Elusive Vibration – Wheel Centering

I learned something this week about vibration and I hope it will save someone from spending the money I have spent to learn about it. It may be common knowledge which makes me an idiot – but no big surprise there.

I have been fighting a vibration in Missy at cruise speed. It has been VERY hard for me to determine where it is coming from. I have replaced all tires, had all tires balanced a second time (after installation), replaced steering and suspension parts, and even replaced the front wheels. The vibration was always there though it was incredibly hard to pinpoint.

It was at the shop that was installing the new wheels that I made serious progress. A smart fellow in the back of the shop heard me talking to the others about the vibration. He knew the problem and had the answer.

My bus has ‘hub centered’ wheels. These wheels fit over a flange/lip on the hub. This flange on the hub is supposed to center the wheel on the axle. Apparently, with enough miles, these flanges wear and the wheel is no longer centered. That was my problem.

The smart fellow pulled out a tool called “TRU-BALANCE.” This is basically three alignment ‘rods’ that screw onto three studs. The wheel is then installed over these ‘rods’ which centers the wheel on the studs. Then all wheel nuts are installed/tightened and the three rods removed (and nuts installed on those studs).

Ridiculously simple but IT WORKED!!

The vibration in the front end was gone.

Now, I can clearly feel that there is some vibration coming from the back. I intend to return to the same shop and have them do the same thing on rear wheels.

Hope that helps someone, someday…