Feels like lumpy tires

Tiny
NYDAVI
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134,000 MILES
Firstly, please forgive me if I am novice. I didn’t drive until I was in my mid thirties and this is my first car.

The car listed above is the GLS model. I purchased it used about three, maybe four years ago from a garage, probably with too many miles. But at that time, there wasn’t a rust spot on it, it was a super smooth ride, with a lot of get up and go, and great stopping power. Not to mention fuel efficiency (which it, for the most part, still has).

I don’t drive it everyday (probably two to three times a week) but I have cared for it the best I can. I purchased new tires, and every spring and fall snow and all seasons are swapped and tires rotated. All except one time, the oil gets changed regularly if not before it is due. I brought it in to the actual Hyundai dealership for two recalls; brake light and control arm, to which I believe they repaired brake light? Switch? And did a kind of corrosion preventative spray on the underside of the car.

The problem is that about a year to year and a half into owning this car, it developed a shimmy or wobble like I have lumps on my tires, like when one gets a lump of snow stuck on a tire. The slower I go, the slower the wobble. I am scared to drive it on the highway. Like I said, I bought not only new all season, but also snow tires. I had them balanced and aligned. I have brought it to three mechanics and the Hyundai dealership. They all said they couldn’t feel it, but eventually it effects my brakes so it doesn’t brake smoothly, more like b-b-b–b—b----b----b until it stops.

Few of my passengers have said they could feel it a little.

The tires don’t have any strange wear pattern, cupping or bulging, however I don’t drive much (and this is reinforced by this wobble). My father did a naked-eye run-out test on all four wheels and found nothing. He also did other test that involves trying to yolk the wheels/tires back and forth by hand and he found nothing.

But its starting to effect my brakes again. B-b-b–b—b----bb until it stops.

Is there anything I should be grilling my mechanic about? Ask dear ol’dad to look into? Perhaps with some advisement and luck, I could look into?

Full list repairs, may or may not be pertinent:
Ties, tire balance, wheel adjustment, license plate illuminator light, brakes (twice), brake line, (brakes just aren’t the same anymore), fuel line, new battery, interior fuse box. Missed one oil change, got dummy light, changed oil, light went away.
Monday, April 8th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Welcome to CarPros.

I have to start with a few questions. First, is there any noise associated with what you feel? Second, did this start since the brake lines were replaced? Third, do you feel it more when you apply the brakes? If you turn the wheel hard left or right and pull out, is there a clicking sound? Is there a howling noise that is speed related when you drive? Where do you feel the vibration the most, the steering wheel or the floor/seat?

Sorry for so many questions. Since the tires, wheels, and alignment were checked, I have to assume the tires aren't the problem, especially since different tires have done the same thing.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, April 8th, 2019 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
NYDAVI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
1. Is there any noise associated with what you feel?
There is no obvious sound with what I feel. If I were to be nit-picky and I am not sure if its related, there is an extremely faint whistle/squeal that I first thought might be sirens in the far, far distance, or my snow tires on the pavement, but it is there with all seasons too. When I say faint, the window has to be open, and the car must be coasting (no acceleration at all), and no other vehicles near me. A persons talking voice would be much louder.

2. Did this start since the brake lines were replaced?
No. It started years ago, and brake lines replaced a couple months ago.

3. Do you feel it more when you apply the brakes?
At first, I didn't feel it in the brakes at all, only when the vehicle was moving, but it progresses into feeling it also when I brake.

4. If you turn the wheel hard left or right and pull out, is there a clicking sound?
What do you mean by pull out? As in, pulling out of a parking space? Otherwise, I have not noted any clicking sounds. I can attempt deliberately making hard right/left and let you know.

4. Is there a howling noise that is speed related when you drive?
No. None at all.

5. Where do you feel the vibration the most, the steering wheel or the floor/seat?
I really wouldn't call it a vibration, but more of a shimmy or wobble. To be honest, I can feel it in both. If I let go if the wheel I would still feel it in the seat/back of my legs, but I can feel the same in steering. The steering wheel itself does not wobble/jerk/shimmy/move by itself.
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Monday, April 8th, 2019 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
That is a tough one, then. If you feel it when you apply the brakes, my first suspect of a warped brake rotor. The only other thing you mentioned that is of interest is the sound you heard similar to a siren. I mention that because a brake sensor can make a squealing sound when the brakes are near needing replacement, or a wheel bearing can make that noise, too. The funny thing about a wheel bearing, there may be no noticeable play in the bearing itself, but the bearing could be bad. Honestly, that is why I asked first if there was a noise and if it changed pitch when turning. My only other suspect is if there is a bad CV joint or even a slightly bent axle. Has anyone checked for that?
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Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 AT 6:42 PM

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