Nothing but problems....can you help?
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Nothing but problems....can you help?
I’ve had nothing but problems with my wheels/tires on my F150. After several frustrating trips to the dealership, I’m about to give up. Can anyone help?
The Truck: I have a 2004 F150 extended cab with a long bed. It included a heavy duty payload package. I didn’t need that, but it had it already and the sales guy was talking deal on this particular vehicle. As I understand it, the HDPP gives the F150 a suspension like an F250. It has a 7 lug setup vs. the standard 6 lug on an F150 and steel wheels vs the typical aluminum. The tires are the stock General Grabber TRs. 17” LT 245/70.<O:p</O:p
<O:p
The Problem: Excessive vibration. You feel it in the steering wheel like you would when you have REALLY bad balancing in your tires. At first, it was apparent at 45 mph. That was easily fixed with the first balancing. Now it starts at 65 and goes to 75
<O:p
The first thing we did (the dealer and I during the first year/first 12,000 under warranty) was balance, rebalance, and balance again. Then we tried new tires. Then we tried new wheels. Then they replaced the rack and pinion steering.<O:p
They tell me that this problem is common with steel wheels because they don’t perform as well at high speeds as aluminum and that aluminum wheels are more true. They also tell me that ford does not make aluminum wheels for a 7 lug setup so I have to buy aftermarket.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p
No, I also have what seems to be warped rotors because the nibbling/vibration in the steering wheel really gets jacked up when I stop.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p
Does anyone out there have this problem and know a for sure remedy?
The Truck: I have a 2004 F150 extended cab with a long bed. It included a heavy duty payload package. I didn’t need that, but it had it already and the sales guy was talking deal on this particular vehicle. As I understand it, the HDPP gives the F150 a suspension like an F250. It has a 7 lug setup vs. the standard 6 lug on an F150 and steel wheels vs the typical aluminum. The tires are the stock General Grabber TRs. 17” LT 245/70.<O:p</O:p
<O:p
The Problem: Excessive vibration. You feel it in the steering wheel like you would when you have REALLY bad balancing in your tires. At first, it was apparent at 45 mph. That was easily fixed with the first balancing. Now it starts at 65 and goes to 75
<O:p
The first thing we did (the dealer and I during the first year/first 12,000 under warranty) was balance, rebalance, and balance again. Then we tried new tires. Then we tried new wheels. Then they replaced the rack and pinion steering.<O:p
They tell me that this problem is common with steel wheels because they don’t perform as well at high speeds as aluminum and that aluminum wheels are more true. They also tell me that ford does not make aluminum wheels for a 7 lug setup so I have to buy aftermarket.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p
No, I also have what seems to be warped rotors because the nibbling/vibration in the steering wheel really gets jacked up when I stop.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p
Does anyone out there have this problem and know a for sure remedy?
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
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There's a TSB for your Rotors so that'll be fixed for free, take it to a dealer and have them look up the TSB for the rotors. What I would do is take the truck to a tire shop that has a High speed balancing machine, not just the normal machine but a high speed one. I did that with my wife's car and it fixed the problem.
And no the steel wheel should be fine unless it was bad from the factory, and if so they should replace it.
And no the steel wheel should be fine unless it was bad from the factory, and if so they should replace it.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
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I have the same vehicle you have '04 Heavy Duty - 7 lug steel wheels - 50/60 psi. on the tires. I also had the same symptoms as you and with the same tires that you have. To make a long story short, the dealer eventually did the road force balance on them and replaced ones deemed to be bad with the same brand tire. These are the cheapest (not the least expensive just the cheapest) tires made. I bought a set of good tires of my choosing (BFG AT for the heavy load) and had them mounted on the stock wheels. One wheel took more weight (5oz) than the others. The high-speed vibration went away, the stopping vibration went away, and the traction is much better. I stayed with the stock wheels because the aluminum 7 lugs may look better but do not have the load capacity that I need. You may find that the rotor TSB applies to those lighter weight F150s, but good luck with that.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Mirror, Alberta
Originally Posted by BigRed505
I’ve had nothing but problems with my wheels/tires on my F150. After several frustrating trips to the dealership, I’m about to give up. Can anyone help?
The Truck: I have a 2004 F150 extended cab with a long bed. It included a heavy duty payload package. I didn’t need that, but it had it already and the sales guy was talking deal on this particular vehicle. As I understand it, the HDPP gives the F150 a suspension like an F250. It has a 7 lug setup vs. the standard 6 lug on an F150 and steel wheels vs the typical aluminum. The tires are the stock General Grabber TRs. 17” LT 245/70.<O:p< font O:p<>
<O:p< p>
The Problem: Excessive vibration. You feel it in the steering wheel like you would when you have REALLY bad balancing in your tires. At first, it was apparent at 45 mph. That was easily fixed with the first balancing. Now it starts at 65 and goes to 75
<O:p< font>
The first thing we did (the dealer and I during the first year/first 12,000 under warranty) was balance, rebalance, and balance again. Then we tried new tires. Then we tried new wheels. Then they replaced the rack and pinion steering.<O:p< font>
They tell me that this problem is common with steel wheels because they don’t perform as well at high speeds as aluminum and that aluminum wheels are more true. They also tell me that ford does not make aluminum wheels for a 7 lug setup so I have to buy aftermarket.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:p></O:p>
<O:p< font>
No, I also have what seems to be warped rotors because the nibbling/vibration in the steering wheel really gets jacked up when I stop.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p< font>
Does anyone out there have this problem and know a for sure remedy?
