I own an s4 vert and the driver's side rear wheel has started shaking between 55-65mph. It has gotten worse over the past few weeks. Honestly, its confusing and I don't have a clue as to what it can be so here's the facts:

-New tires were mounted and balanced
-Noticed a vibration (whether or not it was immediately caused by the new tires i don't know it was just in the same general time frame)
-Got an alignment
-Vibration didn't stop
-Got the wheels re-balanced twice
-Still vibrates
-It's a speed related issue (vibrates no matter the gear or rpm, only dependent upon the speed)
-Switched the back wheels to the front
-Still vibrates

I'm at a loss I was sure it was the new tires, but when I rotated the wheels the problem persisted. I even jacked up the back and tried moving the wheels, no play whatsoever. Does anyone on here have any suggestions, ideas, or anything that could help me diagnose this problem? Thanks.

 

sounds like a bad wheel bearing

 

yea thats what I thought but usually with that there's slight play with the wheel and it didnt budge when i tested it out

 

I had the same symptoms on my FD and one of my wheels ended up being a little bent.

 

Are the tires directional mounted in the wrong direction

 

no lol i checked first thing when i got the wheels back for the 1st time

Also, I did a test with the car on a lift. I just ran the car up to "60mph" in my garage in 5th gear and the vibration was very noticeable.

 

Well since I rotated the tires I assume that would feel the vibration move with it but it still remains in the back left area.

 

Check the lower ball joints..
My vert had a "sneaky" ball joint.It would act up at different speeds but when I jacked it up to test it,it would not "show up".
The only way I found it was to put a pry bar between the spindle and lower control arm and put pressure on it..THEN I saw movement.

 

Thanks! I'll try that and post results.

 

Also, would this manifest itself with steering wheel vibration at certain speeds? It would seem that way but I have no wobble in the wheel at all. It certainly feels like its coming from the left rear, not from the front end.

 

If its the rear it's not the ball joints. It could be a number of issues. Have a look at play in wheel bearing, cv axles, u joints in main drive shaft. All mounts including trans and rear diff/subframe. It really sounds like a drive train issue. I had this same problem in my Vert last summer, ended up being the driveshaft u joint and the cv shaft. Same issue you are describing. Good luck, keep us posted!

 

Non-stock wheel with a different center bore and missing a hubcentric ring?

 

Still have the stock vert wheels...

Im taking it to get balanced, rotated, and checked. If that doesn't work, I'm returning the tires to TireRack. Hopefully it will work out.

 

Well, looks like I need new wheels. Both of my rear wheels are warped slightly. RIP vert wheels. Thanks for all the input and suggestions.