Resolution to flutter at 25-30 mph

[Suburbazine]

Did you have the car alignment after the installation of collars?

not yet.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

not yet.

10-4 I was just curious how much if any it was out specs.

 

[phdegraff]

On my 2016 Genny (V6), all 3 options, 27,000 miles) it is a very obvious vibration felt in the steering wheel and through my thighs - the seat. It goes away after maybe 1 to 2 miles of driving. When it happens it is annoying, and if I have a passenger, embarrassing. In another post I identified it with a U-joint - but why does it go away??? Is it only in all wheel drive cars?

 

[TinsleyC]

Not to switch gears here, but on a related note, I have a question - do new cars "shake out" after driving them a few thousand miles, when new? Like, can alignment shift a bit after putting in some miles?

My base '19 G80 has 3,500 miles now and it seems to drift a bit on the highway. Doesn't track as straight & solid as it did on day one. I haven't hit any curbs or anything, so have things loosened up? Tires appear to be fine.

I doubt the dealership would cover an alignment.. thinking about getting the lifetime alignment from Firestone, it's like $230.

 

[G-104215]

Not to switch gears here, but on a related note, I have a question - do new cars "shake out" after driving them a few thousand miles, when new? Like, can alignment shift a bit after putting in some miles?

My base '19 G80 has 3,500 miles now and it seems to drift a bit on the highway. Doesn't track as straight & solid as it did on day one. I haven't hit any curbs or anything, so have things loosened up? Tires appear to be fine.

I doubt the dealership would cover an alignment.. thinking about getting the lifetime alignment from Firestone, it's like $230.

Ask the dealer! What do you have to lose?

 

[Jbr123]

Slight flutter at slower speeds, but i dont think mine is mechanical. I THINK IT IS COMING THRU THE rear floor vents....like a plastic wobble .light flutter.....what do u think?

 

[Suburbazine]

Not to switch gears here, but on a related note, I have a question - do new cars "shake out" after driving them a few thousand miles, when new? Like, can alignment shift a bit after putting in some miles?

My base '19 G80 has 3,500 miles now and it seems to drift a bit on the highway. Doesn't track as straight & solid as it did on day one. I haven't hit any curbs or anything, so have things loosened up? Tires appear to be fine.

I doubt the dealership would cover an alignment.. thinking about getting the lifetime alignment from Firestone, it's like $230.

Firestone might offer a lifetime alignment, but their tool can't actually align the steering correctly (you have to align with the steering sensors to true 0) and after a few "alignments" you'll run into issues where the car handles strangely because stability control thinks you're turning. It's quite normal for the alignment to drift, but if it's only 3500 miles I'd expect the dealership to comp it under warranty.

 

[TinsleyC]

I was not aware there were "electronic" alignment requirements, I thought it was all mechanical. Great info! So, do alignments at the dealership?

 

[Markymark]

I was not aware there were "electronic" alignment requirements, I thought it was all mechanical. Great info! So, do alignments at the dealership?

Yeah! This car is so ridiculously complex I view it as a dealer-only machine.

 

[phdegraff]

Ask the dealer! What do you have to lose?

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[BillZ]

On my 2016 Genny (V6), all 3 options, 27,000 miles) it is a very obvious vibration felt in the steering wheel and through my thighs - the seat. It goes away after maybe 1 to 2 miles of driving. When it happens it is annoying, and if I have a passenger, embarrassing. In another post I identified it with a U-joint - but why does it go away??? Is it only in all wheel drive cars?

What you're describing is due to the tires "flat-spotting" after the car sits for a while. The flat spots disappear after the tires warm up with driving. This was a serious issue on the original Hankook tires fitted on the 2015's which were replaced under warranty with Michelins that frankly weren't much better. I've now had 4 differnet sets of tires and all flat spot to some degree. I guess it's the weight of the car and the UHP tires.

 

[phdegraff]

Hi BillZ, yours is a good guess but I have to disagree. The thumpity thump from flat spots on tires was very common when nylon-belted radial tires (as opposed to bias ply tires) first came out - early fifties here in USA. The nylon belts (or nylon under-steel belts) would develop flat spots after sitting a while (like overnight) and thumpity thump down the road we would go until they warmed up. Once nylon belted tires were replaced with Dacron (polyester) belted tires the overnight flat spots and their thumping virtually disappeared. I have not driven a car with that problem since about 1975. The problem with my Genesis is definitely not tires.
The vibration I am experiencing is a thrumming, not a thumping - way more so (higher frequency, could be called a buzz) than the old flat spotted tires. However I am still puzzled that the vibration goes away after 2 or 3 miles of driving or, of course, what the H is causing it. Thanks for responding.
Full disclosure: I am an 87 year old (long retired) electro-mechanical design engineer who raced (and tuned, and repaired) MGs, Jags and my '38 Ford rod WAY back in my twenties.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

