This morning I drove my '06 C2S cab for the first time since 12/20 on a 20-mile freeway commute.
On 12/20, I hit a curb with my right rear wheel (sharp right turn into a parking structure and didn't see the curb sticking out further than expected).

There is no visible damage (a bit of curb rash but no tire damage).

This morning, as soon as I hit 65-70 mph, the car vibrates noticeably.
Slow down to 50, vibration goes away. Speed back up to 70-75 mph and it returns.

I have not had time to go to a shop yet (need to find a good indy first), but wanted to get opinions / ideas.

What am I looking at here? Alignment? Worse?

I cannot detect any difference between left and right rear with the naked eye.

Thoughts and ideas welcome.

 

My first thought would be a wheel needing balancing. But now that you say it started after hitting the curb maybe the weight came off that wheel .. Check to make sure that rear wheel is not bent. You will not see it by eye and need a good wheel shop to check that out(or I m sure the dealer could). If thats OK I d balance them all. Look at all your tires and see how they are wearing and that none are visably damaged. If that doesn t do it then maybe you knocked the rear wheel out of alignment, but I think you d get the vibration more than you describe if that was the problem.

 

Recently, I went over a dip at about 30 going through an intersection. It was on the far side of the intersection, and I didn't see it until it was too late. Jarred my damn teeth! Following that, I had a vibration that started at about 40 mph. Well, the short story is that the wheel was bent, and my aftermarket wheel/tire insurance paid for a new wheel. While it was in, I had Eibach's installed, and a four wheel alignment performed. Just have your favorite wheel store throw the wheel on the balancer. They will know right away if it is bent.

 

+1 To the above. Check wheel balance (Or If its Bent) and then Alignment.

 

Thank you all,

Will get that checked out first and go from there.

 

Not enough information to generate a proper diagnosis.

Is the vibration coming from steering wheel ( a front end problem ) OR are you feeling the vibration in the drivers seat ?...( rear end problem )

When you first noticed the vibration, how long were you driving the car for... 5 minutes, half hour ? You mention the car sat for several days ?

The speed at which you say the car is vibrating is in a harmonic range associated with tires that are cold and not warmed up. When you back out of this speed range the vibration goes away, right ?

You could simply have a flat spot on the tires that need to be "worked out" by simply driving the car more.

Let us know some more information before you going chasing down a problem whilst throwing away good money needlessly.

 

Thanks Hattrick,
The vibration is coming PRIMARILY from the rear end but can be felt in the steering wheel.
When I noticed the vibration (this morning) it was all the way through a 30-minute drive, as soon as my speed exceeded 50 mph and getting progressivly more pronounced as my speed increased.

I hope it is a flat spot, but if it is: how long before it should 'work itself out'?

And my car has only been stationary for 13 days, FYI

 

I'd like to know at what speed were you doing roughly when you hit the curb?

 

I doubt you flat spotted the tires in 13 days! Most new cars on the lots would have flat spotted tires then. The fact that you damaged a wheel and had the issue right after that would strongly suggest that is were the problem is. Look at the simplest and cheapest solutions that match the facts of unusual activities first. IE. struck curb.
PS. If you hit the curb real hard maybe you damaged the suspension on that side..... but lets not jump to conclusions. First things first. Let us know.

 

Thanks Guys.

I clipped the edge of the curb while making a hairpin right turn, so I can't have been doing more than 5 mph.

 

Also with flat spots you would feel it far before 65 mph!

 

In the case of my mishap, the vibrations were just as you describe. Emanating from the rear, but felt in the steering wheel... progressive from 40 mph up. The issue is not a flat spot on a tire. You bent a wheel. Get it checked ASAP. Bad news, I know, but sh*t happens!

 

I would have the wheel balanced (road force balancing) first like stated then go from there.The way you make it sound in the OP is that the wheel received no damage what so ever just curb rash on the tire?

 

Golenjeeptj,
That is correct. I can see no external damage to the wheel or tire other than some curb rash on the edge of the rim where it scraped the curb.

While it did feel like a 'hit', I can see no other damage, but i will get it checked out at my local tire/wheel shop.

Thanks all for your feedback and input, especially based on drummin4fun's experience which seems to match what happened to me.

 

Another question would be what type of wheels do you have?I myself have 3 piece forged aluminum,quite expensive with just bumping a curb!That happened to me going to the Post Office to deposit mail in the outside pull up mailbox!Bad decision on my behalf! Put a small 3" scrap on the outer lip of wheel.I just backed up seeing the curb and knew I was to close and that's when it happened!My heart sunk! I have decided since it is so unnoticeable (except to me), I am going to have it repaired and all of the other outer piece of the 3 piece rims black chromed when I replace with new tires!