Coroplast wheel covers throwing tires out of balance.
 

Is this possible? I noticed my car was a little shaky at 65MPH and I checked the tire and my front right is shot.

I got two front tires a few months ago (1400 miles? ago) and the front right is shot. My grandfather blames it on my hubcaps.

They are ziptied coroplast hubcaps on alloys. The tire is very clearly out of balance and the tire shop did balance it. I do hit alot of potholes and take corners at speed. could this be an alignment issue? She goes pretty straight and all the bushings look old but nothing is loose. No bangs or anything when I turn. The CV boot is ripped on the other side.

Any idea? I will need a new tire and I might get the alignment done to toe 0* if It is needed.

No. They aren't nearly heavy enough to affect tire balance.

I would check alignment, and then check your suspension.

Could you be more specific in terms of being "shot"? Were these new tires 1400mi ago?

They were used tires. They look new. and now the front right is bulging they are very clearly out of balance. They are worn down completely in some spots and fine in others.

Compared to the other side they are shot. Other side looks new. Always kept them to 50PSI max sidewall 44PSI.

Think I'd chalk it up to being used tires, maybe they were starting to have issues for the previous owner, or maybe they sat around a little too long. I wouldn't think its caused by the wheel covers

I need a new tire anyway and I will set the alignment to toe 0. Thanks for the help!

I was thinking the same thing. Belts could have become warped if they sat on a vehicle in one spot for days/months on end.

I just went to the shop and got a new tire. Looking for deals to get the alignment done soon. All suspension looks good / decent.

Bulging would be from damage, like pothole or puncture repair, not out of balance. Over inflation just makes it worse.

I'm thinking that you may have some worn suspension components, like bushings or shocks or tie rods. Those can cause uneven wear and a wobble from the front of the car. Though I can't think that they would cause sidewall bulges--I would look to potholes or curbs for causing that.

-soD

I think it was a combo of having a bad alignment hitting pot holes a used tire and stock suspension from 2000.

I asked my grandfather and he swore it was the wheel covers and I should take them off because they look retarded. I told him they were poor mans moon discs and he instantly changed his mind.

I got a new tire the wobble went away I made an appointment for a alignment today so we will see how that goes. Ill get the tech to look over everything.

If you are considering buying used tires, at the very least make sure they are round and check the DOT required date codes to see how old the tire actually is.


TIRES 101: READING A SIDEWALL | Toyo Tires


regards
Mech

Thanks for the info, all the tires I have on the car now are only a year old at worst. The shop has been around for 40+ years and everyone recommends them. $22 for a 185/65R/14 balanced and to throw the old one away with a 30 day warranty. Not bad.

So my alignment is messed up now I have a sideways steering wheel after a fresh tire on it. I called the shop yesterday to get an alignment and I drive up and they are to busy to do it. :( My car looks weird without wheel covers now.

So it turns out I have bad tie rod ends and bad wheel bearings too. Shop quoted me $747 to replace and do an alignment. Ugh nope. ill do it myself thank you. I would gladly pay $50 to have a computer set my alignment but not all that. Got some work to do before winter. Lets see how many tires she eats up before I have time to get it fixed. I'll do my own crappy work thank you!

Ha! Good luck!

Sometimes burning through crappy tires is a better move than doing the right fix. I went through a few right fronts on the Albatross because it was a lot cheaper than sinking real money into it.

If your car wears out a tire too quickly, does that void its warranty?

My paper from the shop says it will replace it within 30 days from anything except driving it flat.

Tell your grandfather you'll happily upgrade to genuine Moon disks if he gets you a set for Christmas. :thumbup: