Snow, Vibration, Can’t Drive on Highway

[thejuice]

Searched but couldn’t find a related thread..

In Boston after the recent snow and cold nights. 2012 Limited, stock, 45k miles. Above about 40mph I have severe vibration, feels like I’m driving on oval wheels. Started the morning after driving through unplowed roads. I checked my rims, inside and out, and can’t find any ice. The lower wishbone (right terminology?) is packed with ice, and I tried to clear as much of the ice as I could. I also tried getting it up to about 70 hoping spinning forces would knock any snow/ice off, but the truck felt dangerous with the amount of steering wheel movement. No error lights, warnings, tire pressure is good, everything looks normal outside of some snow clinging here and there.

Any thoughts? I’m thinking of taking it to a carwash, but I’m not sure that a quick pass through an automated wash will melt off enough of the ice (if that is the problem). I’m also nervous about using a high pressure wash near the boots and hubs.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[hangman]

The juice is loose! I'd say run it through a touch free wash and see what happens... snow weight on your wheels or suspension would definitely cause an issue. You might also have lost a weight and kicked your wheels out of balance. Only other thought might be the condition of the roads, which still seems particularly bad (I got a loud noise from driving on the Pike this morning).

If the problem persists, bring it to Tom Lyons in Waltham--they'll get you checked out and let you know what's up. Good luck.

 

[thejuice]

thanks, will do

 

[Orc]

Snow in wheels will cause this sort of symptoms.

 

[thejuice]

Is there anything I should avoid when washing.. like say, no high pressure on certain parts?

thanks again!

 

[hangman]

Seems unlikely that a wash would damage anything that isn't already messed up. I say go for it... just do touchfree. Washes with the big mats that slap your car are loaded with paint-scratching salt this time of year. If you're doing it yourself, make sure to shoot the undercarriage a lot from all different angles. An automated one might be a better idea.

 

[Jetboy]

It doesn't take a lot of snow/ice to cause vibrations. Just a half ounce of ice somewhere around your wheel can cause a significant amount of force when you reach the proper speed that the frequency harmonizes.

I wouldn't be afraid of a car wash. Ideally find a garage that's heated that you can let it melt off a bit. Maybe underground parking at a mall or something if you don't have a garage at home.

 

[8086bruce]

If you have a manual car wash in your town try that. This happens to me a couple times a winter. Just wash out the wheels and suspension and undercarriage and she'll drive like new.

 

[thejuice]

perfect, thanks everyone! First step brushless car wash, second step parking garage... I'll report if it ended up being something bigger than just ice. PS love the 4R in the snow, best vehicle I've ever driven in NE!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I'm guessing it's just ice/snow buildup in the wheels that you can't easily see. It happens time to time when running in deep snow or slushy roads. Try parking in a semi-warm garage overnight.

 

[thejuice]

Problem solved! Thanks for everyone's help!

This is what I did.. Even prior to opening the thread I cleaned the wheels as best I could - they looked clean, but were vibrating, so I must have missed something. Last night I took another pass at cleaning the wheels with a brush and removing as much ice in & around the wheel wells as I could get to. On the way to the car wash I noticed the vibration was gone. Skipped the car wash, got on the highway, no more vibration. Woo! Maybe it was the road salt or some little nugget of ice that I missed, but I'm running smoothly again!

 

[hangman]

Right on. Think we all suspected that was the case, but glad to hear it wasn't something more severe!

 

[NoDak]

if your in snow country, you learn to keep a tool to remove snow from wheels and wells.

personally I keep a wooden hammer handle just behind the drivers seat to remove snow just for this.

also helps if you mark the location on the tire/wheel of where your weights are so you don't knock them off removing the snow.