Tires for Tahoe -- Bridgestone vs Michelin - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

brookspw · #1 11-06-2009, 11:06 AM

265/70/17

I have Bridgestone H/L Alenzas (outline white letter, T rated) installed a couple of weeks ago on our Tahoe. Both previous sets of tires (Firestone then Goodyear) rode as smooth as silk, though traction was less than desirable. The Bridgestones just will not completely balance out. They've done it 3 times on the Hunter 9700. The last time they did on on the newest generation Hunter that just came out. Still, I get a vibration like a tire a little out of balance on the interstate that just annoys the crap out of me. General manager at the place (a tire rack preferred installer) is just as stumped as I am as to the reason...but that it is the tires, not my wheels or suspension.)

Problem is that he can't get a couple new Alenzas in to trouble shoot a bad tire.

He can replace them with Michelin LTX M/S.

What is your opinion on these two tires for my application? My top 3 objectives are ride comfort, ride noise, and wet traction. Alternately, what are your opinions of the Toyo and Yoko tire in this style if the Michelin wouldn't be your next choice?

300sdlguy · #2 11-08-2009, 08:31 AM

Michelin is my choice if I have a choice. I have had a LOT of tires, as I have a LOT of vehicles. I have tried tons of different tires and usually at some point they fail. I have only had one issue with a Michelin needing replacement prior to the wearing out the tread, and that was after hitting a pothole. They are never the bargain tire price wise, but they are if you want dependability and piece of mind IMHO.

On my Suburban 4x4 it came with Goodyears, they lasted maybe 40,000 miles, and unlike your experience they ALWAYS had a vibration issue. I put on a set of Michelin LTX M/S and they STILL had roadworthy tread after 80,000 miles, and would balance without vibration.

That being said, the Michelins were quieter. They are great in the rain and snow in my experience.

brookspw · #3 11-09-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300sdlguy

Michelin is my choice if I have a choice. I have had a LOT of tires, as I have a LOT of vehicles. I have tried tons of different tires and usually at some point they fail. I have only had one issue with a Michelin needing replacement prior to the wearing out the tread, and that was after hitting a pothole. They are never the bargain tire price wise, but they are if you want dependability and piece of mind IMHO.

On my Suburban 4x4 it came with Goodyears, they lasted maybe 40,000 miles, and unlike your experience they ALWAYS had a vibration issue. I put on a set of Michelin LTX M/S and they STILL had roadworthy tread after 80,000 miles, and would balance without vibration.

That being said, the Michelins were quieter. They are great in the rain and snow in my experience.

This is what I'm going to do. They are taking the Bridgestones back on the 30 day guarantee and replacing with the Michelin LTX M/S.

Luke@tirerack · #4 11-09-2009, 03:59 PM

I was going to say those Bridgestones have a 30 test drive warranty so, take them back ... I am sorry had a problem and it is rare that i hear of problems like tha tmith either Michelin or Bridgestone ... but, hopefully you can get the problem corrected ...

#5 11-17-2009, 03:58 PM

I fully expect that you will be happy with these tires. I just put a set on my 4X4 pickup and I am thrilled with them.

The uniformity of the Michelins is so good that you don't see any of the high RFV or high weight point markings on them. They are always round and roll straight.

My $0.02,

4x4_Welder · #6 12-06-2009, 02:49 AM

Honestly, I don't see the point of spin balancing. It doesn't do anything for RFV, and needs to be redone usually annually. I have been using balancing compound in ll my tires for the last couple years, and I love the results. The best thing I found is actually heavyweight plastic BBs, they don't rust like the steel ones, and they come in 2lb containers. Half a container in each tire, you're good to go. I did this with a set of 31s on an old Wagoneer, it drove smoother than it did from the factory. I even got this to work on a set of 38" Interco TSL SX tires on my F100, but I did have to use a whole container in each tire.

Brian Carlton · #7 12-07-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brookspw

The Bridgestones just will not completely balance out. They've done it 3 times on the Hunter 9700.

The Bridgestones will "completely balance out". When it comes off the machine, the tire and wheel combo is perfectly balanced............with respect to the tooling that is on the machine.

As a curiosity, have them install the "balanced" tire and wheel back onto the machine at a different angular position and see if it is still "balanced".

Since it's a Hunter 9700, the machine can provide a readout of the tread runout. If the runout of the tread is greater than .187 or so, even the Tahoe is going to notice it.

LUVMBDiesels · #8 12-07-2009, 01:12 PM

It could also be the more aggressive tread on the Bridgestones. My Revo A/T's have a lot more vibration than the street only tires they replaced.

compress ignite · #9 12-07-2009, 07:29 PM

Michelins are ROUND
(AND are for your Vehicles)

(It's their Manufacturing Process.)