Tire Balancing Issues - Seeking Advice

[Derek]

When I purchased my '07 Limited last year the dealer had just put new tires on it. The tires are Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus in the stock size 265-60-18. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Discoverer H/T Plus?

A few days after purchasing the 4Runner I noticed a slight vibration around 65-70 MPH and some days it was more pronounced. I took it to one of the best tire shops in the area and had them replace the OEM shocks, balance the tires, and do an alignment. A few days later I noticed the vibration was there and actually worse so I took it back for them to balance again. The vibration was not as bad but still there after the second attempt. They made a comment during the second visit that maybe one of the weights came off. On the third try they did a high-speed balance hoping that would do the trick. Unfortunately the vibration is still there. They said there was nothing more they could do and said it was likely defective tires but there's not much I can do since the dealer installed them.

At this point I'm trying to decide what to do next. I could have a different shop attempt to balance them but that could be a waste of money considering they have already been balanced 4 times. And how much money do I really want to spend on these cheap tires trying to get them right? Should I try to sell them? I've only put 5K miles on them so far. I've heard Discount Tire will buy barely used tires if you purchase a set from them.

Has anybody else ever encountered tires that couldn't be balanced? What would you do?

 

[Bumbo]

Considering the dealer JUST sold you the car 2 days before... why even take it to another shop? I would have dropped that problem right back on their door step and asked them to resolve it.

Your solution you started self diagnosing something by throwing solutions/money at it and hoping it sticks.

Even if the dealer charged you for a diagnostic to find the problem financially you would still be ahead right now, and they are on the hook for the fix as well. So if it didn't work, guess who gets to fix it again?

It could be a multitude of things, but it is possible the tires are bad, not stored correctly, an out-of-round rim, or some suspension issue that is beyond a basic shock replacement.

 

[Ed_C]

I agree with Bumbo,take it back to the dealer that installed them. I'm assuming they also purchased it from their wholesale tire dealer so they may be able to exchange them. Request a road test with the technician so they can't claim "no problem found".

I was a dealership tech, I have run into tires that would still vibrate no matter what I did: measured bare wheel (no tire mounted) wheel runout, measured tire runout, matched the tire to the wheel, even if the tire balanced out (ie balancer indicates no more weights needed after installing the requisite weights) the road force values ( Road Force Balancing | MotorWeek ) they'd still vibrate at higher speeds. The only fix was replacement.

 

[Derek]

I don't mind contacting the dealer I purchased it from but it has been 5 months since the purchase. I'm not getting my hopes up that they will actually do anything at this point. Even if they offer to balance them again it's a 2 hour drive to the dealer I purchased from. In hindsight I should have gone back to the dealership when they first started vibrating. I just assumed the tire shop I always go to could correct it no problem.

One thing is certain. I will never purchase Cooper tires in the future. Not that I would have anyway. I just hate to throw away tires with 5K miles and spend money on new ones.

 

[AuSeeker]

Read the following linked topic, take notes and then check with the dealer and the other place that balanced your tires and see if they're using the proper equipment!!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...accessories/173-tire-balancing-must-read.html

 

[Brian3676]

I had this exact issue with some Duratracs. Discount balanced them in total 6 times, using road force balancing and did it on 2 different machines just to see. Nothing got rid of it, and on the machine it showed perfectly balanced every time.

They ended up swapping me out for a pair of Ko2 tires. Installed and perfectly smooth on the first try.

Discount said that some tires, in some sizes, on certain trucks just don't work due to harmonics. I called Goodyear and they actually told me the exact same thing. Said just changing the size could fix the issue even using the same tire.

I am not a fan of the Ko2. They are good on street and in rain, light fluffy snow, but that's about it. I'm going to install some ST MAXX this summer.

 

[catrains]

It does seem that the tires can be the problem. I never buy or use any cooper tires on my vehicles.

 

[Derek]

Read the following linked topic, take notes and then check with the dealer and the other place that balanced your tires and see if they're using the proper equipment!!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...accessories/173-tire-balancing-must-read.html

Thanks. I read that thread a few days ago before posting. I had them balanced at Butler Tire in the Atlanta area which, according to the links in that thread, has the proper equipment. Butler is known to service very high-end vehicles and they are the only tire shop that hasn't damaged one of my vehicles in any way. You could tell they wanted to get it right but after the third try they gave up and wished they could file a warranty claim to get them replaced.

