Just a few tire questions

[fluffeh]

I'm planning on getting a set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs (285/75/16) and have a few questions about the process. They're really expensive tires so I want to get them for the best price possible online and have them mounted in a shop. I only have a few questions before I do.

I have read about 4runner rims being lug-centric and having issues with balancing. Is that true of the 5-star limited rims?
People have said most shops only have hub-centric balancers and can't balance a lug-centric wheel.
Also I read that it's important to have it balance with a road force machine. Is it really that necessary? It sounds expensive. :\
And lastly, is an alignment required after new tires are put on? I figured if I was getting one anyway, I'd do my LBJ's at the same time.

 

[Singtoe]

4runners use hub centric rims.

 

[Singtoe]

Pay the extra money and use the road force machine.


Pay the money and get an alignment. You said it, Tires are expensive.


If the the 4runner is new to you and you are unsure of the mileage for worn parts, Go ahead and replace the ball joints. Do the tie rods if they show slop too.

 

[mikebontoft]

factory wheels are almost all if not all hub centric.

road force balancing... not any harder than a standard balance the difference is in the machines. One just spins the tire while the other (Hunter RoadForce) also forces a loaded drum on the tire's tread as it rotates. It's nice to have in the event you have a tire that will balance out but may have excessive road force.

chain tire places and nice shops should have them... older or low budget tire places might not.

 

[sooner02r1]

You're paying $1000+ for tires, with poor alignment you could be drastically reducing their life, especially if you're doing LBJs or tie rods or lift or anything that could change the geometry.

 

[fluffeh]

4runners use hub centric rims.

Okay, good. I guess whatever I was reading was wrong. I have the ball joints and was just waiting to replace them until I got something else that required an alignment. Killing two birds with one stone.

So Firestone would have a Roadforce balancer? And if a tire has excessive road force, is that something usually covered under like a manufacturer warranty?

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[AZTOY]

I have used Discount Tire for my last two sets. Good prices, you can order online and they have a great warranty program.

 

[KidVermicious]

I have used Discount Tire for my last two sets. Good prices, you can order online and they have a great warranty program.

Does Discount still give you the road hazard warranty when you order from Discounttiredirect and dropship to their store?

 

[AZTOY]

Does Discount still give you the road hazard warranty when you order from Discounttiredirect and dropship to their store?

I have ordered both of my sets online and shipped to local store. The local store offers me all the warranties when I have them mounted.

The last time I got new tires, I got a flat tire (on the old set I bought from them) right before they mounted my new ones. They gave me a discount towards my new set because of the tire replacement warranty. Very happy with their service.

 

[fluffeh]

I think I like Discounttire, because they have a store right near me and the best prices for the tires. The only thing I'm confused about is they have one that's $239 and one that's $242 and the only difference is one of them is LT285/75R16E1 126P B and one of them is LT285/75R16E1 126P W. What does that last letter mean? In all of my googling I can't figure it out.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Tirecrawler.com Free shipping to an Allen Tire in ur area. Just got 4 BFG KM2s size 33/10.50R15 for $775.00 Best price I could find. FWIW

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Goodyear Duratracs LT285/75R16E going for $230 apiece.

 

[fluffeh]

Tirecrawler.com Free shipping to an Allen Tire in ur area. Just got 4 BFG KM2s size 33/10.50R15 for $775.00 Best price I could find. FWIW

Allen Tire is about an hour away from me, and at that point the time and gas money makes it not really worth it to me. Thanks though.

Anyone have any info on that last letter?

 

[68dave]

That last letter could be the speed rating.

 

[Fjatheart]

Load range possibly.

 

[zgensler31]

I think the last letter is much simpler actually......black wall and white wall.....tire rack sometimes has different listings for tires that have white lettering, and generally a few dollars difference

 

[fluffeh]

The E1 is the load rating and the 126P is the load index and speed rating. I'm not sure what's left.

At least that's what I've read.

Edit: Just called and finally got an answer. It's the black sidewall vs the white sidewall. For some reason black costs more. xD