Vibration update, what we did today!

[bill pitman]

Background: I had a post in June relating to: "Check your ball joints!" Even tho the ball joints have play, I wasn't convinced that that was the main cause of my "front-end" vibration issue. As I stated in previous posts, I started to research wheel balancing and vibration control.
Hunter Engineering Co. , builds wheel balancer/vibration control systems(GSP9700), tire changers and 4-wheel alignment machines. I had emailed a representative and after several days I DID get a response!
Doug Woolverton, Northeast Division Manager of Hunter Engineering offered to meet with me in Lansdale,Pa. Hunter has a training facility there with various pieces of equipment (wheel balancer/vibration control machine, tire changers, alignment rack...).

So today, Doug, Gretchen and myself spent 2 1/2 hrs working on the wheels/tires of our Spyder. I had taken the wheels off the Spyder and spent Sunday night in Quakertown. The Hunter GSP9700 system has the ability to not only balance the wheel/tire assembly ,but to simulate a road test,using their "RoadForce" technology software. "RoadForce" allows you to not only balance the wheel/tire ,but to match the wheel/tire to help control/see the "spring-force" associated with the assembly. Hunter's website has great written info and videos which explain the concept.
It's been raining all day,so haven't done any road tests yet. I'll post good news, I hope. If not the quest will continue!

I wanted folks to know there are people and company's out there that will help work out problems. Sometimes it takes time ,but eventually things do get worked out.

Bill Pitman

 

[warp10]

:2thumbs: should be some good info, can't wait for results

 

[chris56]

had also a big problem with my frontwheels & bearing - but she runs perfect now ( 11.500mls) ..
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...alancing-the-front-wheels&highlight=balancing

everyone should check that - if there are vibrations on the steering...

 

[bill pitman]

Good News!!

Background: I had a post in June relating to: "Check your ball joints!" Even tho the ball joints have play, I wasn't convinced that that was the main cause of my "front-end" vibration issue. As I stated in previous posts, I started to research wheel balancing and vibration control.
Hunter Engineering Co. , builds wheel balancer/vibration control systems(GSP9700), tire changers and 4-wheel alignment machines. I had emailed a representative and after several days I DID get a response!
Doug Woolverton, Northeast Division Manager of Hunter Engineering offered to meet with me in Lansdale,Pa. Hunter has a training facility there with various pieces of equipment (wheel balancer/vibration control machine, tire changers, alignment rack...).

So today, Doug, Gretchen and myself spent 2 1/2 hrs working on the wheels/tires of our Spyder. I had taken the wheels off the Spyder and spent Sunday night in Quakertown. The Hunter GSP9700 system has the ability to not only balance the wheel/tire assembly ,but to simulate a road test,using their "RoadForce" technology software. "RoadForce" allows you to not only balance the wheel/tire ,but to match the wheel/tire to help control/see the "spring-force" associated with the assembly. Hunter's website has great written info and videos which explain the concept.
It's been raining all day,so haven't done any road tests yet. I'll post good news, I hope. If not the quest will continue!

I wanted folks to know there are people and companies out there that will help work out problems. Sometimes it takes time ,but eventually things do get worked out.

Bill Pitman

Finally, after some delays(rain,bad back), I was able to get the wheels back on the Spyder.
The left wheel/tire had been "Roadforce" tested and then the tire rotated on the rim to match the machine recommendation. No weights were needed and the final "Road Force Measurement(spring force)" was 7lbs.
The right wheel/tire was "rotated and matched" and 1oz of weight added behind one of the 3 spokes & 1/4oz at back edge of rim. Spring Force was a very good 3 lbs.
RESULTS: Handlebar and console "vibration" is gone. There is no more vibration in the 58-67mph area, like I had previously. No issues up to 85mph.

Bill

 

[boborgera]

Finally, after some delays(rain,bad back), I was able to get the wheels back on the Spyder.
The left wheel/tire had been "Roadforce" tested and then the tire rotated on the rim to match the machine recommendation. No weights were needed and the final "Road Force Measurement(spring force)" was 7lbs.
The right wheel/tire was "rotated and matched" and 1oz of weight added behind one of the 3 spokes & 1/4oz at back edge of rim. Spring Force was a very good 3 lbs.
RESULTS: Handlebar and console "vibration" is gone. There is no more vibration in the 58-67mph area, like I had previously. No issues up to 85mph.

Bill

:thumbup::thumbup::clap:

 

[bill pitman]

Additional info from Hunter....

Bill, Feel free to post the following on your CanAm Spyder forum. I should have taken a couple pictures of the cone & adapter setup we used!


Additional information that may be beneficial to others seeking a vibration-free ride with the use of Hunter's GSP9700 Road Force Balancer:


Hunter has a web site to locate shops that have 9700s (www.gsp9700.com) whereby you can enter a zip code and search around that area. You will not be able to know if the shop has sent technicians to Hunter's advanced "Rolling Smooth" training and you will not know if they have the adapters needed to mount and center the Spyder wheels on the unit. On the other hand, using the necessary adapters and procedure below isn't really advanced skill level.
Adapters utilized: #20-1929-1, Medium Duty Truck cone kit (see page 9 of Hunter Accessory Brochure) was needed as we used half of this two piece kit to establish a backing plate area on the balancer's hub that would accommodate the Spyder's small flat wheel surface. Without this, it would likely be a crap shoot to properly mount it with any other adapter pieces. #192-51-2, Smallest low taper cone (see page 11 of Hunter Accessory Brochure) was then used from the outside to center the wheel. With this "outside cone" set up it is also necessary to use the standard accessory #223-68-1, Pressure Ring with the wing nut (see page 6 of Hunter Accessory Brochure).


Procedure used:
1) Quick Check balancer calibration
2) Perform Centering Check on first assembly to insure the adapter set up was accurate and repeatable
3) Used SmartWeight mode, standard on all late model GSP9700s & older ones that have been updated
4) Reduced SmartWeight balance tolerances with a simple ccw turn of the GSPs knob
5) Insured that all tire pressures were consistent throughout processes (we used 20psi)
6) If tire to wheel matching is needed, best to use the "Measure Bare Rim" mode on the 9700 as the outer flange of the Spyder wheel is not suitable for an accurate measurement
7) Used tape weights and two plane "Spoke" mode to locate outer plane weights behind wheel spokes-out of sight


The vibration sensitivity of the Spyder isn't known (many car companies publish their maximum road force variation limits) but we were able to get one down to three pounds and the other down to seven pounds and this solved my vibrations along with a good SmartWeight balance. Consequently, if you can get the roadforce variation into single digits you're likely going to also experience success.


Bill here- I'm thinking of maybe buying the "low taper " cone & wheel spacer plate so I'VE GOT WHAT'S NEEDED for future balancing!

Bill