Im not sure if this is the correct place to post this (but its the most one I frequent), so please forgive me if its the wrong section.

Here is my issue; I was at the Autoclub Speedway in Fontana this past weekend with Extreme Speed and I noticed that once I hit 116mph, I feel a vibration and I am not sure where its coming from and wanted to see if anyone might have an idea. I can't pin point if its related to the wheels or anything suspension related.

 

It's coming from someplace on your car.

Try and include as many details as you can.

Otherwise we're at more of a loss than you are.

Here's a thought to get started....

Did you foil tape your wheel weights to keep them from falling off when heated up?

Did you check to see that you still have all your wheel weights?

Can you tell if it's front or rear?

Any medium hard curb / rumble hits?

Did you check your wheels for bends?

I'd take your wheels off, look at them carefully and take them in and see if they still balance out as a first step.

Other vibrations (like wheel bearings and hubs) should grind a little even at slower speeds if you're attentive).

 

Thanks for that feedback. I'm trying to think back on the feeling, but I want to say its more or less the front. It does almost feel as it the wheels are out of balance. The wheels are new and the tires have 3 track days.

Go suggestion on the weights, I didn't check those and they are not foil taped.
I guess next time out ill try to feel it better. I didn't take it up that high to much.

I was just asking to see if there is a common problem or something.

Appreciate the reply

 

Missing wheel weights are pretty common to track'ers. Three track days on a set of tires could certainly melt off adhesive wheel weights. Look for "cleaner" parts of the wheels where the weights might be missing. Or sometimes.... NO wheel weights left at all, convincing evidence that they've fallen off somewhere.

I have to admit, happened to me during a club race with the Civic. Fronts lose weights more often due to brake heat. In a pinch moved the rears to the front and taped the weights to get through the weekend. Now I carry foil tape in my toolbox.

 

Just checked all the wheels and the weights are still on. I guess next time out ill try and hone in on the issue.

 

I'd take the wheels back to where they were mounted/balanced and have them rebalanced as a starting point - then tape the weights on before your next track day.

 

Even though some weights are still on, it doesn't mean ALL the weights are still on. I'd still try and get them checked for balance in case a curb hit to the inside (that you can't see from the outside face) threw it off balance. In rare cases, tire wear can also throw them off balance. Not common with even wear, but it can happen.

 

Some things worth noting:

At ACS especially because of the heavy braking, the rear heats up much worse, especially if you have any front brake ducts and it stays hotter longer because of the solid rotor. Ive lost a few wheel weights there because of that.

If you had any spins/slides with lockup, it can remove enough rubber to change the balance of the wheel.

Either way, re-balance the wheels. I tape over my wheel weights with regular old duct tape, no need for the fancy aluminum stuff. Haven't lost one since I started doing that.

 

I don't even bother balancing my track wheels and tires anymore because I get so much OPR collected on the inside of my wheels.

 

Track or autocross?