The Truck: I have a 2004 F150 extended cab with a long bed. It included a heavy duty payload package. I didn’t need that, but it had it already and the sales guy was talking deal on this particular vehicle. As I understand it, the HDPP gives the F150 a suspension like an F250. It has a 7 lug setup vs. the standard 6 lug on an F150 and steel wheels vs the typical aluminum. The tires are the stock General Grabber TRs. 17” LT 245/70.<O:p< font O:p<>
<O:p< p>
The Problem: Excessive vibration. You feel it in the steering wheel like you would when you have REALLY bad balancing in your tires. At first, it was apparent at 45 mph. That was easily fixed with the first balancing. Now it starts at 65 and goes to 75
<O:p< font>
The first thing we did (the dealer and I during the first year/first 12,000 under warranty) was balance, rebalance, and balance again. Then we tried new tires. Then we tried new wheels. Then they replaced the rack and pinion steering.<O:p< font>
They tell me that this problem is common with steel wheels because they don’t perform as well at high speeds as aluminum and that aluminum wheels are more true. They also tell me that ford does not make aluminum wheels for a 7 lug setup so I have to buy aftermarket.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:p></O:p>
<O:p< font>
No, I also have what seems to be warped rotors because the nibbling/vibration in the steering wheel really gets jacked up when I stop.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p< font>
Does anyone out there have this problem and know a for sure remedy?
It's those General tires. Ford made some kind of deal with General in 04. I probably read "get us the cheapest, crappiest tires you can make and we'll save a few bucks".
Quit fooling around with dealers and take some of your hard earned cash and fix the problem.
First, there is nothing inherently wrong with steel wheels. For years we used steel wheels, especially on trucks, with no problems. I had an 02 7700 series with the 7 lug steel wheels (16 inch) and the tires balanced fine and stayed that way. (The white truck in my gallery).
Second, if your time and peace of mind is worth anything, quit dealing with dealers. Their specialty is trying to make you think there is something wrong with you. Find a good Cooper tire dealer and ask for a set of Discoverer ST's in 235/80-17 size. Make use of the 30 day satisfaction guarantee if they don't solve the problem. (I think they will)
You will notice from my gallery that my 02 had Toyo M55's on it, and my 04 has had both BFG AT's (they came off because I really needed a better mud tire) and the current Coopers. That tells you I am not just some Cooper devotee trying to convert you. The truth is if I could have bought Toyo M55's in 17" I would never have anything else. They are a fantastic tire at a great price.
In my last 5 years in Northern Canada I have learned that nothing about a vehicle causes people more heartache than bad tires. Here every penny you spend on tires is well worth it.
</O:p<></O:p<></O:p<></O:p<></O:p<></O:p<>
Last edited by bigdavewilson; Jun 21, 2006 at 09:07 AM.
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From: Michigan
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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You will normally feel warped rotors in the brake pedal with easy pressure even when there is no vibration at speed. The rotors on your HD are a lot heavier than what the lighter F150s have. The BFG ATs are 235/70.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 591
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From: Mirror, Alberta
Clarification
Just a little clarification on the 235/80-17 size that I am using.
I am a firm believer that for mud and even gravel roads a taller, narrower tread tire is better. For example in the 16 inch size I would take a 235/85-16 over the more widely used 245/75-16.
The tread width on the 235/80-17 is about 1 inch narrower than a 265/70-17. Both tires end up around the 32 inch diameter so gearing and speedometer are about the same. The difference is the taller sidewall, narrower tread tires seems to dig better in mud and steer better in mud and on gravel.
The reason that size tire exists at all is that at least Ford and Dodge use it on their HD dual rear wheel trucks. It was kind of funny when I asked the Cooper dealer for a price. I knew the tires were around the $300 mark Canadian and the price he quoted was nearly $1800. He hadn't really had anybody use that size tire on a 4 wheeled truck.
Just checked the Toyo website and it appears that the Toyo M55 is now available in 17 inch both 265/70 and 235/80 sizes. This is the tire that I would go to on your truck.
I am a firm believer that for mud and even gravel roads a taller, narrower tread tire is better. For example in the 16 inch size I would take a 235/85-16 over the more widely used 245/75-16.
The tread width on the 235/80-17 is about 1 inch narrower than a 265/70-17. Both tires end up around the 32 inch diameter so gearing and speedometer are about the same. The difference is the taller sidewall, narrower tread tires seems to dig better in mud and steer better in mud and on gravel.
The reason that size tire exists at all is that at least Ford and Dodge use it on their HD dual rear wheel trucks. It was kind of funny when I asked the Cooper dealer for a price. I knew the tires were around the $300 mark Canadian and the price he quoted was nearly $1800. He hadn't really had anybody use that size tire on a 4 wheeled truck.
Just checked the Toyo website and it appears that the Toyo M55 is now available in 17 inch both 265/70 and 235/80 sizes. This is the tire that I would go to on your truck.
Last edited by bigdavewilson; Jun 21, 2006 at 04:13 PM. Reason: Addition
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: In my House
I wonder if we bring our truck to a tire place and have them road force balance the tires, if they DO find that the tires "WERE NOT" balanced correctly by the dealer, If we can submit the bill for the tire balancing to FORD. I know this is a far fetched idea,but just curious. I wonder how much it would cost for a front 2 wheels to be balanced?
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Mirror, Alberta
Originally Posted by BigRed505
Anyone ever heard anything good/bad about the Michelin LTX A/S?
