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About 2 oil changes ago, these guys at a local tire shop threw in a free tire rotation. After that rotation, there was a very minor thumping that feels like its coming from the rear of the car. I'm thinking that they knocked off those weight things that go on the rims.
You can only hear it below between 20-40mph or so.
Anyway, it doesn't affect the handling of the car or anything, but I'd like to get rid of it. What do you think of a spin balance on each tire?
I've felt the tires and there are no bulges or bumps or anything on them like that.
Also, my tires are nowhere to being new and I imagine they have another 20K before I get to replacing them. Worth the expense?
Maybe. Take a look and see if the lead weights are there. Easy enough to spot. If you see one without a weight, that very well could be the culprit. Could be alignment though. Has the thumping gotten more pronounced over time? You could also have a tire with a flat spot. That can happen if a wheel gets locked up and just skids for a while.
I wouldn't consider anything less than balancing all 4 wheels on a modern/computerized balancer. The thumping may be due to a feathered tire rolling the opposite direction.
This shop very close to my house will charge $10 a tire. Didn't ask if they had a modern computerized balancer.
To be honest, I don't know if the original oil change place caused the thumping. My wife drives that car and it was only after I rode it (maybe 1 week later) that I noticed. She doesn't hear it, but I'm anal and it bothers me. I love buying new tires because they roll so well and it sounds like you're ridng a brand new car.
I looked for any bumps in the tires and ran my hands around the tread feeling for any flat spots or bumps that could cause it. Nothing.
As to the comment on alignment, I thought you should get an alignment if your car drifts to the left or right if you let go of the steering wheel when driving, right? Mine doesn't do that. The thumping has not gotten worse or better, just steady.
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