Tom and Ray: I'm a bit of a rarity. I'm 23 and love my Volvo 740. It's a 1991 with 130,000 miles. While most of my friends prefer sportier cars or big trucks, I couldn't be happier with my squared-off Swede. However, something weird has been going on recently. When I'm driving at 55 mph, the car develops a slight vibration. The vibration appears at about 50 mph and disappears at about 60 mph. The vibration isn't very intense, and I'm not too bothered by it. I'm just wondering what it is. -- Josh

Ray: Well, I'd say something is definitely out of balance here, Josh.

Tom: Aside from your taste in cars.

Ray: It sounds an awful lot like a wheel that's out of balance. That's what usually creates a shimmy at a specific speed.

Tom: Perhaps the last time you followed one of your friends in a BMW up onto the sidewalk, you knocked off a wheel weight and left one of the tires unbalanced.

Ray: For 20 or 30 bucks, I'd have all four tires rebalanced by a mechanic. And while you're there, ask him to check for any early signs of tread separation in the tires, which could also cause a shimmy.

Tom: And by the way, if he can see the air inside the tires when he inspects them, that means it's time for some new rubber, Josh

Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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