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Old 01-19-2015, 03:06 PM   #1
ZRGLNG
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Default Vibration at Highway Speeds (2015 WRX)

I'm hoping someone can offer me some sound advice on this. I bought a 2015 WRX Limited last October and ever since I've had the car, it vibrates (slightly) at 65 mph and above. It feels like it is coming from the passenger side. I took it to Subaru when I first discovered the problem and they claim it is not vibrating. I took a test drive with one of the mechanics and while I could feel it, he kept saying he didn't feel any vibration and suggested that whatever i was feeling was just the road surface. Since then, I had winter tires put on. The vibration persists. I then brought it into the same Subaru again and spoke with the head mechanic. He told me him and one of his guys took it out and did not feel anything, again suggesting that it was probably just the road I was feeling or the tires I was using (mind you, the same exact thing was happening with the stock dunlop summers). I know and can feel the difference between bumps in the road and a constant consistent vibration at a certain speed range but Subaru refuses to acknowledge the problem. What should I do at this point? Take it to a different Subaru? Take it to my own mechanic? My thought is that it is either a wheel that is out of round or maybe a faulty wheel bearing. I guess it could be something in the suspension but not sure what would cause a light shaking/vibration at highway speeds. I guess I could also take it to a wheel shop and have them take the tires off the wheels to closely inspect the wheels, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money out of my own pocket to find the problem. Again, this problem has been present since day one so it is not something I did to cause it. Can anyone recommend my next course of action? Thanks.
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Old 01-19-2015, 03:46 PM   #2
sc00by4life
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Sounds like a bad balance.

Have you tried having either one of the sets of wheels re balanced?
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Old 01-19-2015, 03:55 PM   #3
ZRGLNG
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
Sounds like a bad balance.

Have you tried having either one of the sets of wheels re balanced?
Sorry - I left that detail out. The first time I brought it in, I insisted the mechanic balance the tires. One was off by 1/2 oz and one was 1/4 oz off but even after the balancing, the problem persisted. I now have winters on there (balanced) and the car does the same thing.
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Old 01-19-2015, 04:05 PM   #4
sc00by4life
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its not out of the question for both sets to be out of balance.

road force balance or...? Who installed the wheels? Checked proper torque and seat?
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Old 01-20-2015, 10:17 AM   #5
acemastr
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Keep going back to the dealer until they get sick of you and actually look into it, I did this with my alignment (it pulls to the right, it still does even after the aligned and showed me the alignment figures).

Does yours pull to the right at all as well?

Does sound like balancing if it vibrates, I think all WRX have road feel through them from the suspension being fairly tight though.
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Old 01-20-2015, 10:28 AM   #6
dritgert
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I also have issues with this on my 2015 STI. The car pulls to the right when in the left lane on the highway. It also shakes when the car is really cold and I just put the DWS tires on. I have had subaru look into it a little and they said nothing is wrong with the tires. I do notice that after driving for some time the car is very smooth although it still pulls to the right.

I am going to have a mechanic friend of mine look into it.

Last edited by dritgert; 01-20-2015 at 10:35 AM.
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Old 01-20-2015, 01:18 PM   #7
ZRGLNG
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I'm not noticing any pull, really. Of course, it is hard to differentiate between the road being slightly curved or uneven and the car just going with it and the car pulling on its own. I had a local tire place put the winters on and they balanced that set. Subaru balanced the stock Dunlops. I would find it hard to believe that both sets of tires have something wrong with them, though. I'm just tired of them telling me there's nothing wrong. Again, I can tell the difference between the suspension just being stiff and feeling the road vs. the car is vibrating on one side only. I guess I'll take it back to the same Subaru, yet again. I'm not sure what balance system the Subaru I go to uses so I don't know if it's Hunter Road Force or something else.
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Old 01-20-2015, 04:51 PM   #8
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it is quite possible that both sets are out of balance. tire shops routinely employ ass-hats who don't know there elbows from their arse. ask around and find the go to tire/alignment shop. for me its tire-rack in nw indiana. the subaru dealer around where i live is notorious for delivering cars with all types of alignment issues. that said after you have exhausted that its not the balance then start looking at suspension ect. something could be loose...

good luck though hope you get it sorted
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Old 01-21-2015, 09:19 AM   #9
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I got my tires put on at andrewtech and I have never had an issue before with them putting them on. I might call them and ask if they have heard of any issues with the 15s. It might be the stiffer suspension in the back making you feel the road more, but with the stock tires I did not feel like my ass was swaying.

I am also having loud noises when I hit bumps on my front drivers side. Going to check the bolts today and see if something came lose. Anyone else having these issues?
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Old 02-02-2015, 07:00 PM   #10
TONYpepperon1
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I bought my wrx 3 days ago and im having that exact issue. Were you able to find a solution?
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Old 02-02-2015, 07:18 PM   #11
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Jack the car up and check for out of round and or concentrcity as both can cause the issues you describe. The sidewall might have a slight wow or elsewhere.

