Steering wheel shake, tire belt?

[freebo86]

So here is my issue.

Few years ago I purchased a set of 31" Goodyear Authority tires, installed them on my 97 TJ with its rims, drove around for about a year and a half and there was always a shimmy on one or two wheels. Being a TJ, with 140k on it I chalked it up as just some worn component but it didn't bother me that much... I had the tires balanced it seemed to help a bit but not much.

Shortly after I purchased an LJ, 05 with 9k miles on it. All original. Since those tires were fairly new and the LJ still had the original Goodyear Wranglers from factory I decided to swap the tires onto the LJ rims, put the Goodyear Wrangler tires on the 97 TJ rims before I sell it.

Well the LJ has now 18k miles on it, I am still talking about the same tires and the shimmy is there. I had them balanced 2 months ago again and it seemed to be better but there is a shimmy. Is it safe to assume there is a belt thats gone in these tires? If it is a belt, should the tire shop not be able to properly balance these things?

I highly doubt there is a worn component on the LJ that was also on the TJ.. chances are slim. But I am curious to hear your guys' thoughts on this.

 

[ohiopatriot]

Yes, it sounds like you have a tire that's out of round.

f it is a belt, should the tire shop not be able to properly balance these things?

You can balance an out of round tire, but it's still not round. Think of an egg, the high point is what you're feeling.

 

[Sulu]

Had the same problem, only at 35mph. Full balance and alignment. Ended up being the tires not being true, slightly cupped.

 

[freebo86]

Well that sucks, mine is right around 60mph.. guess those 33s will just have to come sooner than expected