Alright here we go again you have all heard it the dreaded steering wheel shimmy ..I have had it since new and lived with it, I had it road force balanced once it seemed to help a little but now the tranny is shot at 24,000 miles, and 6-months ago power steering pump and 3-months before that both front ball joints(non warranty wear item)anyway I am most likely gonna keep this truck and if I keep it what does everyone suggest for a tire that will put an end to the vibration issues? These Goodrich are the worst tire ive had on a truck(and ive owned12 different trucks) just awful all around. im in Massachusetts and we can see alot of snow but I also want a quiet riding tire and comfort and confort is why I bought this great riding truck got tired of my 2004 3/4 ton dodge hemi buckboard! Hope some of you have some info on tires Ive looked around but there does not seem to be alot of choices..Thanks.

 

Best tires I've ever had were the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor tires. Exceptionally quiet for an A/T tire and the tread pattern offered excellent traction.

Check tires out at tirerack.com

 

The quietest, smoothest riding, longest lasting tire I have personally used is the Michelin LTX M/S. They are fairly expensive, but if you search you can find good deals.They also get around fine in the snow. I have also had good luck with the Toyo Open Country A/T. This is the tire I am currently running on my truck. Toyo is rated #1 in quality, and this tire has been comfortable and also quiet for an A/T tire. You did not say which rim size you have, as this does limit your choices. There are many more choices for the 17" size.

 

Edit:Never Mind

 

Maybe your tires aren't the cause of your vibration??? I'm not saying it definately isn't your tires but there are other things that can cause the dreaded steering wheel shimmy.

 

I have the 18inch rims 05 Lariat I do think it is the tires.. when they were road force balanced once before it did help it wasnt perfect but better.anyone else have the michelins? or anything else that helped with the vibration caused by out of spec tires?

 

i recommend michelin's for sure. i'm not sure about pirelli's on a truck. these are both excellent tires. i had goodyear trackers on my 2000 f150 and i was happy with them. all around good tire and 4 of them will cost around 400 depending where you go and sales and such. btw, what is steering wheel shimmy?

 

The steering wheel shimmy is a problem on some of the newer style F-150s 2004-present these trucks are very sensitive to wheel balancing and other things...the stock Bf goodrich tires are hit or miss as far as being able to get a set of 4 that will road force balance up to fords specs that is why Im looking to get a response from someone who HAD the steering wheel vibration/shimmy and had it fixed by getting a set of new tires.,.

 

Michelin's are great tires. Unfortunately the don't make either the LTX A/T or LTX M/S in the 275/65R18 or anything remotely close. Word has it they may offer these in the popular Ford truck sizes by years end.

 

I have had the LTX M/S on other vehicles and can add one more vote for "they're great tires". Too bad they don't have any 18's yet.

I have also been impressed with the Bridgestone Dueler Revo's on my Ranger, which I will be putting on my '07 F-150 first thing when it rolls off the truck at the dealer, maybe this week if I'm lucky.

If yours has had this problem consistently, I would suggest spending a few bucks to have someone really examine the wheels for trueness and balance (without the tires mounted). It wouldn't be the first time a vehicle has come from a factory with crap wheels.

 

i've also got the LTX M/Ss on my supercrew...I had the continentals on my truck originally, they were flat wore out at 13K miles, went and bought a set of goodyear silent armors, it was then that I experienced the shimy i have heard so much about, the guy at one discount tire went as far as to tell me i had a bent wheel, so i went to a different discount tire, where they swapped em out for some LTX M/S 265/70/r17s...best tires i have had on a truck, out of the 5 sets i have bought...we've got some BFGs on the jeep that have about 50K on them but look almost new...you might look into those too...

 

i don't understand why it would be your tires? I have BFG mud terrains, they aren't big just 285/70/R17, but they ride great. My steering wheel doesn't shimmy and i get no vibrations

 

tires could be out of round, we did have one BFG that did that, but it was replaced free of charge (minus tire warranty on new tire), and the steering wheel in the jeep was wobbling pretty bad...

 

If you're using an A/T tire and want a good one that rides well, not real noisy, cleans itself well in mud/snow. Look nat the Bridgestone Duller A/T Revo.

You won't be disapointed. I'm a mechanic for a Michelin, and Bridgstone dealer.
Bob

 

unfortunately Michelin does not make 18inch 275s for my 05 lariat someone here mentioned maybe by years end they will be available but I need to resolve this now so Im looking into other brands but not BFGs too many issues with them on these new 04-06 trucks