Hi BillZ, yours is a good guess but I have to disagree. The thumpity thump from flat spots on tires was very common when nylon-belted radial tires (as opposed to bias ply tires) first came out - early fifties here in USA. The nylon belts (or nylon under-steel belts) would develop flat spots after sitting a while (like overnight) and thumpity thump down the road we would go until they warmed up. Once nylon belted tires were replaced with Dacron (polyester) belted tires the overnight flat spots and their thumping virtually disappeared. I have not driven a car with that problem since about 1975. The problem with my Genesis is definitely not tires.
The vibration I am experiencing is a thrumming, not a thumping - way more so (higher frequency, could be called a buzz) than the old flat spotted tires. However I am still puzzled that the vibration goes away after 2 or 3 miles of driving or, of course, what the H is causing it. Thanks for responding.
Full disclosure: I am an 87 year old (long retired) electro-mechanical design engineer who raced (and tuned, and repaired) MGs, Jags and my '38 Ford rod WAY back in my twenties.

I purchased a set of flat stoppers to combat the tire thump. It was driving me nuts . First 5 miles or so it was horrible. Not saying you dont have another problem .. This is the first car I have owned where it was so noticeable.

 

[TinsleyC]

I also parked the car on flatstoppers. Makes a huge difference .

You said the above last week but I wasn't sure what FlatStoppers were at the time.

Do you think it's the cause of you "flutter"?

After all that's been said and done, it would be almost humorous to find out the flutter is caused by flat spots on a tire.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

You said the above last week but I wasn't sure what FlatStoppers were at the time.

Do you think it's the cause of you "flutter"?

After all that's been said and done, it would be almost humorous to find out the flutter is caused by flat spots on a tire.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

You said the above last week but I wasn't sure what FlatStoppers were at the time.

Do you think it's the cause of you "flutter"?

After all that's been said and done, it would be almost humorous to find out the flutter is caused by flat spots on a tire.

Well I never really had a flutter. I had really bad flat spots . When I pull out if my drive way I have a short 1/8 mile at 25 mph then a stop sign. Then I get right up to 70 mph so for the first 5 miles os so the steering wheel would just shake something horrible. Then it would smooth out. Then when the car gets parked the tires are pretty warm , coming right from 70 mph to parking in my garage . Warm tire cold concrete. If I lived in a city it probably wouldn't bother me, due to the low speed limits.

 

[phdegraff]

Kraig, Bless you sir if you've licked your problem! I still don't buy that the tires on my car (Michelins) are causing the vibration I feel. As I described above my car's vibration, a distinct buzz. It is prominent ONLY at and close to 32mph - and goes away completely as I slow to 28 or speed up to 40. That is totally different from the thumpity thump we used to have with nylon belted tires. They were notorious for flat spots when cold and going "thump thump" (best way I can describe it) at all speeds not just the limited speed range I have been talking about. Yes, it might get to a sort of a buzz driving faster than 50-60mph - see also below.
I'm pretty sure we're working on two different problems here. I'm sure glad for you if you've solved yours - you didn't actually say so, btw.
(Did I notice there are two different threads on this website concerning this problem? The other one is stymied too.)
Another thought: IF a tire had flat spots all around its periphery it might cause a buzz, but tires sitting in the cold get a flat spot ONLY on the part that's been in contact with the ground - hence the thumpity thump from four such tires. They start in unison but get syncopated after a couple of turns in the road or parking lot.
I rest.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

Kraig, Bless you sir if you've licked your problem! I still don't buy that the tires on my car (Michelins) are causing the vibration I feel. As I described above my car's vibration, a distinct buzz. It is prominent ONLY at and close to 32mph - and goes away completely as I slow to 28 or speed up to 40. That is totally different from the thumpity thump we used to have with nylon belted tires. They were notorious for flat spots when cold and going "thump thump" (best way I can describe it) at all speeds not just the limited speed range I have been talking about. Yes, it might get to a sort of a buzz driving faster than 50-60mph - see also below.
I'm pretty sure we're working on two different problems here. I'm sure glad for you if you've solved yours - you didn't actually say so, btw.
(Did I notice there are two different threads on this website concerning this problem? The other one is stymied too.)
Another thought: IF a tire had flat spots all around its periphery it might cause a buzz, but tires sitting in the cold get a flat spot ONLY on the part that's been in contact with the ground - hence the thumpity thump from four such tires. They start in unison but get syncopated after a couple of turns in the road or parking lot.
I rest.

I understand where you are coming from . Different frequencies usually are different problems .Either way good luck in finding it. These are nice cars IMO . I am happy with the car. I take very good care of it. It takes good care of me. Safe Travels to all...

 

[phdegraff]

I understand where you are coming from . Different frequencies usually are different problems .Either way good luck in finding it. These are nice cars IMO . I am happy with the car. I take very good care of it. It takes good care of me. Safe Travels to all...

Thanks for your note. Yes, the Genny is a fabulous car and maybe the best car I've ever had (but that's goin' a looong way....)
Be safe. Be well!

 

[TinsleyC]

So what year models have this condition? I have heard '15-17, and '20, but not sure that's right. Any '18s or '19s reporting it?