Slight vibration at with Neuspeed RSE102/Michelin Pilot Sport AS. Road Force or not?

[patrick_b]

Looking for a second opinion on Road Force balancing. Neuspeed says not to use Road Force but everyone else recommends Road Force.

Bone stock 2021 S4, I run the OEM Black Optic wheels in winter with Pilot Alpin PA4's. In fall 2023, I bought new wheels/tires from Neuspeed direct (RSE102, Pilot Sport All Seasons in OEM size) to run in summer. They come mounted/balanced and I put them on myself the following year, spring 2024.

Right from the start I was getting a slight shimmy at certain speeds, ie., at 73mph it's solid but at 78 it vibrates ever so slightly, then solid again at 85 (just examples, not actual speeds). I rotated the tires/wheels that year but it didn't help. Then had a rebalance, alignment and checked the suspension just in case. No issues with the wheels/tires but the vibration never went away, even after rebalancing.

I just lived with it for the summer but when I removed my summer setup last fall and reinstalled my OEM wheels/winter tires the vibration went away completely. I'm about to re-install my summer setup but want to try rebalancing again. Just not sure if I should go Road Force or no. Again, OEM size, 255/35/19.

[Visceral1]

I have run Neuspeeds consistently for the past 4 years and have not experienced any issues with their wheels. That said, I would go the route of force balancing but wonder why Neuspeed recommends not to. They're a company I would trust but this issue seems to be squarely with the summer wheel/tire setup.

[patrick_b]

I have run Neuspeeds consistently for the past 4 years and have not experienced any issues with their wheels. That said, I would go the route of force balancing but wonder why Neuspeed recommends not to. They're a company I would trust but this issue seems to be squarely with the summer wheel/tire setup.

Thanks for the note. I’ll likely look for a non Road Force shop.

I checked in with Neuspeed after I had them rebalanced and they recommended a non Road Force balance:

“ Patrick,

[RE: Road Force] you actually don't want to use one! Most tire shops have these, and they're great at what they do. But they're not ideal for lower profile tires, compared to most common tire sizes you'd see on most other passenger cars.

See if you can find a local tire shop that uses an optical/laser balancing machine, and NOT a road force machine.”

[BaggedB9S4]

If you think the wheels are the issue then having a bare rim runout preformed would be the correct test, however that involves dismounting all 4 tires. Michelin are notorious for high road force read out until they get a few thousand miles on them. Road force balancing is just the start, they need to be properly match mount to lower the amount of balancing weights needed and mitigate vibration. If a shop just drops the roller on them and doesn't actually match mount the high/low spots then its just pointless. Also ensure you are using the right lug bolts neuspeed I think would be conical and also use hub rings if they are not hubcentric.

[patrick_b]

Super helpful. Thanks.

I get the feeling that the first time I had them rebalanced they didn’t do everything you mentioned. They are a reputable Indy euro shop but I’m guessing everything read to spec and they stopped there. They aren’t performance oriented. Maybe I’ll try to find a good shop that specializes in performance.

The tires are mounted but wheels are not yet on the car so I can leave them and have the tires dismounted if necessary.

I thought about the centering ring. For reference, Neuspeed recommends no centering ring needed and OEM lug bolts.

[rlme36]

If you haven't find a shop that does Pcar's, they are pretty particular, iykyk. (@nal about tires on the cars) those shops get it.

[Visceral1]

If you think the wheels are the issue then having a bare rim runout preformed would be the correct test, however that involves dismounting all 4 tires. Michelin are notorious for high road force read out until they get a few thousand miles on them. Road force balancing is just the start, they need to be properly match mount to lower the amount of balancing weights needed and mitigate vibration. If a shop just drops the roller on them and doesn't actually match mount the high/low spots then its just pointless. Also ensure you are using the right lug bolts neuspeed I think would be conical and also use hub rings if they are not hubcentric.

Pretty sure all the Neuspeed wheels are hubcentric... but all of this is very good info.