[BigFig15]

I got a problem with my car. I was going through a round about to get on the interstate and all of a sudden the steering wheel started shaking pretty bad like I had a flat tire. So I pulled over quick and checked the tires and they're all good, took off down the on ramp and it started shaking again. The shaking stopped when I applied the brakes. Luckily there was a Chevy dealer near by and I parked it there. I looked at the wheels and noticed a lug nut was missing from the passenger front wheel but everything else looked alright. Anyone have any idea whats going on? Could that one lug nut cause all this?


Thanks for the help

[init4fun]

There is a small chance that the lugnuts are loose on a wheel. If you lost one there is a chance that the remainder are loose. This is unlikely but I have seen it. By any chance has the car been in for service recently?

[BigFig15]

No. I had the stock wheels put on a couple weeks ago. I used a cordless impact and then a torque wrench. 140 ft lbs of torque was used

[gdgraph]

Yes, a missing lug nut could have caused the vibration. First thing that came to mind when I saw the title was a bent wheel or a non-balance wheel, but the vibrations usually occur at higher speeds, this sounds like a lug nut came off, others could be loose and the the corner of the wheel with the missing or loose nuts was coming off and on the hub making a heavy vibration, especially on turns when you're exerting more loads.

[Ecchi667]

Balance weights may have fallen off. Assuming you already checked the lugnuts? If not, check those first, replace the missing one. What was the reason to swap the wheels over? How much have you driven on the stock wheels since putting them on? Were they balanced when they were put on, or did you just swap them over yourself?

Did you buy new? Maybe the dealership will check it under warranty if you ask. Shouldn't take long to diagnose for a service department, and better to be safe than guess part by part.

[Gunmetalmissle]

What did you have on before? Is it possible a hubcentric ring from aftermarket wheels was left on? Also did you switch back to the stock lugs?

[Marty McFlew]

Originally Posted by BigFig15

No. I had the stock wheels put on a couple weeks ago. I used a cordless impact and then a torque wrench. 140 ft lbs of torque was used

If lugs were put on with a torque wrench how can you explain a missing lug nut?

[Slem]

Originally Posted by Gunmetalmissle

What did you have on before? Is it possible a hubcentric ring from aftermarket wheels was left on? Also did you switch back to the stock lugs?

Check for this, if it was left on this would cause a vibration and also could cause lug nuts to back off

[Whis]

I just had a stearing gear replaced for this exact issue, but only perceived it with my winter tires while turning left. After two balance checks, I took it in for a check and they said it was that and replaced it. Got it back today.