 

[AuSeeker]

I was born and raised in Atlanta and Butler has always had a great reputation, I would get (insist) the dealer to get the tires replaced under warranty since it seems that they can't be properly balanced.

 

[jonesmw10]

I'm going through the same.. New KO2's and I've been to discount tire at least 6 times now. I've also had the local toyota dealer try twice. My issue is lazy techs (IMO). They aren't cleaning the rim well enough before putting on the sticky weights (I have 5th gen wheels) and I'm throwing weights days, sometimes hours after them being balanced. I've just about given up. One of the most frustrating things to deal with.

Oh, advice wise I would say find a local shop and see if they can get it done right. Especially if it is a 2 hour drive to the dealer. Someone is bound to get it... Lol

 

[Ventil8]

I had the same issue with 2 sets of tires. They always said it was balanced or that it was the tire being 'out of round'. When I had the 2 front wheel bearings replaced, the vibration was gone.

 

[Derek]

I had the same issue with 2 sets of tires. They always said it was balanced or that it was the tire being 'out of round'. When I had the 2 front wheel bearings replaced, the vibration was gone.

Interesting. I did find a service record via the Toyota Owners site showing bearing(s) replacement back in 2013.

This definitely feels like a tire balancing problem. I usually feel it between 65-75 MPH and the tire shop said they were definitely out of balance during the 2nd attempt. I wish I had a set of tires just to try just in case it is something else.

 

[Trumpet]

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Warranty Information

Second paragraph, better get jumping !opcorn:

 

[jfry008]

Interesting. I did find a service record via the Toyota Owners site showing bearing(s) replacement back in 2013.

This definitely feels like a tire balancing problem. I usually feel it between 65-75 MPH and the tire shop said they were definitely out of balance during the 2nd attempt. I wish I had a set of tires just to try just in case it is something else.

Does the vibration go away after rotating the tires? Could be a bearing issue if you have the exact same vibration no matter which tires are up front.

 

[jrm]

Had this happen as well..

but the vibration due to an out of round tire. It was Ok at a constant speed and was most pronounced during deceleration braking and just lifting off the gas. Hankook took care of it no prob..:mod:

 

[ssmd]

I have read that cooper tires tend to be out of round or have high spots, my tire guy also confirmed this.

I have the Discoverer AT-W winter all terrains and experienced the same issue.

They wear okay and the traction is great in mud and snow but I was not happy with how they balanced. I've put about 20K+ miles on them and they seem fine now. I may have just gotten used to it.

Overall, I would probably not buy Cooper again. I'm looking at Michelin LT-X M/S2 for my next tires since I've heard good things.

 

[Ed_C]

Just a long shot...check the front brake calipers for seized pistons. Mine developed a vibration @ highway speeds out of the blue, two pistons on the passenger side and one on the driver side were seized.

As for Michelins, they probably have the best quality control of all tire manufacturers, which is one of the reasons they're on the expensive side. I very very rarely had issues with them.

 

[Derek]

Does the vibration go away after rotating the tires? Could be a bearing issue if you have the exact same vibration no matter which tires are up front.

I was just thinking the same thing. They are due for a rotation since I just hit 5K miles on them.

I emailed the dealership today and they have come back with several questions. No offer to help just yet but at least they are responding to my emails.

 

[Derek]

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Warranty Information

Second paragraph, better get jumping !opcorn:

Here is the problem:

Eligibility
This warranty applies to the original purchaser of a replacement Cooper passenger or light truck tire and is not transferable. Eligible tires must be purchased new and used on the vehicle which they were originally installed. Proof of purchase is required for all warranty claims.

Since the dealership purchased the tires and not me I cannot file a warranty claim as far as I know.

 

[Bumbo]

Just a long shot...check the front brake calipers for seized pistons. Mine developed a vibration @ highway speeds out of the blue, two pistons on the passenger side and one on the driver side were seized.

As for Michelins, they probably have the best quality control of all tire manufacturers, which is one of the reasons they're on the expensive side. I very very rarely had issues with them.

As far as road tires are concerned I completely agree. And I rarely if ever get excited about a road tire...

After owning a set of Michelin LTX M/S 2 road tires for 80,000 miles and then towards the end of its life abuse the hell out of them by taking them off-road in the desert sand + wheeling trips.

Not only was it a fantastic road tire it held up to all that abuse off-road as well. Even in application it wasn't designed for it performed well.

I liked them so much I actually went out of my way to buy a 2nd set of rims for some mud terrains over of a single set of KO2/AT just so I could keep a set of those Michelin tires.