cibs

I was changing my rims today, and when i got to the front right one it was on pretty damn tight so i really had to go at it.... but eventually i got it off.... i put the steelies on and went to the gas station to fill up the air cuz they were low and i don't know what was wrong but the tire kept wobbling, but it was on tight i was sure of that.... so i took it off put it back on and tried it again it was still wobbly but not horrible so i took it to the station put some air in and a bit of the wobble went away but it's still really noticable when you're going slowly, i mean the steering wheel moves back and forth an inch or two!!! is this just the alignment that i messed up when i was changing the wheel or is it something more serious? it's strange cuz i've changed the tires on this car a few times and nothing like this has ever happened before..... TIA

Whiplash

sounds like you might have lost a weight pal..
or the tire got really flattened during storage..
try swapping it with a rear tho to see if it's mechanical in the front end or the tire/wheel itself..
if it's tire/wheel the problem will move with the rim..

if it moves with the rotate, ya might wanna get it re-balanced if it's still do-able..

cibs

cool, thanks Marty!
hopefully that's it, i'll try that friday and tell you how it goes... it just seems so strange, the tires weren't stacked when they were stored just leaning up against the wall.... but maybe it is the weight?

also the first time i was putting it on it seemed like the lug nuts just wouldn't tighten i kept turning and turning and it took forever compared to the other 3 tires.... maybe that was nothing tho and i just didn't tighten them as far with my hand, but it freaked me out in the beginning alright...

Slamed Civic LS

hey how are you doing.

are you changing your 17 to your winter tires? because it you are most of the after market 17" rims come with a little spacer in the middle around the cv shaft.

you have to take that out first then put the rim back on.
If thats not it, then do what that guy told you to do and check everything becuase it could be you cv shafts too the boot might be ripped and if all the grease comes out the cvshaft gets f@#Ked

cibs

I hope it's not the cv shaft....

well when i was taking off the last rim as i was pulling on one of the lug nuts the tire started turning (like someone turning the steering wheel to the right) towards me.... so i put my leg up against the rim to keep it steady cuz one of the lugs was on real tight, and maybe i wrenched something loose there? **** i hope it's not anything serious.... i'd hate to have to spend money now i know i can save it for the winter but still..... and i thought changing my rims was a harmless DIY job.... but i'll change the tires around... should i move the front one to the back or switch sides?

imported_Slvr-Bullet

Yah, I would check the spacer thing. I left those on the first time I switched to my steelies cuz I didn't know about it. I was wobbling down the street like a ****

Slamed Civic LS

YA TRY THAT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS

Whiplash

it won't be the cv Alex..
the rim connects to the rotor, not the cv joint..
changing a tire there's no way you could have done any damage to the half-shaft unless you used it to jack up the car (and i don't see you doing that )

it'll either be that spacer being mentioned or somehow your rim got bent or you lost a weight..(the spacer was new to me..thanx for the tip!!)

imported_gohondago

how flat was the tire?? or how low, you may have bent the metal cord in the sidewall.......

cibs

k what's this spacer business? i honestly have no idea what you guys are talking about cuz i saw them put the rims on at wheels direct and i didn't see them put anything else on but maybe i overlooked something? i still haven't had time to try to fix it but everyone seems to agree that that's what it probably is... or maybe the lost weight... ?

tia

imported_Slvr-Bullet

This is basically what you are looking for.
The centerbore of a wheel is the size of the machined hole on the back of the wheel that centers the wheel properly on the hub of the car. This hole is machined to exactly match the hub so the wheels are precisely positioned, minimizing the chance of a vibration. With a hubcentric wheel, the lug hardware will not be supporting the weight of the vehicle, all they really do is press the wheel against the hub of the car. Some wheels use high quality, forged centering rings that lock into place in the back of the wheel. This is acceptable alternative.

It's a flat black looking donut/ring that goes into the back centre of the rim so it'll fit properly on the hub.