4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[ChrisP]

If the wheel balance of your car isn't right, is it safe to drive?

[The Dogmother]

It is safe, but not at high speeds - you will get a wobble around 70mph and the imbalance will cause uneven tread on your tyres at any speed.

 

It is best sorted out and is the work of minutes to do at a garage.

[ChrisP]

Alright, thanks Claret!

[Valkyrie]

I agree it isn't anything that you can sort out for yourself. When my car came back "repaired" I test drove it and found that the grip on the road was very bad - when we looked the wheel was still wonky and then some! Somewhere like Kwik fit will do that for you and it only takes minutes rather than hours. Sometimes it is just a bit of tracking that will sort it out.

[The Dogmother]

Chris, are you sure that the wheel/s in question are fitted properly and not loose?

 

It just occurred to me that they might not be imbalanced, but loose

[Valkyrie]

Nothing more worrying than seeing your wheel bouncing up the road in front of you! Get that spanner out and have a check!

[The Dogmother]

I followed a bloke down the motorway once and his wheel was flapping about. He ignored all my light-flashing and gestures. Surprised that he couldn't feel it

[Gem_Seb]

Its ok to drive but your tyres will wear more quickly in certain points, Ours has been in an accident and will never balance properly, the inside of the tyres wear very quickly on the passenger side and we have to keep a VERY close eye on it! gone through 2 lots of decent tyres in a year now!

 

It only costs about £8-£10 per tyre i think

[The Dogmother]

Sounds like your axle is bent Gem_Seb

 

I'd not be happy driving that.

[Steph101]

No

[WarrensWorld]

Could be a whole lot of things. I take it that it's front wheel drive. If so and the wheel is out of balance you should start to get a tremble through the steering wheel at 50 mph. That's not dangerous to drive, just take it easy.

Then again it could be a worn wheel bearing, in which case it would be highly dangerous to drive.

Best get it checked by your friendly motor mechanic. Wouldn't take 10 minutes to find out the actual cause.

[Gem_Seb]

Ive had the Axel replaced but there must be something else but the mechanic just cant seen to work it out nor how it was that bent in the first place, its obv been in a smash but we have replaced evertyhing we can see so far! Any other ideas welcome though! our ECU light randomly comes on as well then after a few days goes off, had it put on a dianogstic once for £50 which couldnt find anything wrong! the car just needs to go but we cant afford to sell it at todays prices! only had it 2 years!

[The Dogmother]

Hmm, I'm no expert, but it sounds like it's been in a big smash to me.

 

Did they check the chassis?

[Valkyrie]

If it's been in an accident it might be something to do with the frame - or something more sinister - do get it checked by someone like the AA/RAC because it might affect your safety if it's involved in an accident.

[WarrensWorld]

Its ok to drive but your tyres will wear more quickly in certain points, Ours has been in an accident and will never balance properly, the inside of the tyres wear very quickly on the passenger side and we have to keep a VERY close eye on it! gone through 2 lots of decent tyres in a year now!

 

It only costs about £8-£10 per tyre i think

Tyres wearing out the inside tread. That sounds like your tracking is shot. Have it Lazer tracked, that'll show up any problems. When done properly you can take your hands off the steering wheel, and the car will go straight as an arrow. Problem is the Police take a dim view of anyone seen doing hands off driving........

[ChrisP]

I'm going to get it checked in the morning. I checked out the tyres after advice on here, and one is wearing differently to the other - one has more of the wheel touching the road (can tell i'm a mechanic eh!? )

Thanks