Tirerack Yoko AVS dB's 7Kmi & problems
 

I've got Yoko AVS dB 195/65 R15 on my '87 300D. When running the car on the lift, at 60-80 MPH, the driveshaft and axles look fine. The rear driver tire "hops" and the mechanic says the wheel looks fine. It translates into a vibration on the freeway that's especially noticable after 70 MPH. Rotating left side tires front-back and the hop wasn't there, so I don't think its that hub assmebly. The tires have been rotated once, at 3Kmi, and have 7Kmi on them.

The outside edge of these tires has minor feathering. More interesting, is that not all the tread blocks are exactly evenly spaced apart! Some look closer together than others. This shows up on all four tires!

The shocks are Bilstein's, about 65Kmi and everything with the suspension checks out. Driveshaft and axles look fine on the lift running at freeway speeds.

Are these tires worn out or defective?

What should I replace them with? They were bought at Tirerack.com in June.

Brian

This one is most DEFINITELY a job for a Hunter GSP9700 wheel balancer. Go to www.gsp9700.com and search for the shop nearest you that has one of these great machines.

I fully expect that you have a defective tire. The 9700 will find the problem. Most likely your nearest MB dealership will have one of these machines.

Many tires are improperly balanced because the balancer operator didn't give a hoot about his job. These can be fixed by simply properly balancing on a decent balancer. When you get a description like you gave, it's definitely 9700 time.

Good luck,

Took it to one of the best shops in town that have a GSP9700. Measured road force variation

LF 8 lbs
RF 13 lbs
LR 16 lbs
RR 12 lbs

These results parallel what I found by running car on lift and swapping tires, that LR is bad (it vibrates like crazy on car). The RF is also probably bad, as my steering also shakes.

What's next? I'll call tirerack!

Brian

Brian, what happen to your tires? How does Tirerack response? I got a set of Avid Touring from them and my steering shake above 70 mph, I have gone to 2 tire store have the front tires balanced 3 times already (the first 2 are using "static", the third time they put the weight on both faces), I have to find th GSP9700 to find waht exactly the problem is.

gsp9700.com to find one in your area.

I called Tire Rack with the numbers from the GSP9700 and they agreed to send me another tire, and UPS would come and pick up the other. Unforuntely they did not get me the tire in time (FedEx 2nd day on Monday arrived Friday morning, not WEdnesday!!) so I had to put a set of Michelin MXV4's on the car before I left for vacation. So, now, I have 4 Yoko tires that I won't need for a while. But overall, it will be okay, and I'll order again.

Brian