Tire Question - Issues After Going To Taller Tires

I recently replaced the OEM tires on my '09 Taco 4 x 2 basic Access cab. The originals were 215/70R15. I replaced them with some Nexen 235/70R15 raised white letter tires. It really improved the looks of the truck. Two issues I am having is when it hit a bump the front tires seem to shake more than they did. At about 67mph I can feel vibration and can actually see the passenger seat back shake. I am going to take it back and have it checked. If there is no balance or out of round issue I wonder if going to a taller (more weight) tire is a bit too much for the basic Taco suspension?

 

You probably went to an LT, stiffer tire. Check the tire pressure. The tire guys may have inflated them to the maximum pressure for the tire, or at least too high for your light truck. You should probably be right around 35 psi.

Taller tires should run over bumps and holes more smoothly, with all othe factors being the same.

 

I'll bet it's the dang nitrogen they put in them. I talked to the dealer and have an appointment tomorrow. He said it could be balance or a tire issue and will check them all out. He said he didn't think the taller profile had and negative effect. I will ask them to re-inflate to 35 psi.

 

You may also want to check your lug nuts. It isn't impossible to a shop to forget to tighten them down.

 

Not a bad idea. The day they were installed they were training a new installer.

 

Always get the torque checked after driving 30-50 miles

 

Good idea.

 

Or give them too many Ugga Duggas. Always best to check them yourself for proper torque, which iirc is 84ftlbs.

 

That would be the larger diameter tires bridging gaps and the bit of extra sidewall cushioning?

I'm just assuming the new tires are heavier than the old ones. From the truck's perspective you want to reduce unsprung mass and rotational inertia, so you usually will see more negatives from increasing undamped mass that is usually the case with a larger tire (not always, though).

If I had to guess, the OP's shocks are getting old and the extra mass is more obvious on his truck.

 

It's not the nitrogen, although nitro filled tires is a scam. Make sure the shop that mounted them did a dynamic (spin) balance. Wheels on these trucks need a dynamic balance to avoid vibration issues.

 

Yup, years ago after new tires I tried to take the front tires off to do new brake pads and couldn't get the nuts loose with a 4' pipe on the lug wrench.

I know most of these installers aren't rocket scientists but I have to chuckle about my experiences with them over the years and I am 67. One of my fav's was at Big O Tires. I was having a rotation done. I was looking through a glass window 10' from my car. It had a wheel lock lug nut on each wheel. The lock socket was tethered to the lug wrench. 5' feet from me while looking through the glass I see "Gomer" ripping the lock socket from the tether so he could use it on his impact wrench. After the rotation he came into the waiting room and handed me the socket telling me it "fell off." I told him, "I know, I was watching you when it "fell" off.

 

5 lug truck, based on your sizes mentioned?

A 235 75 15 is the largest on OE wheels that will not bump or rub anywhere. Many of us roll those.

Even in a P tire it will make the right a tad different. Not bad, just different.

I run 30 in mine.

Others have mentioned all the right things, re lug nuts, balance, air pressure.

You don't mention your mileage. It's not impossible that you have a worn shock issue that the tires bring to light. And if you do have a higher than P tire, that stiff sidewall is not the friend of comfort.

As far as setting proper pressures for your truck, read up on how to do a chalk test on the tread for all 4, and a chalk test for the sidewalls on the front. Those should get you real close.

 

I am retired and don't drive a lot. My '09 I bought new and it has 47K mileage and has only had mostly city driving. The little ugly small OEM tires rode so smooth. I bought the tires from Tire Discounters. I told them I wanted a taller tire for looks but wanted the smooth ride as top priority. At 65 mph the passenger seat back looks like a bobble head. I will see how good their customer service is tomorrow.

 

Changing to dramatically larger tires CAN throw lots of stuff out of sync and cause problems. But that isn't a lot bigger tire. I've never owned Nexen tires. But over the years have owned some "budget" brands. Sometimes they ride and balance up as good as more expensive tires. But the odds of getting some that just don't ride well are much greater. I've had some that just would not balance and I either lived with it until they wore out or replaced them sooner than expected.

 

OP, the passenger seat shaking with speed is indicative of one or both of he rear tires being out of balance.

 

The balance weights might have fallen off. Last time I went in to get new tires they put the weights in the wrong spot and they got knocked off by the brake caliper. Two visits later and some bs from the sales guy I finally got them to fix it by just moving the weights and it was smooth sailing from there

 

Well, I now have a truck that rides as smooth as silk and takes bumps much better. I took the truck back to the store and the manager test drove it. He said he felt that something wasn't right and he felt it in the seat also. He re-balanced the rear tires and drove it again. It was better but still not right. He didn't have any more in stock so he ordered 4 new ones. I took the truck back and he put two new tires on the rear and no change. He put two new on the front still no change. He did have in stock what he called a "better grade" Nexen tire in a 225/75R/15 and took the 235/70R/15 off. It could have been the quality of the first tires or the mere size that overwhelmed the rear suspension and caused a little hop in the rear tires. Anywho, I still have the look of the larger tire I was looking for and a silky smooth ride. Thanks everyone for their input.

 

Nice to hear a good outcome.
So they might have just been a touch too big huh...

 

I think that there was just too much bulk for the stock suspension. It wasn't a total victory since the final tires I got did not have the raised white letters I was looking for although they do look much better than the stock tires that came on it. And the new tires ride as smooth as silk.