Wheel/Tire balance problem 2013 C30 (Resolved) Topic is solved

[4cvixt]

I am still dealing with this problem!! Discount tire checked the balance again and all tires were out of balance. After re-balancing the first tire, I had them take it off the machine and them put it back on. Again, the tire was out of balance. The manager seemed to be the only one who understood that this indicated a problem with the balance machine. They re-calibrated the machine and did the wheels over again. The tires on my other C30 had gotten so worn that I had them replaced at the same time. After leaving the store, I now had two cars with out of balance tires. In addition, the new TPMS sensors put in my second car would not relearn.

I took the car to a different discount tire store in a nearby town. They were able to balance the tires on my second Volvo (2011 C30), but the TPMS sensors still did not relearn by the time I got home.

I took both cars back to this second store. The TPMS light went out while at the tire store, so we did nothing to that car (2011 C30). The light came back on about 30 minutes later - I think it may have picked up some other sensors from a nearby car while parked at Discount Tire.

They checked the balance on the 2013 C30 - all tires were out of balance. Re-balanced and they were MUCH worse. The technician was VERY careful (unlike the first store), so I can't blame him. They found that the machine they used on my tire was out of calibration also. Apparently, these machines can get out of calibration if someone bumps the shaft or hammers on the wingnut.

They calibrated the machine and re-balance the tires. They are still slightly imbalanced, but at different speeds from before. Two tires have a road force number in the mid 20s (lbs). I am wondering if this is the problem. The balance machine is the Hunter Roadforce Elite, which should be a good machine. I am losing confidence in Discount tires ability to successfully perform a simple balance.

One of the techs said that their model of balance machines was really designed for a full service shop that might use it ten times a day and not designed for a high volume tire store. Maybe these machines are worn out? My wife says the whole situation is like the "Groundhog Day" movie. It still appears to be a tire/wheel balance (or out of round) problem.

[BlackBart]

Sheesh. You’d be better off going to your corner gas station garage. Maybe it’s called Discount for a reason.

[4cvixt]

Crazy, isn't it? I have 30 days from when I bought the tires to get a different set of tires (just pay the price difference), so I might get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport all seasons 4. The problem with the Falkens is that there is too much radial run-out (if I have my terms correct) on one or two tires. If I have a set of four tires that do not have significant high or low spots, I think a good balance will solve the problem.

Any recommendations on tires? Don't want a really soft compound, just good quality, with reasonable dry and wet grip. I may also end up getting them to upgrade the tires on my 2011 while I am within the 30 day window. After that, I will find an independent tire shop!

[4cvixt]

I am considering Pirelli P7 AS plus 3, but I am tempted by the Kumho Ecsta PA51. I have the Kumhos on my corvette and they work well. My biggest concern now is getting a set of tires that are actually round.

[Krons]

My C70 has 18” wheels, looking at Sumitomo HTR A/S P03 (235/45R18) as they seems to be the best budget tire in wet and snow should there be a few days I get caught in that. Running the Continental Extremecontact that came on the car but they are noisy and pulse the steering wheel. Hoping to get some more miles out of them if I can tolerate them a bit longer.

I’ve had good experience at Discount Tire but at a newer store so maybe at the earlier stage of life of their balancing machines. If they cannot balance them I would expect they foot the bill to have them balanced elsewhere.

[4cvixt]

2013 C30: Seems that one of the new wheels has a slight ding in the outer lip - car hasn't even gone over a large bump, so I will probably get that replaced under warranty. I am still considering getting them to replace the Falkens with the Pirelli P7 AS plus 3. The idea is to end up with four tires that are round enough to get the road force balance numbers under 20. On visit #11 at Discount Tire with this car.

2011 C30: The wheel/tire balance on this car is fair, but not great. One wheel (original) is slightly bent, so I ordered an exact replacement wheel (not from Discount tire). That wheel had a high road force number which is probably due to the wheel. Another tire had a road force number almost as high (25lbs), which is due to the tire. When I get Discount Tire to replace the non-working new TPMS sensors, I will probably get the new Falkens replaced with Kumho ecsta PA51s and replace the slightly bent wheel. As with my other C30, the goal is a set of wheels/tires that all have a reasonably low road force balance number. That should give a smooth ride - as long as the balance machine is working properly.

[4cvixt]

Got lucky and found a Volvo Technical Journal on road force balancing. Ref. No. TJ 33867.1.3 Applicable to USA and Canada.
It has six pages about what to do when customers complain about vibration at highway speeds. Volvo recommends the Hunter Road Force Elite (same as what Discount Tire has, but probably used much less each day). Maximum Allowable Road Force Measurement 20 lbs.!!!
Now I have something in writing to show Discount Tire.

[BlackBart]

Maximum Allowable Road Force Measurement 20 lbs.!!!

20 lbs where? Which way? If that's an imbalance, that's huge.

[4cvixt]

The balancer has a big roller that applies force to the tire as it rotates. The number is the variation in force against the roller (I think). It is different from the actual balance. A tire can be balanced, but have a large road force number if it isn't round or straight. Some cars are more sensitive to out of round tires than others. Probably not going with Kumhos, will try something a bit higher quality - that's what they recommended if I want tires will less lateral run-out.

[4cvixt]

The tire/wheel problems with both my Volvo C30s have finally been resolved! The problems were mostly tire uniformity issues, radial run-out specifically.

Discount Tire really went the extra mile to make it right. They upgraded the tires on both cars free of charge and even ordered an additional tire when one of the Pirellis had too much run-out. Despite the ordeal, I am satisfied with the service I received. I don't think too many stores would have gone that far to make it right. The 2011 now has Yokohama tires and the 2013 has Pirelli tires.

I am surprised that tire uniformity is such an issue with so many brands. Both sets of Falkens, the Yokohamas and the Pirellis all had some degree of radial run-out problems. Three of the Pirellis were very good, one had excessive run-out - they ordered two more to make sure I got a good one. I don't know if this a recent issue or if other cars I have owned were not as sensitive. For the C30s, high quality tires and straight wheels are essential.