Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac Tire Problems
12-06-2011 | 02:47 PM
#11
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
These tires have been nothing but good to me and dont have a bad thing to say about them. What im curious about is you mentioned you had an "alignment" done. What exactly did they align on a stock JK your steering wheel, toe in maybe? Seems they monkyed around with something they werent supposed to and that could be causing the vibration. wouldnt hurt to ask the alignment shop what exacly they did to your JK
12-08-2011 | 04:11 PM
#12
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
All fixed!
You wouln't believe this. There was roughly a cup of water in each of the tires according to the tech. Now, these to Sears with water in them and when they rebalanced them the third time they told me they found some water in one of them that must not have got removed. When they swapped the tires for the new one's, they found water in all of them! Either someone wasn't paying attention the first three times, or someone got super happy with the soapy water brush when installing the tires the last time they were balanced/mounted.
Anyhow, the new tires arrived nice and bone dry! They appear to be perfectly balanced after a highway drive and took only an ounce or two of weight compared to the 6+ ounces on some of the previous tires. Glad to finally be done with this hassle!
You wouln't believe this. There was roughly a cup of water in each of the tires according to the tech. Now, these to Sears with water in them and when they rebalanced them the third time they told me they found some water in one of them that must not have got removed. When they swapped the tires for the new one's, they found water in all of them! Either someone wasn't paying attention the first three times, or someone got super happy with the soapy water brush when installing the tires the last time they were balanced/mounted.
Anyhow, the new tires arrived nice and bone dry! They appear to be perfectly balanced after a highway drive and took only an ounce or two of weight compared to the 6+ ounces on some of the previous tires. Glad to finally be done with this hassle!
12-08-2011 | 08:14 PM
#13
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: MA
That's crazy, glad to hear they resolved it though. I've read quite a few threads with some complaints that these tires were difficult to balance, and many others say they aren't bad at all - your story lends evidence to the theory that the tires are usually fine, but the installers too often are not.
I just ordered 265/70/17 Duratrac's from DTD today - and I had to check out about a dozen shops in Central MA to find one that had a road force balancing machine (and hopefully good techs that know how to use it). Hopefully that helps me avoid any balance problems.
Enjoy the new tires.
I just ordered 265/70/17 Duratrac's from DTD today - and I had to check out about a dozen shops in Central MA to find one that had a road force balancing machine (and hopefully good techs that know how to use it). Hopefully that helps me avoid any balance problems.
Enjoy the new tires.
12-09-2011 | 04:37 AM
#14
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Central Kentucky
Thought I would post up my experience so far with these tires.
Had a set of 275/70/18 mounted on my stock wheels and an alignment done at the same time. No problems at all with the stock tires before the swap, they were just worn down and due for replacement.
After having the Dura Tracs mounted and balanced I experienced some vibration and steering wheel shake at highway speeds. Took it back and had them rebalanced. Still had the vibration on the highway so talked with the manager at Sears and we decided to have them dismounted and rebalanced starting from scratch with their best tire guy. This time the vibration is the worst yet at 55-65mph. The steering wheel shakes and the whole car vibrates. I also noticed there were a LOT of weights on the wheels all three times they were balanced. Multiple weights on each wheel with atleast three wheels having one ore more 4-5" long weights, including one on the outside of one of the front wheels.
The Sears tech rode with me and experienced the same vibration so the manager ordered a new set of tires after talking with Goodyear. Hopefully that will fix the problem.
I have read nothing but good reviews about these tires so hopefully I just got a bad set....Anyone else have a similar experience with these tires?
Will let you know what happens.
Had a set of 275/70/18 mounted on my stock wheels and an alignment done at the same time. No problems at all with the stock tires before the swap, they were just worn down and due for replacement.
After having the Dura Tracs mounted and balanced I experienced some vibration and steering wheel shake at highway speeds. Took it back and had them rebalanced. Still had the vibration on the highway so talked with the manager at Sears and we decided to have them dismounted and rebalanced starting from scratch with their best tire guy. This time the vibration is the worst yet at 55-65mph. The steering wheel shakes and the whole car vibrates. I also noticed there were a LOT of weights on the wheels all three times they were balanced. Multiple weights on each wheel with atleast three wheels having one ore more 4-5" long weights, including one on the outside of one of the front wheels.
The Sears tech rode with me and experienced the same vibration so the manager ordered a new set of tires after talking with Goodyear. Hopefully that will fix the problem.
I have read nothing but good reviews about these tires so hopefully I just got a bad set....Anyone else have a similar experience with these tires?
Will let you know what happens.
Glad you got it resolved.
12-13-2011 | 11:45 AM
#15
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
That's crazy, glad to hear they resolved it though. I've read quite a few threads with some complaints that these tires were difficult to balance, and many others say they aren't bad at all - your story lends evidence to the theory that the tires are usually fine, but the installers too often are not.
