Thumping noise coming from front tires

NAILMAMA76

MEMBER
2004 SATURN ION
2.2L
4 CYL
MANUAL
108,600 MILES

When going over 50mph, my front left tire was thumping &whole car was shaking. I had a wheel alignment done & got new rims (old ones were "bent") & shaking is better, but thumping/wobbling is still coming from frontend, which, now feels more like front right tire. Only happens when tires are straight, though. As soon as I turn wheel slightly to right or left, it stops. I was told it was bc my rims were bent, & I did replace fronts, but not yet the backs. Could the back rims be causing this issue, even though the problem is only in the front?

Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 AT 6:37 AM

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Have you tried rotating the tires front to rear? That will eliminate tires and wheels altogether.

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 AT 7:36 AM

NAILMAMA76

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes, I've up kept tire rotations & wheel alignments. In fact, I bought car in April'13, & tires were a few mths old. BC of the shaking, I had it aligned w/in 1wk, & by July'13 front tires were shot, balding completely unevenly. I bought 2 new front tires, & to upkeep warranty, upkept rotations/alignments, & again, by end of this winter, they were ruined, balding unevenly. So, I got 2 new tires, AGAIN, put them on new new wheels/tires on front, had front tires moved to back, & new ones put on front. In addition I had it aligned. It seemed better-not gone, but now is slowly getting worse.

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 AT 2:16 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

I really don't understand why a competent tech can't find this problem. I can't be much help with even seeing the car. It shouldn't be that hard to pinpoint. Has he run the car in the air to see if the problem is present then?

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 AT 2:22 PM