Effects of a buckled wheel?

pappasmurf · 20 February 2006, 09:33

I have a front near side 16" buckled wheel. Could this be causing me to loose grip? The steering of my MY00 classic seems very light and unresponsive at times and doesn't seem to inspire much confidence when going around roundabouts or turning into juctions at slow speeds....the car feels as if it wants to slide. There is plenty of tread left on my Eagle F1's.

many thanks.

scooby546 · 20 February 2006, 09:37

If the wheels' buckled it might cause that i guess, but you might want to get the tracking checked as well

The Zohan · 20 February 2006, 09:45

I have driven a couple of cars with buckled wheels and never had the symptoms you describe. Usually feels ike a judder similar to the wheel being out of balance.

If your wheels are bucked your tracking and alignnment could be out.

i would get your geometry checked but first your tyre pressures. Forecourt guages are not always accurate and sometimes well off the mark.

flynnstudio · 20 February 2006, 11:36

Buckled wheel!!! Is it visibly buckled ? How do you know it's buckled?

Does the car drift on a straight flat road or pull to one side when you brake ? look at the wear patterns on your tyres.

TonyG · 20 February 2006, 11:43

If it's a buckled wheel, you'll feel it vibrating through the steering. When I had one, I never had problems with turning at slow speed. Don't remember it losing grip or drifting at speed either.
Ended up scrapping the wheel

and getting a new one, followed by a full realignment.

Gary C · 20 February 2006, 12:50

If you have bent the wheel and now feel the handling is off, you have probably bent the front suspension too.

pappasmurf · 21 February 2006, 18:36

Many thanks.
I have a geometry and allignment set up by RCM. The car has uprated springs, links and a stiffer rear anti roll bar. The car when done last summer was perfect. Doesn't feel so good now. I know i have a buckled wheel because i was told when i had new tyres fitted..so i will get a new one.
Car just feels so light at front and slippery...maybe it's just that fact that the roads are very cold and greasy this winter? Suspension etc is fine.

Are eagle F1s still considered a good tyre on 16" rims or is there something with a stiffer side wall for 16" rims?