ky130

Maybe a bit more clarification. There is really not much to notice below 25 mph. Also, since I'm not much of a speeder, I'm not really over 55 mph very often (typical routes only go to 55 mph). That said, there is more intensity at 55 vs 25, but it's not a huge increase. Frequency may increase, but it's hard to be certain of that fact. I'd be willing to bet that it would be quite intense at 100 mph, but there's no need to go that fast just to determine how bad something is. I'm just looking for a completely smooth ride at 55. I'll check back in once I get someone that can RF match a wheel/tire assembly.

There has always been just a slight vibration in the vehicle. Not a lot through the steering column (slight/not increased with speed), just noticeable in the vehicle itself. I do feel it a bit in the pedals (gas/brake). This is not while applying the brake, I would have changed the rotors already, had that been the issue. This is not road feel, I promise, I do like the fact I feel more of the road with this car’s setup. I even feel this on a newly paved road. I know it’s hard to tell what type of person is typically asking the question and what their level of knowledge is. I do know my way around general maintenance. Granted, I wasn’t trained on cars, just F-16s and general aviation aircraft. I do know something’s not right, it’s not serious, just annoying and I’d like to put an end to it.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I know all about the wheel diameter with regards to sidewalk height. I’ve thought about going to 18” wheels to give a bit more sidewall to absorb some hits. Although, my tires currently have only 5k miles on them. Good brand or not, I’d just be throwing away those tires. That’s why I was looking at getting the same size wheel, so that the existing tires could be fit to them. I’m just torn on what to do. My gut tells me the tech didn’t really know how to use the Hunter machine and I should locate another shop that uses a Hunter system, maybe a dealer?? Guess I’ll just have to go in and ask if they actually know how to use their equipment. Ask them for a demonstration of how to RF match a wheel and tire assembly.

2015 Fusion Titanium w/ 90k miles. Factory H-spoke 19” wheels. One wheel is new, due to a pothole taking a nice chunk out. That wheel was bought from dealer, new. Tires are Firehawk AS 235/40R19 with ~5k miles on them. It wouldn’t surprise me if the three older wheels had some sort of deformation due to hazards, but the forth is new and I would have recalled hitting a pothole recently. I’m curious if these 19” wheels are more susceptible to damage? Looking at aftermarket wheels, but which are best? My first thought is to replace the wheels, since I’ve never really had a perfectly smooth ride in this car. I found a set of BBS wheels that are nice, but that’s gonna run $1300.

I have been experiencing a pretty shaky ride with my fusion (19" H-Spoke wheels). I have never really had a completely smooth ride from day one. I read about the Hunter Road Force (RF) matching system. I took it to Tire Discounters (they have a Hunter Elite machine) and asked for the RF match/balancing. I actually asked for the 180 matching procedure, figuring this would give me the best matching possible. My tires have been on the vehicle for 5k miles and one wheel has 5k miles on it (new wheel due to pothole). The tech had never heard of the 180 method, but said he'd try. I guess it never got to that, because he said that the RF match failed for every wheel. Now, I'm unsure whether the procedure was done correctly or not. My only options are to 1) take to another shop 2) buy new wheels 3) buy new tires 4) 2&3. Anyone use the RF matching or have thoughts on it?