So my original problem was my car started to drift to the left, and had to hold to the wheel to the right to maintain a strait path. I switched the two front tires and it started drifting the other way. Well two tires and 100$ dollars later, the problem is still not fixed. However today, then i was getting my 2nd tire put on i noticed something out of place, i took a closer look and saw that the rim was bent in one spot. I asked the employee if that's a problem and he assured me not. If i take that rim off, and put my donut on, it runs fine. So am i to assume my bent rim is causing my car to drift to one side? Is this a known cause of this problem? And is there any way to find my particular rim to match my other 4?
This is a 99' Sebring convertible, by the way.
2006-10-30 11:28:40 · 10 answers · asked by bandage485 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
put bent rim on rear
2006-10-30 11:30:33 · answer #1 · answered by spencer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just what do you mean by bent?? Is there just a big "dent" in the rim on one place, or does the wheel "wobble" when it is turning?
Put the car up on jackstands (or put one side up in back, and put your questionable wheel on that side), spin the wheel, and observe what the "track" of the tire is as it turns, does it wobble from side to side, or "bump" up an down a lot? These are signs of a bad wheel, but it shouldn't make the car "drift to one side!
They will however, - make the steering shake or vibrate at certian speeds (like a wheel out of balnce).
If you have a minor wheel problem, and you put the wheel (s) on the back it will minimize your "problems", - and sometimes keep it to where you can't tell the difference! Since all problems "maximize" on front end of the car!
First thing to do with the "donut" is pitch it and get yourself a real tire! The difference in size of the tire may have been enough to offset the "pull you were experiencing"! If you have a flat somewhere and you have a real tire to put on, - then the car will handle right and be safe at "road speeds" too!
I would tend to agree with the "tire man" about the "bent spot" if it is just on one side of the rim for a ways, (it isn't perfect, - but depending on the size of the dent, - it may may make no difference at all). And I've only been a mechanic for 55 years, - so I don't have a lot of experience yet!
Did you compare the wheels side by side with the tires off? They could be 2 different sizes (in width), even if they both look the same on the outside when bolted on car! If one is wider than the other, -it will have a little more "drag" on that side than the other!
When you get the "real wheel" you could have the new tire put on that one, and you would definately have it eliminated! It would still work fine as a spare!
By the way, have you checked the control arm bushings on back axle"? I once had a MGB that had worn pad between the rear axle and the seat where the "U" bolts held it together, -- it pulled to the right when it accelerated, and pulled to the left when braking (and it was only moving about 1/4 of an inch). Most (but not all ) the time it ran fairly streight while cruising!
2006-10-30 12:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by guess78624 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the guys is right a bent rim will not cause a pull just vibrations in steering wheel. and sometimes when you have steering wheel shimmy and you try to hold steering wheel straight it makes it seem like a pull. you can move it to rear if you think that would help. but in no case should a bent rim do that. have you checked the tire pressure in the car? the one tire may be low and causing the drift. also have the alignment checked, the fact it changed with spare is because the spare is smaller and sits the car at an angle, you cant diagnose it with a spare on it. you most likely need an alignment and tire psi checked. also remember road crown if the car slightly drifts off in the left lane to the left and ight lane to the right its just road crown and not the car.
2006-10-30 11:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by Wild horse C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely a bad rim. Possibly tearing away from the inside out. It will cause major problems. If it is aluminum (I'm guessing it is) Then you need to get to a junk yard and get another rim QUICK because the tire will be damaged quickly and the rim may tear completely apart if it is torn. Good luck.
2006-10-30 11:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by jeff s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call salvage yards for the rim. You may not find match but find 4 that will work instead of buying them from dealer. If you know how it happen to get bent it may be to your advantage. Accident = insurance. Or did a service center cause the problem.
2006-10-30 11:47:42 · answer #5 · answered by rune13-7 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes a bent rim will cause your care to drift plus ware down you tires. Go to a wrecker and replace the rim the get your tires aligned. Hopefully your tires aren't worn.
2006-10-30 11:35:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and try a auto salvage yard also get your car checked out by a place that actually works on the alignment of your vehicle I'm not a mechanic but I have owned over 56 cars since the age of 16 and I am only 34 now I have worked on all my cars my self I am a self taught mechanic it pays to learn to do things on your own as most problems cars have now and yes even the newer cars are simple things that a person dont need to pay a shop $50 to a $100 or more an hour to fix I own many tools I probably have just about every tool a regular shop has with the exception of the hydraulic lifts but I do have my own pit for your basic under car tune ups etc..etc..
2006-10-30 11:39:20 · answer #7 · answered by The gr8t alien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the employee told you it wasn't a problem he shouldn't be working there. You need to replace the bent rim or you will have more problems later like suspension and control arms.
**Please DO NOT put the bent rim on the rear of the car. If it rains, you will be hydroplaning and loose control!!**
2006-10-30 11:35:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends HOW bent!
When the problem is the tires pulling, it may be the toe end is off set, causing wear, causing it to pull. New tires can also pull, I've seen it.
2006-10-30 13:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by kayef57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree, put the bent rim on the back
2006-10-30 11:32:36 · answer #10 · answered by thomas r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