Has anyone else noticed that when snow gets packed in the 17" wheels it real throws the balance off big time. I thought I threw a wheel weight or something. It must be the additonal weight further from center.

This happens on all vehicles that attract snow (or mud)--why wheel covers actually help (but not available obviously for our vehicles). Try driving with that snow (or mud) at 60 mph -- feels like your vehicle is just thumping along. Important to try and clean it out before going on highway.

I've had this happen at highway speed. Took a while to figure out why I had tires going out of balance, then correcting themselves, as ice, snow, mud, etc, flew off. No real solution here, except cleaning the wheels, when possible, as deercroft suggests.

There is another thread talking about this problem with others talking about it too. Not sure where it is right now though.
At least you know how to fix the vibration though :)
Rich

I had it happen once after I drove through a foot of frozen ice and slush. When I got to a stop light I turned the stearing all the way both left and right. It was ok after that.

I have the same problem. The first time it happened I had no idea what was going on but by the third time I just got used to it.

I believe it's best to clean it off as soon as possible. All the shaking and vibration doesn't help the suspension and other components, especially on our vehicles where the body is the frame.

I had to go to the self car wash yesterday. My steel wheels were not only filled with ice but mud. I live 4 kms back a dirt road and with the Jan thaw, they were packed with mud. I put in a coin and washed the sides and bottom. Then moved the car and did the tops which were now on the bottom.

Beautiful - back to a nice smooth ride. Living on a dirt road for 20 years this is a ritual in the spring when the roads thaw and turn into a mud run.

The 17" wheels have lots of space the spray through although the 16" ones aren't bad. I got the steel wheels as they are more durable for the dirt roads. In my years I have ruined a few wheels striking the end of rutts.

<snip>
I got the steel wheels as they are more durable for the dirt roads. In my years I have ruined a few wheels striking the end of rutts.

That's why I stayed with the base steel wheels also. I drive a badly rutted dirt road that has a bunch of rocks and goes over a couple of rock ledges.

That's why I stayed with the base steel wheels also. I drive a badly rutted dirt road that has a bunch of rocks and goes over a couple of rock ledges.

If you weren't two states away, I'd say I live on that same dirt road. :doh:

Are you all sure it is snow in the wheels?? I live at 7800' in SW Colorado Rocky Mountains. Been driving snow for over 25 years. Never seen the problem.

Are you sure it isn't your tires getting hard from sitting in the cold all day or at night and having a bit of a flat spot on them. Some tires are much worse than others. After they warm up it goes away. I've had tires that literally thump down the road until they warm up. Really a problem on trailers out here because the trailer sits for days or weeks and then is used. IE snowmobile trailers notorious.

Just something to think about.

driving through snowbanks (because I can) last night, and yup, the front wheel (17") picked up a horrible imbalance from the snow packed in. It felt like one wheel was oval instead of round.

thanks to this bb, I new immediately what was up, and cleaned out the snow - problem solved immediately

Are you all sure it is snow in the wheels?? I live at 7800' in SW Colorado Rocky Mountains. Been driving snow for over 25 years. Never seen the problem.

Are you sure it isn't your tires getting hard from sitting in the cold all day or at night and having a bit of a flat spot on them. Some tires are much worse than others. After they warm up it goes away. I've had tires that literally thump down the road until they warm up. Really a problem on trailers out here because the trailer sits for days or weeks and then is used. IE snowmobile trailers notorious.

Just something to think about.


i thinks you are thionking of bias ply tires, radial donot creatate flat spots if they do they ar minimal. most small trailer tires are bias ply or a steel belt style construction( not to be confused with steel belted radials)
i have had the same problem with snow in the wheels throwing off ballence

sorry , not to sound like an ass, but just throwing in for some clarification

i thinks you are thionking of bias ply tires, radial donot creatate flat spots if they do they ar minimal. most small trailer tires are bias ply or a steel belt style construction( not to be confused with steel belted radials)
i have had the same problem with snow in the wheels throwing off ballence

sorry , not to sound like an ass, but just throwing in for some clarification

No problem, still learning with our new Patriot. I live in snow and haven't had it happen yet but will watch for it. we got almost 3' at the house in 30 hours the other day. Buried. Patriot did excellent.

Has anyone else noticed that when "SNOW" gets packed in the 17" wheels it real throws the balance off big time. I thought I threw a wheel weight or something. It must be the additonal weight further from center.

OMG! i can't believe this.....i say you get an attorney and SUE the makers of that 'snow stuff' for emotional distress and suffering......:icon_rolleyes: