Dunlop AT20's - poor quality?

[leftyrb]

I have experienced a vibration in the front end of my 2004 4Runner, with about 11,000 miles. I have had the tires balanced three times in the past two weeks, and the tire shop has now informed me that they are 'out of round', which would cause the shimmy. The solution - replace the tires! Anyone had trouble with out of round AT20 Dunlops, original equipment tires.

I don't think Toyota will warrant tires, and replacements are about $200 Cdn each

Thanks

 

[the_josh]

check your warranty card for the tires that came with the car. the tires are covered but you would deal with dunlop not toyota.

 

[hiluxsurf]

sorry to hear about your problem.....

2003 Sport V8....and had Dunlops...40K on them and never had any problems....

changed with BF Goodrich All Terrain KOs.....

Call Dunlop and see what they will say...

 

[leftyrb]

I called the Dunlop tire dealer to discover that original equipment tires do not have a warranty. I then called the Toyota dealer, who advised that they don't usually balance tires, would do so on my part and that the balance was covered by the warranty. They used a different technique from the other tire shops, when they had a 6 stud hub which spun the wheel as it would, as mounted on the vehicle. I have yet to drive a distance, but will try this weekend. Dealer believes it is ok now.

Moral: always seek a second opinion

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

I was reading the review about them tire and they SUCK!!!Tire Track Review

 

[BlueGP]

I have had my Dunlops balanced 4 times in the past month. The dealership has never been able to get them correct. They are replacing my tires tomorrow with new Michilens.

 

[BigPhill]

I got rid of the Dunlop At20's a few weeks after i bought the truck. They just plain sucked. No traction at all. The ride wasn't as smooth and i did feel some vibration. I switched em' out for Michelin LTX MS's. Major difference. Smoother ride, and traction in sand and rain (i live in FL) is superb. Although, I may be changing to a more beefier tire with deeper tread. Dunno yet..

 

[BlueGP]

So the dealership put new tires on my 04 4runner two days ago. Well the vibration that I was having is still there. I get it from 55 to 60. I have had the truck aligned and it has brand new tires on it now. The vibration is not there when I leave the dealership. It is only there after about the first 100 miles of driving. It is really driving me nuts. They put new cross terrains on the car and they ride great but at 55 to 60 mph the steering wheel shakes back and forth. I am clueless. Please help.

Thanks
Brian

 

[ssmumich00]

sounds like it's just not balanced. . .I'm having the same problem, and last time it happened, it was because the dealership balanced them improperly and they were out of round. . .

Suneil

 

[BlueGP]

Well after the Dealership balanced them four times I gave up. I went to Discount Tire....they have always been helpful.....and they were out of balance. They balanced the tires and all is good.

 

[Bluto]

Well after the Dealership balanced them four times I gave up. I went to Discount Tire....they have always been helpful.....and they were out of balance. They balanced the tires and all is good.

I never give anyone a 2nd chance to balance tires. If they don't get it right, I cut my losses and move on. Go somewhere else.


Try to find a shop with a good balance machine.

 

[Kmvreter]

My opinion...

is that these tires suck.
I bought steel wheels and my original plan was move the Dunflops to run them out for the winters. Then in the spring I would put better tires on the alloys. That all changed when it recently snowed and I had a chance to play with the Runner. There was hardly any accumulation on the ground and the streets were glazed over (not very icy) before the salt trucks got out. Next thing I know the ABS is kicking in as I come to a stop. The ATRAC starts kicking as I pull away. Buzzers are going off as I turn corners. The only way to minimze this was to go into 4 wheel mode. It was fun to try and break the ass end loose only to have it correct itself but I don't want to do this all winter.
Luckily I hadn't changed wheels yet. I searched here and on the web. Talked to my favourite tire shop. Usually I get Michelins but I don't like their winter selection. I've had great success in the past with their LTX A/T but didn't want to go bigger with the 265/75.
I've ordered a set of 275/70R16 BFG T/A KO's (slightly wider and taller). I can't understand why Toyota being the good company they are would still use the Dunflops, especially in the northern market?

 

[olliebear]

because Dunlop sells it to Toy at a great price.

Just as Ford and Chevy get huge discounts for theri tires from Firestone....some of the worse tires in history. Chevy used Goodyear Wrangler RT/S on my Tahoe. Just a POS. The RT/S went through 3 tread designs in 4 years if that tells you anything. Went to BFG A/T...what a change. Pirelli Scorpions=real good. Toyos Open Country+ great stuff.

While Toyota makes a great vehicle, they still have to watch the dollars nad if Dunloip makes them an offer they can't refuse, well, they take it.

Remember 95% of buyers are not tire mavens and don't understand the difference betwen P rated and LT rated and can't even read the tire markings and size. So as long as it rolls along and give a decent ride for 30k miles, it good enough.

 

[Border411]

I agree with BigPhill--I replaced mine too after a whole 3 weeks with the Revos. What a freakin difference! That was after finding out that there is no warranty on those tires (AT20's).