensitive to the road, and the leather seats seem not helping. I believe this is the vibration you feel.

This is after I tested drove a 2011 highlander, which is very smooth and comfortable, no vibration at all.

Later, when I tested drove another 2011 base model (17 inch wheel with fabric seats, and this is the one I bought), I can still feel the vibration ,but it's not as bad as the limited edition.

Also this depends a lot on the road you drive, most roads are fine, but some are very noticeable

Maybe I had too high exception of the new car, but I think this vibration is normal.

 

[1sttimeford]

Assuming it's a properly balanced tire, you can still experience vibrations if there is a slight variance in stiffness in the tire sidewall (called "force variation").

The only way to determine this, and compensate for it, is to take it to a tire shop that has a "road force balancer". It exerts force against the tire while spinning it on the balancer and measures for vibration.

Ask your dealer (or some local tire shops) if they have a Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Balancer or something similar.

 

[Chimmy76]

i think i have the same issue i too believe its the 20" wheels i have it on take off but on concrete roads it does not happen i can feel it when going really slow over black top.???

 

[peterk9]

i think i have the same issue i too believe its the 20" wheels i have it on take off but on concrete roads it does not happen i can feel it when going really slow over black top.???

I have the 20" wheels and no vibration. In the Winter I did notice a bit of flat spotting after it sits over night. This disappears within 5 minutes of driving. That is normal for this size tire and is mentioned in the Owner's Manual. If the tires and balance are good there should not be any vibration.