Hiya, I'm new to this forum (intro post here). So here's my problem. It's basically a steering wheel that vibrates, anywhere from 30-130kpm (18-80mph). I've searched the forum for related threads and none of them seem to specifically address my issue, so I figured it would be worth a shot asking you guys. Here's the story.

I bought a 2018 second hand F-Type R-Dynamic 3.0L from a dealer in Dubai a couple of weeks ago (not under manufacturer's warranty, but with a premier two year warranty through the dealership). It had less than 100km when I bought it (apparently it was ex-dealer stock which is why the mileage was so low). The tyres are 2016 Pirelli P-Zero's on 20 inch rims.

The day after I took her home, I noticed quite pronounced vibrations in the steering wheel (which I can't remember experiencing when I test drove her, but perhaps I was too focussed on other things to notice, I'm not sure). I took her to the garage through which the premier warranty is provided and the guy in charge had the tyres checked and rebalanced. Unfortunately this didn't fix the problem. I figured maybe the tyres had some flat spots and kept driving her but the vibratios continuted. I took the car back to the dealership and their operations manager took it for a drive and proceeded to tell me (mansplain to me??) that the car is fine, the steering is fine, the tyres are good for another year, and that what I'm experiencing is just road feel and that's just what sportscars feel like. I am a driver with 32 years experience on the road and I know what road feel is. This is not that. Also, I've driven sportscars before and none of them have had this problem.

I tried taking it to the Jaguar service centre in Dubai but apparently because it's an import, they want me to pay them USD8000 to "open a file" with them before they'd even open the hood. No deal.

I'm hoping that it's just the tyres and that if I get new ones the problem will be solved. Apart from the vibrations, she drives like a dream and I'm totally in love. But before I change the tyres I decided to book her in for a full check-up in a couple of days at a Jaguar specialist just to make sure it's nothing more serious. Considering she has less than 1000km on her now (long commute to work), I can't imagine it's anything but the tyres but I'd rather just check for peace of mind.

My question, I guess, is what else could it possibly be?? And since I have such an informed group of people at my disposal, what should I replace the tyres with if I do go that way?? Any suggestions?? Apparently the Pirellis aren't the best, based on google reviews.

Thank you all for listening.
Cheers
Chryss

 

Likely, and cheapest thing to check first would be...Tires (slipped/defective belts/tread or uneven wear), Wheel balance (not alignment....wheel balance), and then any loose/worn front end suspension parts ( worn struts, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc.)

It would likely be one of these...Start with wheel balance or tire check. (One other thing to at least check...Are the wheels/lugs tightened down properly?)

Good luck.

DC

 

Also, have the runout on the front rotors checked.

 

Great point! I forgot that one.

DC

 

There's a couple other members on here in Dubai. Perhaps they can be of assistance with where they get service from as well. A reputable garage to check the things mentioned above because the dealer with the mansplaning is not giving good advice. I've been to Dubai many times and driven several different cars there. The roads are fine.

 

Did they check the rims for bends? That'll cause it also, but more noticeable at highway speeds.

 

+1 - -Start with the easiest and cheapest possibilities and keep knocking things off the list. Remove wheels, checks studs and re-tighten; ensuring that the they are properly torqued. Also check the hubs and and knuckle while the wheel is off. I have experienced this with bad tires. One of the reasons I make fun of the company line on Michelin mps4s, I got two bad tires, followed by two worse tires. belts can be off even slightly during the manufacturing process and cause significant issues at speed. Likely not a bulging sidewall, but I would start with the shoes and then the wheels (make sure they are true and balance easily). Unless you're running biased-ply tires, your wheel should not take a lot of weight to balance. Rotors are more likely the culprit if you experience it during braking, and if it is rotors, always good to get new brakes at the same time. Outside of those possibilities, try to find a reputable shop to look at the steering components. Best of luck.

 

The folks above have hit the major reasons. I’ve had vibrations twice, the first is when I had a slightly bent front left rim which was easily fixed after my son hit a pot hole he neglected to tell me about. The second time was a wheel balance problem that Scarborough Jaguar graciously fixed on one of our Ftype trips in Maine. On the first time the vibration started around 20-30mph and with the second time it showed up over 60mph. These items I think are the most common reasons.

 

Yes... those F-Type trips to Maine require perfectly balanced tires/wheels.

 

So i take it that the vibration rate increases with the speed, and it is constant and not intermittent? I'm not very mechanically minded, but before getting too drastic I would inflate the tyres a bit more, say 42psi or so and see if there is a difference. It's too bad you cant try a different set of wheels on it.

 

If we could just come up with some balanced drivers...

 

Hey everyone, turns out it was tyre flat spots causing vehicle shake. I wasn't imagining it after all. Phew!! Thank you all so much for taking the time to write to me. Really appreciate it. :-)

 

Did the vibrations go away after a sufficient period of driving, or did you need to replace the tires (tyres)? I've had cars with certain tire construction of cord (nylon) that needed to be driven for 30 - 60 minutes in order to get an accurate balance.



What brand/model of tire exhibited the issue?

 

Hey there, I replaced the Pirelli P-Zero tyres with Michelin Pilot Sports 4Ss and they feel a lot better. To be honest though, I still feel quite a lot of vibration when I drive it, but I've had quite a few other drivers tell me it's just the way a sportscar with low profile tyres feels on the road. Something I just have to get used to.

 

Flat spots are usually from a car sitting for a really long time or from getting spun out at high speed. In my formative years I spun an RX7 turbo 720+ degrees at very high speed and ruined all four tires from flat spots (the resulting smoke was truly impressive). Very expensive lesson.

 

Find a really smooth bit of road and see how it feels. If you still feel vibrations then it's something amiss with the car. There's a difference between "vibration" and "firm ride", the latter of which you would expect in a car like ours.

 

+1. On smooth pavement, the F-Type should be as smooth as glass. On bumpy pavement, the ride sounds bumpier than it feels. Grooved pavement (West Coast only) will cause a vibration in the steering.

 

Our F is (and has always been) very smooth, no vibrations at speed (as in an out-of-balance tire) or under braking (as in a 'warped' rotor).

I was sweating having new tires installed last year, as my brother-in-law's tire store doesn't have a road-force balancer any more. (He told me that AFTER I got the tires.)

 

I experienced the same (but intermittent) "vibration" problems with mine. That is until I figured out that it was the automatic "Lane Keeping" warning...

 

Thread revival…

I’ve got exactly the same issue of vibration through steering wheel from 30mph upwards when turning slightly left only.

I’ve had 4 wheel balance and alignment done, lower front suspension arms replaced and brakes checked. Vibration reduced by about 50% once the above was done so I figure it must be tyre/wheel/suspension related.

garage has had it in 3 times and can’t find anything else wrong. I’ve had the wheels off and retorqued wheel nuts to correct setting.

is it worth swapping front wheels to see if that changes it? Any other suggestions?