Downsizing BFG A/T 315's to 285's ....anyone else?

[SHyans]

I can't deal with the this!

Death Wobble at 3k miles, now axle joint gone at 10k miles.

Dealer says it is the 315's. I am caving in and going down to 285's.

I'd appreciate any comments anyone may have about this decision.

Is the dealer blowing smoke up my fanny or what?

 

[JPitha]

did the same last year. both axle u-joints and ball joints within 40,000 miles. happy with the 285's.

 

[Regcabguy]

I think its a wise move going smaller but I'd switch brands. My BFG's have never delivered the highway ride and handling I expected of them. Going with a Toyo m-55 next. I don't know if they offer them in an E-rating for you 17" guys.

 

[rmcnamee]

I have stock tires and have 30K on my 2004. Just recently, I've had the axle u-joints replaced and now I need the ball joints done. While the 315s may account for some of your wear, it's most likely not the main problem. Remember that DC uses nongreasable u-joints and ball joints up front and the bottom line is that they don't last long.



Now as for the "Death Wobble", this can/could be caused by the 315s, but it may not be main/sole contributor. Remember that these front ends are very temperamental. If your shocks and/or steering stabilizer are starting to wear out, the chances of experiencing the "Death Wobble" increases. In addition, the "Death Wobble" can/could also be caused by tires that are not properly balanced, poor alignment settings (specifically the caster), worn tie rod ends, loose/worn track bar. I was running RS9000 front and rear, until they started to go down the toilet. After running them for around 18K miles, they just couldn't do the job anymore. I would get the "Death Wobble" bad every time I hit a substantial bump. So I figured until I switch up to the KORE set-up, I'd throw a set of OEM shocks on the truck. Well, the difference was night and day... . no more "Death Wobble" or atleast not the up/down type. However I would still get a little side to side wobble, so I replaced my Rancho steering stabilizer (again with about 18K miles use on it) with a stock unit. The end result was amazing. No more "Death Wobble" at all... period. After installing the OEM shocks and steering stabilizer, I went for a drive on the Interstate and hit every possible bumps, pot hole, etc. and never had a hint of a wobble.



Good luck with your truck.

Ryan

 

[MickeyMiller]

It doesn't make sense... I have a '03 4X4 and I've been running 315 BFG AT's for 35K miles. No death wobbel (up to 107 MPH, verified by GPS), ball joints still tight, U-joints still tight, tires wearing normal (rotated every 6K)... still over 1/2 tread left. Included a lot of fire road running, several 2400 mile round trips (MT to CA and visa versa) no problems. Why are some people having issues and other not? Is it just manufacturing tollerances?

 

[nickleinonen]

i might downsize [305/70 or 295/70] when i need new tires, but at that time, i will probably change wheels [i like those new centerline ones 17x8. 5-6"bs] so slightly smaller tires on new wheels, and get some agressive 33" or 35" for stock wheels for winter use...

 

[Tourqamata]

i've been running 315s for 1yr. now and had to replace the ball joints last month @62,000 miles. The truck had 45,000 on it when i installed the leveling kit and 315s. I just dont think that the larger tires where the cause of my ball joint problem after talking to the dealership and the mechanic that finally replaced them, he said the factory ones aren,t that great. I personally love the looks and performance of the taller tires to care about something like ball joints because their going to always be something that gets replaced.

 

[SHyans]

Dealer says my axle u joint was toast.

I again asked about the tires and this guy told me it is the luck of the draw on what probelms you have...

"Some people have front end problems, some people have vibration problems. . "

He said he has a lot of customers with 315's and they have no front end issues.

Lucky me, I could have the vibe!

 

[2broke2smoke]

i always laugh when people blame death wobble on BFGs



so how come the thousands of hummers they come stock on don't have the dealth wobble?



how many thousands of 35" bfgs get sold a year?



we have 25k on ours and they are wearing smooth and about 1/2 tread left



50 psi in the front and 25 in the rear

 

[SHyans]

i always laugh when people blame death wobble on BFGs



so how come the thousands of hummers they come stock on don't have the dealth wobble?



how many thousands of 35" bfgs get sold a year?



we have 25k on ours and they are wearing smooth and about 1/2 tread left



50 psi in the front and 25 in the rear

I think it is the tire size and not the brand that is the problem for me. I've been putting BFG's on all my trucks and have always been very happy with the performance, wear, etc.

I just happen to have a truck that gets it's panties in a wad with this size of a tire. As I stated, I am staying with the BFG's but going to a smaller tire.

I happen to have the luxury of being good friends with a tire dealer so changing is not going to cost me much.

 

[GWBourne]

what brand and tread patern 285 are you looking at?

im looking for new tires as well. i would love to spring 3k for ricksons NOW, but i have to have 3k to spring... or find a way to get away with springing a bank... . not gonna happen ever.



thanks.

Grant

 

[SHyans]

what brand and tread patern 285 are you looking at?

Grant

This one:



#ad




The BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO Tire is the All-new version of America's best all-terrain tire. ShoulderLock Technology. Even more go-anywhere traction, durability. Exceptional treadlife. Same great looks. Meets RMA definition for passenger and light truck for use in severe snow conditions. TriGard construction for serious durability. The BF Goodrich All Terrain TA KO Tires have excellent traction and handling on- and off-road.

 

[Tim]

Death wobble comes from caster... .



Bigger tires don't make axle u joints wear faster.



Ball joints, probably though due to heavier.

 

[SHyans]

Death wobble comes from caster... .



Bigger tires don't make axle u joints wear faster.



Ball joints, probably though due to heavier.

I can't seem to find anyone here in U-tard that can seem to do anything but get a blank stare on their faces when I ask them about adjusting my caster.

"there ain't no caster to adjust on them things. . "

If anyone has a recommend that would be helpful.

 

[Tim]

Check on your control arms. There are bolts that adjust caster, you'll see them. If I was home I'd snap a picture for you.

 

[GWBourne]

This one:



#ad




The BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO Tire is the All-new version of America's best all-terrain tire. ShoulderLock Technology. Even more go-anywhere traction, durability. Exceptional treadlife. Same great looks. Meets RMA definition for passenger and light truck for use in severe snow conditions. TriGard construction for serious durability. The BF Goodrich All Terrain TA KO Tires have excellent traction and handling on- and off-road.

thanks, i saw that just after i posted this up... are they "E" rated?

Grant

 

[BillGotthelf]

Been running my BFG's for 17,000 miles. I love these tires. I can see these tires lasting at least 50,000 miles. Ride is good, traction in sand is great, no death wobble here like my 3500 96 4x4 had. I already bought a set of brand new take offs from a H2 that will be my replacement tires. Oh by the way balancing beads work great with these suckers.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I had slight DW issues that were cured with the Kore stabilizer bar drop blocks.



So far at 22,000 miles everything is still tight.



Why in the heck do the axles joints fail? they are hardly used by most of us. Yes they are always connected to the hubs but most of the time except in 4x4 they shouldn't be seeing any load. That's strange.

 

[Tim]

They're worn out because they're bearings, and even without load, they're turning all the time. It's a foolish design but that's the answer. They wear out because they're always turning.

 

[SHyans]

thanks, i saw that just after i posted this up... are they "E" rated?

Grant

Come both D and E I believe... .