I just ordered 265/70/17 Duratrac's from DTD today - and I had to check out about a dozen shops in Central MA to find one that had a road force balancing machine (and hopefully good techs that know how to use it). Hopefully that helps me avoid any balance problems.
Enjoy the new tires.
I just ordered 265/70/17 Duratrac's from DTD today - and I had to check out about a dozen shops in Central MA to find one that had a road force balancing machine (and hopefully good techs that know how to use it). Hopefully that helps me avoid any balance problems.
Enjoy the new tires.
The risk is that you might not get the greatest tech. I say just be adamant that you want their senior tire guy to do the work.
My new set of tires is still perfect after several trips on the highway, so all is well and I would highly recommend these tires now!
12-13-2011 | 01:05 PM
#16
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, OH
Thought I would post up my experience so far with these tires.
Had a set of 275/70/18 mounted on my stock wheels and an alignment done at the same time. No problems at all with the stock tires before the swap, they were just worn down and due for replacement.
After having the Dura Tracs mounted and balanced I experienced some vibration and steering wheel shake at highway speeds. Took it back and had them rebalanced. Still had the vibration on the highway so talked with the manager at Sears and we decided to have them dismounted and rebalanced starting from scratch with their best tire guy. This time the vibration is the worst yet at 55-65mph. The steering wheel shakes and the whole car vibrates. I also noticed there were a LOT of weights on the wheels all three times they were balanced. Multiple weights on each wheel with atleast three wheels having one ore more 4-5" long weights, including one on the outside of one of the front wheels.
The Sears tech rode with me and experienced the same vibration so the manager ordered a new set of tires after talking with Goodyear. Hopefully that will fix the problem.
I have read nothing but good reviews about these tires so hopefully I just got a bad set....Anyone else have a similar experience with these tires?
Will let you know what happens.
Had a set of 275/70/18 mounted on my stock wheels and an alignment done at the same time. No problems at all with the stock tires before the swap, they were just worn down and due for replacement.
After having the Dura Tracs mounted and balanced I experienced some vibration and steering wheel shake at highway speeds. Took it back and had them rebalanced. Still had the vibration on the highway so talked with the manager at Sears and we decided to have them dismounted and rebalanced starting from scratch with their best tire guy. This time the vibration is the worst yet at 55-65mph. The steering wheel shakes and the whole car vibrates. I also noticed there were a LOT of weights on the wheels all three times they were balanced. Multiple weights on each wheel with atleast three wheels having one ore more 4-5" long weights, including one on the outside of one of the front wheels.
The Sears tech rode with me and experienced the same vibration so the manager ordered a new set of tires after talking with Goodyear. Hopefully that will fix the problem.
I have read nothing but good reviews about these tires so hopefully I just got a bad set....Anyone else have a similar experience with these tires?
Will let you know what happens.
Look at what type of balancer Sears is using. To get these tires done right it should be a Hunter GSP9700 and then they need someone who actually knows how to use it.
12-13-2011 | 05:42 PM
#18
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Land O Lakes, FL
Have them run a roadforce measurement on a hunter machine. Measure rim runout and tire force. The road force will spin the tire to 55mph and a roller will come down and apply the weight of the vehicle to the tire. Make sure the machine is set on LT tire. Then measure rim runout. This will measure the roundness of the rim. The hunter will machine will force match the assy. Putting the high point of the tire to the high point of the rim. All of this is done with no weights on the assy. The machine will also pass/fail the assy, rim, or tire.
Once forced matched. Spin them without roadforce and mark the tire with its total weight ( 2oz inside 1.25 outside ) total of 3.25 Balance all tires and put the one that was lowest in weight on driver front then next on pass front etc working your way away from the driver seat ending at the pass rear. That is the industry standard for fixing troublesome tires. Anymore questions just ask!
Once forced matched. Spin them without roadforce and mark the tire with its total weight ( 2oz inside 1.25 outside ) total of 3.25 Balance all tires and put the one that was lowest in weight on driver front then next on pass front etc working your way away from the driver seat ending at the pass rear. That is the industry standard for fixing troublesome tires. Anymore questions just ask!
12-13-2011 | 05:44 PM
#19
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Bronx, NY
my dura's run great, at first when i read of the water in the tire i thought maybe the water came from the air compressor if they have a tank it could have a low point in it some where in the line and made its way into your tire. in any case good news for you!
12-13-2011 | 05:56 PM
#20
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
The biggest problem with any larger tire is the inability of tire shops to balance them properly. How do you mount a tire with water in them? Rebalancing seems o be required at every rotation, and this needs o be LOAD balancing. I had an issue with a set of 35's that was only resolved after visiting 3 different shops. Before then, I was suspecting ball joints, suspension, steering, and a number of other false leads. Wish there was some kind of standard in this area...would save us all a lot of hassle.