New tyres - but something ain't right: steering wheel vibrates, strange noise, pulls to the left

[Zenithede]

Something might've happened with the BFG quality but it also sounds like you've had pretty crappy service from your retailer.

This is mainly the reason I plan on getting mine fitted at Costco as opposed to a cheaper tyresales deal

[ejukated]

Been trying to send you a PM but can't seem to figure out how. Has the PM option been removed? Pretty sure I've used it before...

You can name the street it's on and the closest cross street ill work it out

Pm system is down pending upgrade.

I'd just name the shop here.
At end of the day your telling the truth so can be in no way liable. And it saves another bunny being screwed around for 8 weeks in a POS tyre. ( but IMO that's what happens with BFG tyres. Seen it too many times.

[Dex]

which tire shops were they?

Been trying to send you a PM but can't seem to figure out how. Has the PM option been removed? Pretty sure I've used it before...

Seen that a lot with BFG.
I'd never touch another one again.

[ejukated]

which tire shops were they?

[Dex]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions again.

This saga is finally over, but it took a lot of time to get here.

Here's what happened since my last post above:

• Went to the tyreshop a couple more times. They rebalanced again and again, but the problem did not go away
• Car was due for service, so asked Toyota to ensure suspension etc. is all fine. They confirmed.
• Decided I wanted a second opinion. Went to a different tyre shop, and they talked me into "roadforce" balancing and wheel alignment. $240 all up.
• They found out that one tyre could not be balanced as they would've needed to put on more than the maximum weight to balance it. Recommended I claim on warranty.
• Went back to original tyre shop (this was in June) and told them about the result. They kept the tyre and sent it to the BF Goodrich distributor for testing.
• The whole process took almost eight weeks (apparently they have to process a lot of claims at the moment), and they finally acknowledged there was a problem with the tyre and they would replace it
• Last weekend, I picked up the new tyre (made sure it was actually new!)

Overall, I am not impressed - neither with the quality of their tyres nor with the shop I bought them from. I'm out $240 - of course, nobody will reimburse me for the testing in the other shop.

Won't be buying BF Goodrich tyres again, that's for sure.

[Dex]

Get the car put on a hoist if you have access and run it in gear (at idle) this will allow you to see if the tyres are out of round (Bubbles etc).
AT tyres can have an aggressive sidewall to tread and this can create a feeling through your steering wheel, especially when turning.

Im not a fan of BFG tyres personally, Ive seen similar issues. That aside it could be normal noise and feel from them.

Next step would be. Any other members located near you with similar vehicle/tyres? Coffee catch up and each have a little drive of each others cars. See what you both think..

Great suggestions. Thanks very much. Will give the tyre shop one more go next week and shall follow your advice if they can't fix it.

Get the car put on a hoist if you have access and run it in gear (at idle) this will allow you to see if the tyres are out of round (Bubbles etc).
AT tyres can have an aggressive sidewall to tread and this can create a feeling through your steering wheel, especially when turning.

Im not a fan of BFG tyres personally, Ive seen similar issues. That aside it could be normal noise and feel from them.

Next step would be. Any other members located near you with similar vehicle/tyres? Coffee catch up and each have a little drive of each others cars. See what you both think..

Follow-up: Manufacture date is 0916, which I take to mean the 9th week of 2016.

What would you conclude from this?

Thats OK on date, under a year old.

I think AMTS was more looking if they were really old stock perhaps, and had gone hard. That can sometimes bring noise and feeling into the sidewalls.

[zacaxel1975]

Some of the opinions here are very disappointing - one bloke said go and drive the dealer demo - did he not read you bought it second hand and it has 50000 kms?

Exasperated

He is new to Prado's and not sure if he actually has a problem. He said the dealer did a balance and rotation, ask them if they think what he is feeling is normal, it might be. A 2013 with 50k on the clock shouldn't be chalk and cheese to drive compared to a new demo. So if he takes one for a drive he can decide if what he is feeling is just how they drive or identify that there might be an issue that needs to be addressed. Nothing about blaming the dealer, just seeking their assistance. I would have thought they might know what is normal or not, and might even be able to help identify if an issue exists and suggest a resolution?

Just trying to help out a guy that has asked for help, cant see what is so disappointing about what I have suggested. Have not jumped on or blamed anyone, just suggested a couple of things to help from a diagnostic point of view.

You are exasperated but have provided no assistance at all that might help this person identify or resolve their issue, just had a crack at him and others that have tried to help.

[Dex]

What are the rims?
What's the tyre's manufacture date?

Follow-up: Manufacture date is 0916, which I take to mean the 9th week of 2016.

What would you conclude from this?

[REN470]

Hi,


Your first post said the first time you'd driven the car over 100 kms an hour was after you put new tyres on, then really you don't know if it's the new tyres or the vibration was there all the time as you didn't drive it at that speed with the old tyres on - Doh? If a tyre has an issue the tyres shop would just replace it he would be covered by the manafacturer he wouldn't want to be do wheel balances and alignments 3 times. I don't know why we have to jump on shops as the first answer when you don't even understand your new car and your not comparing things equally. Some of the opinions here are very disappointing - one bloke said go and drive the dealer demo - did he not read you bought it second hand and it has 50000 kms?

Exasperated

[Dex]

What are the rims?
What's the tyre's manufacture date?

Rims are the original Toyota ones that came with the car. As I mentioned before, did not have any issues with the stock tyres, so would have thought the rims should be fine?

Not sure about the manufacturing date. Will have to check tonight when I get home and report back.

What are the rims?
What's the tyre's manufacture date?