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Vibration after having a tire replaced

Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SUBARU LEGACY
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 233,000 MILES
There was no problem with the car before I brought it to the service station. One tire was going completely bald back left driver side. They put on a tired that was 5 mm larger ever since then I’ve been having a vibration in the car now is pretty significant. There was no vibration before that tire was changed. Could a tire 5 mm bigger actually make that much of a problem? Or could I be looking at something else?
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Monday, November 29th, 2021 AT 1:34 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

With 4wd, you really need to keep the tires the same size. If they are different, it causes this type of issue. Also, this can damage the differential, transfer case, or transmission.

I recommend replacing all tires so they are the same. Keep in mind, the vibration you experience is being caused by a binding (one wheel turning faster or slower than others). It won't happen instantly, but it will lead to damage.

Let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, November 29th, 2021 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
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Vibration happens mostly when you accelerate. I put a video in, hopefully you can hear what I hear.
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Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I do hear it. It's a little difficult not being there to experience it. However, if this started with the tire size change, that is where I would start. Is the spare tire the original size? If it is, replace the new tire with the spare to see if the sound goes away.

Let me know what happens.

Joe
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Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
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New problem losing a lot of antifreeze. No white smoke out of the tailpipe. Can’t find a leak anywhere. When the car is at operating temperature at idle the heat from the heater is cool not cold but not hot when I rev the engine up it starts to get hot. I keep filling the reservoir with antifreeze. Got home yesterday temperature was on hot filled up the reservoir revved it a little and drop the Temperature gauge to normal.
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 AT 6:18 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

Coolant can only be going so many places. If there is nothing leaking under the vehicle and no white smoke, check the engine oil to make sure it isn't mixing there. Also, check the transmission fluid. It could be leaking through the cooler.

Here is a link that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Let me know what you find or if I can help in any way.

Joe

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Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
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I don’t see any evidence of it in the oil engine oil. And there’s no real transmission fluid cause it’s manual. What I did do was change that incorrect size tire and put the donut on but it’s still doing the same thing vibrating. The donut is a 135 70 15.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2021 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
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What are the tire sizes on the vehicle (other than the spare)?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, December 5th, 2021 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
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195 60 15.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2021 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I went to a tire size calculator site and put both sizes in. According to the site, there is a big difference. See attached. I also looked up the original equipment size and it was a 205 60 15. See pic 2. As far as the spare tire, is that the correct size?

I did one final check and that was comparing the OEM size against the spare size provided, and it's totally off as well.

Let me know if that is the OEM spare tire. The company normally provided a tire equal in diameter to the spare. In this case, it doesn't seem they have.

Joe
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Sunday, December 5th, 2021 AT 4:25 PM
Tiny
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I waited for a half hour and I got two rear tires. Lol 195 60 15 And it didn’t help it a little better but it’s still vibrating on acceleration. So, something is damaged. Anything I should be looking out for?
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Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

Is it only when the engine is under a load?

As far as other things to check, the universal joints on the drive shafts and even the CV joints on the drive axles can have play. But I don't see how that would have happened when the tire was installed.

Take a look through this link. It explains how to check u-joints.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-u-joints-work

Also, do you mean it did help a little bit or it didn't?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
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It happens when it’s under load And acceleration, but it still vibrates a little when it’s not. But the difference between under load and coasting is a huge difference. And it actually didn’t really help much. Putting the correct tires on. At 55 it starts terrible clears up a little bit at 65 70, but yes when it’s under load is it the worse.
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Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

I have a feeling it is related to the driveshaft center bearing. Take a look at the pics below. Pic 1 shows the component I'm referring to. Pic 2 shows possible causes of the symptoms you experience, and the remaining pics are the directions for test/inspecting the driveshaft and components.

Take a look through the directions and let me know if you are comfortable checking it. I highlighted the last test below. I suspect this is where you may find the problem.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 AT 8:11 PM

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