What Are the Symptoms of Poor Rear Wheel Dynamic Balance?
3 Answers
When the rear wheel dynamic balance is poor, the symptoms include: 1. Vehicle body vibration: Generally, poor rear wheel dynamic balance can also cause vibration, although it is not as noticeable as with the front wheels. 2. Abnormal tire wear: It's important to understand that dynamic balance corrects uneven mass distribution. When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, the uneven mass distribution becomes more pronounced, leading to abnormal tire wear. 3. Increased fuel consumption: Poor dynamic balance increases driving resistance, thereby raising fuel consumption. Rear wheels don't just need dynamic balancing after tire repairs; it's also necessary to perform dynamic balancing promptly under the following circumstances: 1. When the steering wheel vibrates during high-speed driving or the wheels produce rhythmic abnormal noises; 2. When the wheels have suffered significant impacts or balancing weights have been lost due to bumps; 3. When tires or rims are replaced.
Recently, while driving my car on the highway, I clearly felt the rear of the vehicle swaying. The steering wheel remained stable without any shaking, but the entire body of the car felt like it was bobbing on waves, especially when exceeding 100 km/h, making it hard to sit comfortably and leaving me with back pain after long trips. This vibration doesn’t happen every time—only on rougher roads or during acceleration—and it’s less noticeable when driving slowly. Some mechanics have told me that poor rear-wheel balance, caused by uneven weight distribution on the wheels, creates an imbalanced force that transmits to the chassis, leading to this kind of wobble. If left unchecked, it can accelerate tire wear over time, possibly causing uneven tread patterns. It’s best to visit an auto repair shop soon for a balance check—it’s inexpensive but solves a big problem, improving both driving comfort and safety.
As someone who frequently drives long distances, I've encountered issues with rear wheel dynamic balance. The main symptoms were body vibrations, especially at high speeds where the rear of the car felt like it was bouncing around. Although there was no steering wheel feedback, I could hear a low humming noise inside the cabin, sometimes even the seats were shaking. This is caused by improper wheel installation, uneven tire wear, or the lead weights on the wheel hub falling off, leading to center of gravity displacement. If not addressed promptly, the vibrations can transfer to the suspension system, accelerating damage to bearings or shock absorbers - replacement parts can be much more expensive. I recommend checking tire pressure and balance condition every six months. Don't neglect this for new cars either - just mention it to the technician during maintenance to have them test it, it's a small cost that prevents big problems. If you experience these symptoms, don't delay - immediately slow down and drive at low speed to get it repaired.