Another thought, remove each wheel, clean the mating surface, then remount. First only do nuts slightly snug then progress to 90 ft-lbs in two or three steps. Some of these tire monkeys do up one nut fully tight with the impact before getting the rest even slightly tight. Distorted wheels can result. Also check for mud build up inside the wheels.
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Old 02-03-2015, 08:23 AM   #12
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....Is there snow in your tires/up in your suspension? That causes extreme shaking at speeds above 40mph....
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Old 02-04-2015, 09:51 AM   #13
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^^^This just got me yesterday... Parked in a snowbank with my forester, drove to work, was vibrating horribly.
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Old 02-04-2015, 06:54 PM   #14
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Yes snow in the wheels will cause this as its happened to me in my 11. It could also be that the tires are just fked. I had a 78 280Z that I had the wheels balanced etc a few times but at a certain speed the steering wheel would shake like a dog !@#$ing chicken bones. I bought new tires and the problem went away.
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Old 02-05-2015, 04:31 PM   #15
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Have you checked the rims to see that they aren't bent?

Did the tire shop that installed your snows?
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Old 02-09-2015, 01:55 PM   #16
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Surprisingly the issue has gone away and I think the tires just needed to be worn in. Not sure if having everything put on in the winter affected the tires or not, I would think not, but it's possible.
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Old 02-12-2015, 08:54 PM   #17
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Just started having a low vibration as well, at around 75k, but on a 2011 wrx. Cant figure out what it is. Checked the engine/tranny mounts, bearings, and alignment was checked. I thought it was the tires as they were getting to around 40k, so I replaced them, but same issue. Those tires were balanced and rebalanced, then were replaced. I had put my winter tires on and no difference. I usually only feel it while cruising freeway speed, but at times at lower speeds. Tried removing the spt front strut brace and perrin brake brace but it didnt help. No other mods. Have the perrin pitch stop mount, but scared it will increase the vibration lol.


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Old 02-13-2015, 08:52 AM   #18
xxst1tch3sxx
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Once again I will ask.... Do you have snow in your tires?
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Old 02-15-2015, 08:08 PM   #19
ZRGLNG
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There's certainly no snow in mine. It was not bad tires and I do not have the tools to remove the wheels or tires to check the mating surface or wheels for out of round. My shaking/vibration has been present since day 1 (in the fall) on stock tires and the issue is still present with new winter tires. I am going to have them swap the wheels around if possible and see if the shaking changes sides. This shaking isn't present on two other 2015 WRX's I've driven so it is not normal for this car. It IS a problem. If Subaru still refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem I will bring my car to a mechanic and have them diagnose and fix the issue and I will be bringing the bill to Subaru to pay.


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Old 05-19-2015, 12:38 PM   #20
Steye05
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BACK FROM DEAD

Im currently having this issue right now on my 2013 wrx. At dealership again today. Car has new tires, only 200 miles on it, at speeds above 65mph I feel vibes from the passengers front wheel and side. They re mounted and balanced the front tires. I took it on freeway and came straight back for the issue. Balance helped a little but I had them check the tie rod ends, control arms, sway bar and bushings now. Its all warrantied or id do it myself and check but they won't let me look under the car myself. Hmmmmm.....There is no pull to one side and an alignment was done when I picked the car up.

Last edited by Steye05; 05-19-2015 at 12:41 PM. Reason: more info
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Old 06-28-2015, 03:16 AM   #21
ZRGLNG
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may be the same sort of issue but I've never driven anything but 15 WRXs. I fought tooth and nail and (after the dealership I was taking my car to damaged my car while working on it) they finally agreed to replace the car. at first, the new car had no vibration. I am now at 2,000mi and the same vibration has returned. not even close to the extent that the original had, but it does vibrate/shake. I have decided to live with it and hope that enough people complain for a them to figure it out and issue a TSB, but I'm not holding my breath. I can't see this just being a characteristic of how the AWD system feels. something is not right. good luck, man..
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Old 06-29-2015, 05:57 PM   #22
canoerman
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Default Similar problem

I have a 2014 Outback bought new last April. It has a subtle but persistent rattle when driven over road surfaces like worn concrete or high frequency washboard on dirt roads. Like your situation, the technician at first put it down to normal road noise. I made them test the vehicle over roads that I had previously identified as causing the noise. I also asked to ride with him in the same model off their sales floor, immediately followed by a test drive on the same road in my car. The difference was obvious and they acknowledged a warranty repair was needed. They have had the vehicle for over three weeks on two sessions and have not been able to identify the cause, despite replacing many suspension parts and extensive consultation with Subaru technical support. My next question will be - what will happen if they just can't fix it?
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Old 07-06-2015, 01:49 AM   #23
jnick66
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Default 2015 wrx

I have about 10k on my 15 and still on the stock dunlop's the only vibrating I get is the driver side tweeter in the dash.
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Old 07-11-2015, 02:21 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steye05 View Post
BACK FROM DEAD

Im currently having this issue right now on my 2013 wrx. At dealership again today. Car has new tires, only 200 miles on it, at speeds above 65mph I feel vibes from the passengers front wheel and side. They re mounted and balanced the front tires. I took it on freeway and came straight back for the issue. Balance helped a little but I had them check the tie rod ends, control arms, sway bar and bushings now. Its all warrantied or id do it myself and check but they won't let me look under the car myself. Hmmmmm.....There is no pull to one side and an alignment was done when I picked the car up.

Hmm make sure wheels was mounted on car correctly. Wheels must be centered on hub and lugs torqued correctly in a star pattern.
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Old 07-13-2015, 09:46 AM   #25
Steye05
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The dealership probably knows how to put the tires on. Or we could only hope right haha oddly the issue has resolved a little but I'm taking it back again.
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