Problem with Car Balance


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My old swift seems to have some balancing problem, I can feel it at even lower speed, I dont know how to describe it, it some time feels like its swinging on wave, or like very slow motion on right and left. What might be the issue ? and what is the right place to have it checked up ! (Authorized service station, Garage, suspension specialist, or wheel alignment/balancing)

Note: it has tubeless tyres that are used but still can run upto 10K kilometers
 
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When was the last time you got your wheels aligned and balanced? Get it done at any tire outlet and i am sure you will feel the difference in the drive.
 
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Get a balancing+alignment done.

Get the suspension checked too.

Since you bought the car used, I suggest a through over all check up.

Did you have a look at the previous service history?
 
Thread Starter #5
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Get a balancing+alignment done.

Get the suspension checked too.

Since you bought the car used, I suggest a through over all check up.

Did you have a look at the previous service history?
Yes I had looked at the service history, but the previous owner din't do the service at authorized service station, but at a private service center, so I couldnt get much details, but just the kilometers at which the service was done.
 
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, it some time feels like its swinging on wave, or like very slow motion on right and left.
Sounds like tire damage. Just do balancing and keep a check on the monitor. If after adding weights more than 3 times does not show 0 on both sides your tire(or rim) could be the culprit.
 
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@Sramanandi:
Right now here is a small piece of advice from my side:-
1):First if all have a look at the roads where you are driving,its many times that we blame the car,but true culprit is the road and its deformations.
2):TSW,means Tyres Suspension wheels,if all these are perfect only then the car handles perfect.Take your car to a good reputed service center or Maruti authorised one and get all three of these thoroughly checked.Don't worry at all,this is a very small and generally occurring issue.Maybe your car may need wheel balancing.
3):Check the tyre wear,if its not uniform but is more at some places and lesser at others,then don't ignore and get the balancing and alignment done.

This is why I am asking mods to prepare a used car buyers PDI guide.This guide also must be as exhaustive as the new car PDI guide is.
 
Thread Starter #9
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Thanks for all the inputs, now should I take it to a tyre center or at Authorized maruti service center, and approx. how much it may cost to do above stuff !


Sounds like tire damage. Just do balancing and keep a check on the monitor. If after adding weights more than 3 times does not show 0 on both sides your tire(or rim) could be the culprit.
Where's the monitor !! Its my first car, and I dont much about.
 
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@Sramanandi:
Right now here is a small piece of advice from my side:-
1):First if all have a look at the roads where you are driving,its many times that we blame the car,but true culprit is the road and its deformations.
2):TSW,means Tyres Suspension wheels,if all these are perfect only then the car handles perfect.Take your car to a good reputed service center or Maruti authorised one and get all three of these thoroughly checked.Don't worry at all,this is a very small and generally occurring issue.Maybe your car may need wheel balancing.
3):Check the tyre wear,if its not uniform but is more at some places and lesser at others,then don't ignore and get the balancing and alignment done.

This is why I am asking mods to prepare a used car buyers PDI guide.This guide also must be as exhaustive as the new car PDI guide is.
I believe you have not gone through this comprehensive guide http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/automotive-library/2593-inspecting-second-hand-car-exhaustive-guide.html by 350Z [;)].

Further more, do not forget to take the car to A.S.S and get the paid inspection done. I say paid as the guys will do it with interest only when they are getting some cash.
 
Thread Starter #11
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I am planning to take the car to authorized service center, but before that I want to understand weather my suspension really needs repairing or replacement

1. Can any one tell me how do I know that my suspension has got troubles, its my first car and I really dont know what is a good suspension and what is bad :)

2. How do i test suspension

3. If there's any thing wrong with the suspension, how much cost it may take approx.

4. Should I go for some after market mechanic, or authorized service center only

Any thing else !

Note - Its a swift VXI 2006, with genuine 45,000 KM mileage

Thanks
 
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Just ask the person at the authorized service people to swap with some other car's rims and tyre.

i suspect the rim from what you have said , if you have done balancing and alignment.

Rim must have become oval shape due to some bad poth hole and hence the left right boat like swing.
I had this in my one month old estilo. blame me or the roads.
 
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ilango[speed thirst];121646 said:
Just ask the person at the authorized service people to swap with some other car's rims and tyre.

i suspect the rim from what you have said , if you have done balancing and alignment.

Rim must have become oval shape due to some bad poth hole and hence the left right boat like swing.
I had this in my one month old estilo. blame me or the roads.
Thanks for the suggestion, I would surely ask them about it..
How about my questions on suspension, I want to verify that as well, it would be great to have answers of above questions. As the Autoterrace guyz had told me that suspension is a bit weak, when I purchased this car from them
 
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How about my questions on suspension, I want to verify that as well, it would be great to have answers of above questions. As the Autoterrace guyz had told me that suspension is a bit weak, when I purchased this car from them
Press the car body pannel from all the 4 corners. If it jumps/bounces more than once (even after you take your hand off), then the suspension of that side could have be worn.

I read this somewhere, not sure how authentic though. Anyways, no harm in trying it.
 
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Try this, if you feel the shake through the steering wheel mostly, it is likely the tires on the front of the car causing the vibration. If you feel it through the seat to your backside, it is likely the rear tires. Once you determine that much (if you can) then one at a time jack each tire on that end of the car off the ground and give it a spin. If it is a bent wheel or bad tire, many times you can see it as it spins. You can then more easily look at strange wear patterns on the tire also.

When looking at the tire, check behind them at the shock absorbers (dampers) for any oil stains on them indicating a leak. If there is a large oil stain, then the dampers are bad.

To get an idea if the suspension is good or bad, when you have the tire off the ground, place a hand on the top of the tire and one on the bottom and try to wiggle it. If the suspension is loose, you will probably feel it as play in the wheel. Then grab the tire on the front and the rear and wiggle it again checking for looseness.

Be very careful when you jack up your car. Put a support under it so it cannot fall on you!

Good luck!
 

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