Why does my tire feel like it's going to fall off?

1. 93

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   Why does my tire feel like it's going to fall off?
   
   I drive a Ford freestar minivan. When driving, no matter the speed it feels like a tire will fall off. Very severe feeling when driving slow but still a horrible wobble feeling when driving fast. When driving slow it feels like we are driving on a flat tire. So far we have check to ensure lug nuts are tight on all tires. We have pulled at 12 and 6 and 3 and 9 to see if there is any play. NO play in the tires at all when jacked up. We have also checked to make sure there are no flat spots or bad spots in the tire. What else could cause this feeling?

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2. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Have you checked to see if your tires are in line?

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   1. 93

      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It is much worse than an out of line feeling. it literally feels as if at any moment the tire will snap off. It has that same sound that you get when tire is flat, but it isn't.

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   2. 0

      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Has it always done this? Is the frame bent? Did you buy it used. Tire rods definitely need checked.

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3. 59

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   It may be not a problem with the tyres, but the wheels need rebalancing.  It may be that you have wrong mix of tyres, Radial with a standard on the same axle.

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4. 68

   ShootersCenterposted 12 years ago

   Wheel bearings could be your problem, I would have them check ASAP. I drove my truck back from Ga. that way and my mechanic couldn't believe they did lock up and cause an accident.

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5. 79

   DreamerMegposted 12 years ago

   Have you asked a vehicle mechanic? If you are getting this feeling - PAY ATTENTION.
   
   It could be any one of a number of things from the wheel balance (you can get your wheels balanced at many tyre shops). They spin the wheel and put weights on the rim to spread the weight evenly. It could be alignment, bearings, wheel rods etc. It may not even be the wheel, it could be the vehicle suspension. Try pushing hard on the front (hood/ bonnet) end of your car, first on the right, then on the left, to see if the vehicle is as "springy or bouncy" as normal. Whatever you think - get it checked, your lives are in danger

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6. 69

   MikeNVposted 12 years ago

   One of the belts in the tire could have and torn you may not be able to see it from just looking at it until it bulges or blows out.  This happened to me and it got worse as I drove faster.  I thought my front end was out of alignment but it wasn't.
   
   Your tires may be out of balance - look on the inside and outside of your rim to see if there is any evidence of a balance weight which may have come off. You would feel this but it would likely not be severe. I see them all the time in street gutters.  You may have front end problems as most minivans have solid rear axles so not much to adjust there.
   
   There are so many suspension parts in different types of cars now it's hard to say what little part might be the culprit.
   
   Clearly the best thing to do is go to a tire shop and have the tires checked first.  Then you can go from there.  i buy all my tires at Costco so it doesn't cost anything to have them check them.  You probably have a tire warranty so use it.

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7. 51

   buwanekawakposted 11 years ago

   As per your explanation the joint bearing might be not functioning properly or may be the tire rods end are loosen, Need to check above before a long trip, if it for short distance, there will be no harm

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8. 60

   IDONOposted 11 years ago

   IT'S A SIGN!!!!! (just kidding) I'm no mechanic, but more than once, I had similar symptoms and it turned out to be a broken steel belt in the tire. It seemed worse going slow, but that was because there was more tire on the ground and the belt was closer to the ground. You know, that centrifugal thing. Take it somewhere soon. Doesn't sound safe.

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9. 58

   mechanicsguyposted 8 years ago

   Great talk people for such a nice answer here.

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