Tire balance

[Little Red]

I bought new Goodyear tires for my truck after I bought it.It has about 1200 mi. on it since then. Ever since that day I get what feels like a balance issue at 35-40 mph and about 62 mph. I called the tire shop and told him and he said bring it in but I haven't found the time. He also said that that model and year was notorious for that and it's the design of the rear suspension and there's nothing anybody can do. I thought he was blowing smoke and in 44 yrs of wrenching I never heard of such a thing. I had them off doing the brakes and switched the left side out and there's no change. It feels like both rear are the same. There's no problem in the front it seems. Anybody hear of such a thing? This is the 3rd. set for 3 diff. vehicles and he is a long time dealer and has a good rep.,service and prices. 2000 f150 xlt

 

[shane96ranger]

They do have an issue I've heard of in the rear end, but it's related to the park brake sticking. Have you looked into the park brake (both sides)? Another thing that comes to mind is a U-joint. Are your U-joints good?

 

[Little Red]

All is good. The wheels turn smoothly. It feels like the tires are egg shaped. They could be in balance but egg shaped.It'd be tough to get a new set after a year even though I only have about 1500 mi. on them. I spent a lot of time working on it but I can only afford older vehicles.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Maybe you just got unlucky and purchased a defective tire. Good thing you know the retailer well and it sounds like he is willing to help correct the issue. Have someone follow you and watch the tires when it happens. I have found many bad tire problems doing that.

 

[Little Red]

Good idea.Thanks

 

[Little Red]

Well, I took the truck to the tire dealer and he rotated the tires... no-good. Then he rotated them 180 deg. on the wheels...no-good.He admitted there was a problem and rebalanced them...no-good. He offered to call Goodyear. I said I'm going on a 400 mi trip the next day and will report back. It's better but if I rotate the tires it will shake again. I think I'll have him call Goodyear and see what they say.

 

[shane96ranger]

I have a brand new set of USA made Coopers on my Escape. Yesterday was the first time we've used it on the freeway. Damn thing has one hell of a shimmy at 70 mph. I had to take the last set back in 3 times before they got it right. It's been a long time (nearly 20 years) since I balanced a tire.... but I know enough to say it ain't rocket science.

Hopefully the guy you got knows WTH he's doing.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

 

[Little Red]

It seems he does but I have a friend that had balance issues w/Coopers. I like Coopers. Had them before but he went to another shop to rebalance his Coopers and they were out. He went back to the first place,another well known and popular place w/good prices and the guy swore up and down there was no problems with anything. He talked to the guys that changed and balanced his tires and they told him the balance machine was worn out and the boss knew it.We don't buy there no more. The new guy I got has been around 20+ yrs and this is my third set from him and no problems with the other 2 sets on 2 other vehicles. Shane, What was the suspension issue with the 2000 F150? Thanks

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

All is good. The wheels turn smoothly. It feels like the tires are egg shaped. They could be in balance but egg shaped.It'd be tough to get a new set after a year even though I only have about 1500 mi. on them. I spent a lot of time working on it but I can only afford older vehicles.

It could be a defect as well. We had guy bring his tractor in for a very violent vibration after he had new tires put on it, it would about throw you against the roof of the cab in road gear. The tractor itself was fine so he took it back to who he had put the tires on and the bead was off 1-1/2" from being in the center of both rear tires.

I have had four sets of tires on my '02 running the gauntlet in quality and age... never had a problem with vibration like what you are having.