Wife was told tyres are stuffed!

[cookie1]

Hi,

Recently got a truck 2nd hand so booked it in for a wheel alignment (pulling slightly to the left) and wheel rotation, as I thought they looked like they are getting ridges forming. Bridgestone dueller a/t 265 65 17

The missus takes the car and heads off to coffee shop waiting for call to get it. No call, so she goes back and they tell her they didnt do anything to the car as the tyres are stuffed. Told her that running 30psi has caused ridges and rotating wont help and needs new tyres. They said should be running at least 42psi on the road! So nothing was done. 42psi seems excessive, I havent had the car long enough to do the 4psi test.

So anyway, I'm a bit shellshocked at the thought of having to spend a grand for new boots so wanted to get the groups idea's about what was done (or not) in this case.

[ag9111]

I always run mine unloaded at 34 to 36 psi. Never have an issue. Above that is way to bouncy. 42psi is ridiculous. 30 psi is to low.

Another tyre store and professional opinion would be my first step.

My 2c
You need to rotate the tyres and get them balanced so they can be run level again. They will never be 100% though.

[mIwoo]

without seeing the tyres its difficult to say tbh. can you upload a pic of the tyres so we can comment?

but on road- 34-38 psi is about right.

i run 35 all round, some run 34 psi and swear that its the best to run for performance.

[cookie1]

Thanks guys, yep getting 2nd opinion. Cant take a photo until tonight.

[myself62]

I would say that if you have been running them at 30psi for a long time they would be worn a lot on the edges, way to low in my opinion.

[cookie1]

So the wife took the car over to local Opposite lock for a 2nd opinion and they seemed to think they were a bit stepped but nothing to warrent a set of new boots. They are going to sort it out on monday. They also suggested running them 35-38 psi.

Anyway, good lesson on the local "bridgstone select" dealer and will take my business elsewhere. Maybe they were hoping the wife would just say to put new tyres on with no thought.. who knows.

[boycee]

Just look for the tread wear indicators that will tell you if you need new boots or not.

[har05l]

Boycee has a good point up their ^^^^

I also run 36psi all round and have had no issues, other than being a little lazy on the rotation

[MN GLXR]

Local garage guy tried the same story with my wife on her car when she went in for a rego slip.....and then he tried to sell her new tyres. When she said she would speak to me first and he got the $hits!

[variflex]

I find it funny when dealers or mechanics try and swindle my wife, she has worked in the automotive industry for quite some time and generally knows more than the average dealer, she generally puts them in their place real quick, these days I don't even bother negotiating with vehicles or parts, just stand back and let wifey do it, most dealers and mechs are usually stumped

[krazed]

yup i run 36 all round on the stockos . I run 40 in the 32inch muddies though . Use to run the stockos at 32 but found the ride isn't as nice as 36 and also seemed to use more diesel

[v8slrtorana]

Depends on the pattern of ridge forming, sometimes a wheel alignment alone will not fix this.
Most cases, just do a front to back rotation and check front alignment.
Keen to see a pic.

[Robo1]

I run mine at 40 psi and rotate tyres everytime I change oil, rear tyres to the front and front tyres crossed over to the rear

[lgil86]

Just a heads up when you do need some new ones. If you want to go stockies again you can usually pick them up at half the price nearly brand new on Gumtree, people who have bought a new truck and want muddies on straight away and just wanting rid of the stockies. Have had two sets of duellers for around $4-500 on work utes.

[cookie1]

ok, lets see if these posting the pics work. Pretty poor quality as the damn phone struggled to focus in the pitch black night!

[har05l]

They look fine I reckon , good for at least another 20k km's

If you can your best off doing the rotation yourself.

Bring the rears forward and the fronts criss cross to the back and lower the pressure to a minimum of around 35psi and see how they feel and just monitor the wear

[Morgs n Jess]

Same happened to mine, duellers are POS tyre. My pressures were all over the place and one was under 10psi due to an unnkown leak. Put em all at 40psi drove 1600k's and they were fine. I still turfed em and got some KM2's, but you have double the tread i did.

[cookie1]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll get them rotated, balanced and do an alignment. Should be good for a while yet I hope!

Morgs n Jess, those KM2's look pretty aggressive, I do like the look of the all terrain KO. Will check them out when i do change.


Any suggestion on a decent air pressure gauge? I used 3 different gauges I have at home, including an ARB deflator and all gave wildly different readings!

cheers

[borngeek]

ahh yes cheap gauges.

Get competition spec.

Kart shops usually only have up to 30psi, which is what I use for deflate offroad pressures.
I use a cheap ARB inflation stem with gauge, and close enough is good enough for the road. I run 40psi plus.
Offroad pressures I am more fussy about. I usually have to get a balance and wheel alignment after wheeling, so just make the tyre shop I trust get it right.

http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/index.php?PCID=17706&PSO=245&PSID=3100006000&PSV=Primary&CDO=

Remember to recheck when hot, and cold. You will find a sweet spot, and it will be about 36 stone cold.

[Morgs n Jess]

Km2's are great, bit of noise but no comparison to the AT's. I did want to go the new Mickey T's (p3) but couldnt find a shop that would do it on the lease card. Keep them on 36 and have driven a bit of deep sand and they dig in well, just waiting to find the time to explore the Pilbara with em and do some good rock work.