Simple fix

[04blackcherry]

After replacing parts to try to cure the "Death Wobble" I still was not confident with how the truck felt on the freeway at 65-70mph. Too much bounce and shake. Looked at new tires (I have 40,000 on this set) but ended up just having these rebalanced. I decided I might want to try some aftermarket springs to help out.



While talking to Sean Lorenz @ Lorenz Industries, he felt I had a pretty good set up with the 5100 Bilstein shocks and some of the other things I had done and suggested simply changing air pressure in the tires front to back. I put 50 in front and 40 in the back and drove to work. It made a big difference. While talking I found he runs 315 BFG's also (apples to apples). The truck settles down faster after hitting bridge and road joints. He suggested that the rear of the vehicle is sometimes the culprit for handling issues. Makes sense, being as stiff as it is on my HD. I might not try hauling a cord of wood with 40 in the rear, but I run empty or close to it most of the time.



For real, the truck was a different animal when I drove it this morning. Gave me back a little confidence from the wobble ordeal.

 

[Kry226]

I have about 90K on BFG 315s and never one hint of DW. You should always run max pressure on the fronts, 50 psi. Then run enough air in the rear to get total tread contact across the tread. Use some chalk to draw a line on the drive way perpendicular to the tire tread, then drive across/over. Once you get the chalk line to show across the tire from tread shoulder to tread shoulder, that should be your rear psi. Will probably be in the neighborhood of 40 psi.

 

[04blackcherry]

I was thinking the same thing. Measure the rolling diameter of the tires. Thanks.

 

[telliott]

I have about 90K on BFG 315s and never one hint of DW. You should always run max pressure on the fronts, 50 psi. QUOTE]



Max is only 50? most load range E tires are more like 80 PSI max

 

[04blackcherry]

BFG 315/70-17's are a D tire.

 

[Lorenz]

I ran the 315 BFG for a long time. The soft side wall is a huge benefit in the sand. You can lay down a monster cross section when aired down for traction. But, the soft side wall will put a magnifying glass on any worn suspension or steering part that induces DW. I found the BFG's to be a great tire if you used them specifically for their softer side wall.