Very expensive tires

[Dieselnerd]

I just got some new Michelin LTX 265's, load range E. Nice tires but somewhat expensive. That wasn't the bad part, they were unable to balance one of the wheels. (truck had been shaking slightly but I thought it was a balance problem) As it turned out, one wheel had excessive runout, over 1/4", and it wouldn't balance without 16 oz. of weights which is ridiculous. I called every used wheel place in the Twin Cities Metro area and also several out of state places but no one had a 16" chrome 8 bolt wheel. They all said the same thing "get it at a dealer" they are rarely at a salvage yard. I also tried several wheel repair shops but they wouldn't even try to straighten it. It almost looks like it was a defect when new since I never hit anything and there are no marks on the wheel. Anyhow, I broke down and got one from a dealer for $401. 50 incuding tax. Yikes! Now don't a whole bunch of you tell me you have extras for $50! Just thought you might enjoy the story... .

 

[Mad Max]

I'd tell said dealer to warranty or goodwill said part, that's b. s. and clearly a manufacturing issue and not from "use" or "abuse".

MAD Max

 

[Dieselnerd]

Well Max, I'd do that but my truck is a '96 and long out of warranty. This is my third set of tires. The last set were Goodyears and they didn't mention a problem to me when I got the new tires although one wheel (I suspect the bad one) did have quite a few balance weights on it. I never thought that much about it at the time. Those were the stock size 245's and I think the new 265's being larger makes the slightly bent wheel more critical.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Dieselnerd,
Next time find a shop that uses the Hunter GSP (?) balancers - I've heard very good things about them. They end up matching the heavy spots on the rims & tires. Might not have solved your problem but certainly worth a shot - $400 a pop.

Brian

 

[Randy J]

Too late to help you, but if anyone else has a similar problem, there's a wheel & tire shop here in San Antonio and Houston that has take off wheels. Much less than $400.

Forgot to ask, how's the flooding going? I used to live in Cottage Grove, just south of St Paul. Sure do miss living in Minnesota.

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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average

[This message has been edited by Randy J (edited 05-04-2001). ]

 

[Bad340fish]

Switch it with your spare if you have one
Clark

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Too bad, i had a brand new stock wheel for only 50 bucks!

Kidding!, Bummer on the deaer price, they are thieves,.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Randy, the flooding is not too bad around the Cities. The Minnesota river is pretty high and you need a boat to get to the Blackdog Lake power plant. Area along the river between 35W and Cedar avenue is one big lake but all in all not bad.
Bad340, good idea about the spare but the penny pinchers at Dodge Mfg. make the spare wheel out of painted steel and I have the SLT with chrome wheels. It would work fine but not look too good.

 

[klenger]

Are you sure you didn't hit anything with the wheel? That would be considered an accident and be covered by insurance, but if your deductable is high it won't help.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Cooker]

The chrome Dodge wheels are notorious for being poorly built. At least in my neck of the wood they are. Sorry to here about your misfortune with the "stealer".

-Ryan

 

[Jeff H]

Howdy. Ya Ive got a bent rim. But I think the previous owner did it. The lower arm that connects to the front axle was bent and torn a little. I think he got plenty of good farm use out of it.
Theres a rally going on in Decorah Iowa. Check out the event forum NE Iowa. Its scheduled for May 19,20. Can throw your truck on the dyno cheap.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Dieselnerd:
... good idea about the spare but the penny pinchers at Dodge Mfg. make the spare wheel out of painted steel and I have the SLT with chrome wheels. It would work fine but not look too good.

(Assuming you have a 2500... . )

Make me an offer. I've got four from my '98 2500 gathering dust. Are you prepared to drive to Madison to get it? And swap wheels? (I'd like to keep the four handy in the event I ever sell the truck. Wait. In another post, I said I intended to keep the truck for a long time. Do I *really* need to waste the storage space?)

I'll be in Madison end-of-month relaying some Rickson tires to SF. 'Twouldn't be difficult to toss in an extra wheel or two!

Fest3er

 

[Dieselnerd]

Fest3er, Thanks for the offer but I don't need any more wheels right now since I already purchased one from the dealer (stealer?)

 

[groundpounder]

Hey guys I have posted alot of info. on OEM stuff selling dirt cheap on Ebay. I have bought numerous items on eBay and have had no problems. You can buy grills, hoods, wheels, tires, headlights, tail lights, front and rear bumpers, hect you can buy everything to make a new truck!!!! If you have any questions just email me!! And by the way if you see a item with the high bidder of husky100 thats me!!

 

[Lordsman]

Bought one from a salvage yard to replace the spare tire wheel so I could put the spare into rotation. Had to wait 3 days, if I remember it was $135. 00. Came off of a 96 I think. So they are around if you look hard enough. Problem is I've never got around to putting it on! Hopefully I can get 3 new Michelin tires(stock), and use the spare for the fourth when tires need replacing.

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99 2500SLT,QC,4x4,6-spd, 3. 5 lsd,LB,Camper group , Jacobs E-Brake, Autometer Pyro & Boost guages, Rhino liner, Airlift 5000 airbags, Redline hitch,Tekonsha brake control,Diamomd plate bed rails,Dodge grill & splash guards.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Jeff H, thanks for the invitation to the dyno event. Dave Goerend, who is hosting the dyno event, is beefing up my transmission on May 29th so I will probably get to see my dyno results then. By the way, I will be removing my BD Pressure Loc before I make the trip to Dave's shop. He said it won't be needed after the mods unless I have an exhaust brake, which I don't. Anyone interested in getting the Pressure Loc from me, email me. I'll let it go for about 35% of what I paid for it last year. It is the single vacuum style with spring return, not the double vacuum. Works great.