Why a Tire Wobbles While Driving

If one of your tires has started to wobble while you’re driving, that’s a serious cause for concern—it’s dangerous as well as making your driving experience unpleasant. As your tires continue to wobble, they’re creating new and potentially serious forms of wear on the rubber. This can lead to more severe problems down the road. If you’ve identified a tire problem or need tire rebalancing in Athens County, OH, be sure to take your car to the shop immediately. It might not be a tire problem at all, but issues with your brakes, suspension, alignment or another, less obvious cause.

Here are some of the most common causes of tire wobble:

• Contact patch issues: The bottom of your tire—the part that touches the road—is called the “contact patch.” When you lock up your brakes, or in cold weather, the contact patch can become inflexible. Sometimes this is a temporary problem that will work itself out when you start driving and the rubber warms up. Other times, the tire is too old and worn, and the flat spot is more permanent. In that case, you’ll want to replace your tires.
• Improper alignment: Improper alignment can cause tire wobble, especially on your front tires. You might notice alignment issues after driving over a pothole or jumping the curb, but your wheels can slowly move out of alignment over time without any precipitating events.
• Brake rotor problems: If you’re noticing tire wobble only when braking, it’s likely a brake rotor problem instead of an issue specifically with your tires. Usually your brake rotors (or drums) have become warped over time. When your brake rotors are warped, they cause the calipers (which squeeze the rotors) to shake and wobble.
• Imbalanced tires: Your mechanic uses lead weights to balance your tires after they’re installed. If the weights were applied unevenly during the tire change, the improper balance can cause your tires to wear unevenly, resulting in tire wobble.
• Uneven wear: All of these issues can cause your tires to wear unevenly, which will contribute to the wobble and pulling problem. Don’t be surprised if your auto repair shop identifies a root cause, but also suggests you replace all or some of your tires. It might seem like an extra expense, but it’s the key to ensuring your car drives smoothly.

It’s always smart to address tire wobble as soon as you notice it, to avoid more serious repairs down the line.

Tire rebalancing in Athens County, OH

When you need help identifying your tire problems in Athens County, OH, the team at Dana’s Tire Center can get the job done. We’re the area’s top provider of tires and wheel services, but we also provide comprehensive auto repairs and routine maintenance. Why go anywhere else when you can get everything done in one place? Family owned and operated since 1983, Dana’s Tire Center offers fast and friendly service at competitive rates. Call or stop by today to have us look at your tires.

Categorised in: Tires

This post was written by Writer