Need to borrow a set of front wheels/tires

[Oh Haha]

My alignment guy told me he thinks I may have a belt out of whack in one of my front tires, causing a vibration at all speeds.

Anyone in my area willing to let me borrow your front wheels for a couple of minutes, just to see if it is better? One short drive should be all that is needed. Preferably a set of 7inchers but anything 16 inch will work if they are good.
Thanks,

EDIT: In grasping the front tires at the 9 and 3 position, on the ground,I can move them slightly and hear a clicking noise. No play with the 6 and 12 position. Both have this same sound. My bearings are tight and the front end components are new. Is this normal?

[450knotOffice]

I'll give you a bump.

[jstgermaine]

Wayne,

I'm in Battle Creek if you want to venture out this way...

[Oh Haha]

Bumping for the edited version.

[wcc]

I wish I could help you out. I just sent all my 16" rims off to Al for refinishing last Friday the 24th. The car is on stands now. But when I get it back you are welcome to try it out. It'll have a new tire on it too.

I have a set 17s we could try?

[mudman]

If your 9 and 3 test is what I think it is you have just found a bad tie rod end, see if you can hear if the noise is close to you or nearer the middle of the car. Also, just because your bearings are tight doesn't mean they aren't worn, unless you meant tight as in 'in spec'. I would take the wheel off to see if you can see were the play is. If you can see that there is movement of the spindle assembly then I wouldn't worry about your tires.
-Jeremy

[Oh Haha]

Jeremy,
The sound seems to be at the hub. My tie rod ends are new as well as the wheel bearings.

[wcc]

Maybe the noise is coming from the shock. Is it loose or bad?

[chrisp]

Front strut bearings wear and it'll give a loose wheel bearing type feel. Why in your case it happens at 9-3 and not 6-12 I don't know. maybe it's just the leverage you can apply at different hand positions. I was chasing a loose wheel bearing feel for a long time and almost got kicked out of tech at an autocross because of it. It'll also give a shudder feel under braking at speed...like a warped rotor.

[Oh Haha]

The inserts are new Boges and are tight.

[wcc]

Ok, I need more info for this one.
Was the noise there before you started work in hopes to get rid of it?
Or has it appeared since all these new parts were put on?
Maybe a new part wasn't installed properly or maybe you got a bad new part.?.?

Can you hear the noise as you wiggle the front tire or does it have to be turned one way? If turned which way?

I would jack up the car and remove the front wheel and wiggle the A-arm and see if you still get the noise. Maybe your A-arm bushings are worn out?

[Oh Haha]

The only new parts this year are the inserts. the tie rods, ball joints, and bearings were new last year. I don't recall the noise being there last year but I wasn't looking for it, either. I tried the movement test on my Vibe and got the same results but with no noise. I assume SOME movement is normal. I think I will just check my wheel bearings tonight.

Oh, the A-arm bushings are good, BTW. It seems odd that both fornts would behave the same. Just to be clear, it is not a major vibration but more of an annoying one that I would like to solve.

[Oh Haha]

Call off the search, boys!!

I checked my wheel bearings and then reset them. The noise is gone and I have eliminated 99% of the vibration at speed. Thanks for the offers and advice.......again.

stupid cars

[450knotOffice]

Good to hear that.

[mede8er]

Good detective work dude.....

I was gonna offer my set, but I figured the noise from that 1500 hundred mile trek down here would have drove you insane.....

[wcc]

Good work! I'm glad you found it and it wastn't a big deal!