Vibrating steering wheel after changing tyres? Check your balancing!

Hup Shun Tyres, Malaysia

Do you have a steering wheel which vibrates at high speed? In most cases, it is usually the wheel balancing but it could also be warped brake disc rotors. However, unless it vibrates when you are braking, your best bet is to check the balancing first. Now the problem is, sometimes mechanics says there are no problems found, despite you being so sure that the problem is that particular problem (sounds familiar?). 

To be fair to the mechanic, the owner should know his/her car best as they have spent a greater deal of time driving it. The problem comes when the feedback from the car owner is not taken seriously by the workshop mechanic. 

Below is an independent review from forum. Please do not judge the shop from just this review, but merely take it with a pinch of salt and assist you if you face a similar problem. 

DETAILS OF MY EXPERIENCE:
I sent my car to HupShun Tyre @ JALAN PJS 11/7, BANDaR SUNWAY, for changing two front tires. After changing the tires, I experienced steering vibration at high speed above 120/kmh.

I brought it back to HupShun the next working day and told them about the problem. They just took it out, rebalanced and replace back, and tell me "it's 'OKAY now".

From my past experience, I had this same vibration problem above 120/kmh before, and the previous tire shop did an on-wheel/high speed balancing for me, and everything was ok. - But this HupShun mechanic told me that actually they don't have that machine to do high-speed balancing.

THEN THINGS GET INTERESTING.

He proceeded to tell me actually my rims are dented (bengkok)!!

I argued and said, if my rims are dented (bengkok), why the day before when I traveled to Johor and back, there was NO vibration AT ALL even at 150-160/kmh??

I politely asked to speak to the manager.

Tyre Price List in Malaysia from Tek Ming

Here are some of the tyre prices for your  reference! Obtained them from Tek Ming. Tek Ming Tyre Shop is located in Sunway. Their prices may not be the cheapest, but service is pretty decent. If you aren't buying rims perhaps it is worth it to visit there, rather than driving all the way to Klang for cheaper tyres. I heard Shah Alam also have some pretty good rim and tyre deals! The pricelist contains mostly Silverstone tyre prices and also Goodyear tyre prices. 

Tek ming auto service sdn bhd no.1 & 3 jalan pjs11/24,
bandar sunway industrial park,
46150 subang jaya,
selangor darul ehsan.

Business Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00am ~ 7:30pm
Sun & Public Holiday: 9:30am ~ 6:00pm

Brand	Model	Size	Price (RM)
Silverstone	Synergy M5	195/50/15	RM155
Silverstone	Synergy M5	185/55/15	RM150
Silverstone	Synergy M5	195/55/15	RM160
Silverstone	Synergy M5	195/60/15	RM175
Silverstone	Synergy M5	205/45/16	RM190
Silverstone	Synergy M5	205/40/17	RM195
Silverstone	Synergy M5	215/45/17	RM215
Silverstone	Powerblitz 1800	155/70/12	RM105
Silverstone	Powerblitz 1800	165/60/13	RM120
Silverstone	Powerblitz 1800	165/55/14	RM130
Silverstone	Powerblitz 1800	175/65/14	RM130
Silverstone	NS-223	175/70/13	RM112
Silverstone	NS-223	185/60/14	RM128
Goodyear	Duraplus	175/70/13	RM1X5
Goodyear	Duraplus	165/60/13	RM1X5
Goodyear	Duraplus	185/60/14	RM1X0
Goodyear	Duraplus	165/55/14	RM1X0
Goodyear	NCT5	195/55/15	RM1X5

Last updated in 2013

Tyre Shop Review: Lim Tayar TTDI Malaysia (Taman Tun Dr. Ismail)

Tyre Shop Name: Lim Tayar TTDI

Address:
Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Lot 41313, Pinggir Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Phone : 03-7727 7377 Fax : 03-7727 8788

First and foremost, this isn't my review! Some good chap on Lowyat.net decided to share his experience and I am just here sharing what he shared. However please do not let one negative tyre review determine the tyre shop's rating, as it may be a chance of bad luck.

For those of you out there, be wary when you change new tyres. One of my friend recently changed all 4 tyres on his Toyota Avanza, and was unlucky enough to acquired random nails on the 2nd day. When he went back to the tyre shop, they allowed him to purchase a NEW tyre for just RM100. What would happen to the OLD tyres? My guess is they would patch it back, somehow get OEM markers on them and resell as new. This is just my assumption, please do give the tyre shops in Malaysia benefit of doubt when patronizing them! I have been to a few decent tyre shops in Malaysia. Just holler for a recommendation!

Here is the excerpt from the thread: 

I am here to share my experience with Lim Tayar TTDI~~~~ (TOTAL RUBBISH)

I was at Lim Tayar on the 29th January 2014 to remove some nails on my tyre in the morning. Just like normal I sat there and waited for my car to be fixed.

5 minutes later, one of the mechanics said, Boss can come over for a moment.  Hmm So I walked to my car...

Fender Rolling for my Toyota Altis 2003

After I changed to sports spring and short stroke absorber, my 17" rims scrub the fender when going over bumps or even on uneven highways. Took me quite a while to source for a shop with the proper equipment, as most workshops only use a hammer to knock the fender. However, for a proper job, a roller is preferred, as it is able to roll the fender evenly.

Fender Rolling Equipment

After Googling for a shop in KL / Selangor that does fender rolling at a reasonable price and with good workmanship, I went to Quick Save Auto Boutique @ USJ7. 

Everco - Exhaust Shop Review

   For those of you having exhaust problems or want to change your exhaust system, look no further! Everco is located in Sunway. For those of you who thinks Sunway's shops are expensive, then think again. The shop is located just beside Esso in Sunway. 

    Previously I have been to a certain chain of exhaust shop,which claims to be the most affordable. However, after 2-3 trips, my exhaust is just noisy and powerless. The cost? RM180+RM350 for China Brand midbox and China brand muffler. After some searching around, I found Everco. The manager, Kingston, recommended me to change my midbox and muffler again. I had it changed for RM250 (midbox) and RM380 (for the muffler). Overall, I am very satisfied. Even though it is slightly more expensive than the so called cheapest exhaust shop, the exhaust is silent with a low bass. My car also experience much better acceleration.

    By the way, be wary of those exhaust shops that will "throw" away your catalyst converter for you; these catalyst convert, no matter the condition can still be sold for RM80++. The shop in most cases will simply put it at one corner and hope you forget to take it.

The bullet on the left is the midbox from Everco, where else the one on the right is a bullet from the previous exhaust shop. The size difference contributes greatly to the sound. 1 Everco midbox can suppress more noise than 2 China brand bullet type "muffler".

Take note of the horrendous welding done by the previous exhaust shop. Everco's welding is much better! (Sorry, didn't take picture of Everco's muffler; the picture shown is a China brand muffler).