I picked up some 285/75 BFG Mud KM2s for my ram (same size as my previous Toyo ATs). I expected them to be a but louder than my previous tires but what I didn't expect was the vibration they produce. In addition to the initial install they've been balanced at two different shops and there's still some vibration in the 60s. The guys that sold them to me said a road force type machine won't help with a mud tire because of the spacing between the tread ***** and that it is just the nature of a mud tire. It isn't a horrible vibration but I'm certainly not 100% satisfied. Is this really what you have to live with to have a mud tire?

 

Where do you feel the vibration ?

Steering wheel ?

Floor beneath your feet ?

In the seat ?


Vibrations in the seat are usually driveshaft related, if that's what you're getting.

I run mud tires on my 92 in the winter months (october through March) and they're noticeable noise wise, but not vibrations. I have them on now, and only use them for those months. Otherwise, I have another set of "summer tires" and it allows me to easily check to see if the tires are the issue, or if it's something driveline related.

Jack the truck up, and spin the wheel, spacing a square object just near the tire. watch the distance between the object and the tire and see if the tire is physically out of round. I've experienced vibrations with tires that had a bad belt in them and you could see the tire was oblonged when spun slowly.

reverse the tires, front to rear, and see if it does anything, or changes anything . you can also just drive them around for a month or two and see if the vibration goes away.

Is it possible that there is a bad bushing or part in your front suspension?

 

Do all of the above.

But, mud tires ride rougher than street or AT tires. Just look at the tread. Kind of like riding on a rough road all the time.

 

If it's a noticeable vibration at a certain hi way speed then it is most likely the tires or balance.
In my experience, a worn driveline shows up at low speed/takeoff. Plus you didn't have an issue until the new tires, right?
I've had good luck with BFG ATs but some take ALOT of weight to balance out and plenty of reports of BFG quality issues, out of round, etc.
spinning the wheel by hand with a crude dial indicator will tell you if out of round. Otherwise they are not balanced correctly. I don't beleive the deal about no road force balancer on mud tires. Think my last set of MTs were road force balanced.

 

Thanks for the responses. Sorry been away a while moving, etc. To answer some of your questions, yes the vibrations are in the 70mph range. Yes the vibrations started when I switched to the new tires. It is somewhat disconcerting to spend $1400 and end up with what might be out of round tires or tires that need excessive weights for balancing. I'd like to find a solution to this but I'm in an apartment in Chicago now and the truck is basically stored. I can take a bus over to it and drive it but I certainly don't have the means to personally troubleshoot issues like I did in the past. By the time I have a garage again I bet these things will by dry rotted out.

 

That sucks..

 

What sucks? Spending $1400 to be unsatisfied? Moving? Living in Chicago? Living a several miles from my truck by bus? Haha

 

All the above...