Wrong Tires!!! Wow!

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kingtonghsp

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I don't know if you guys remember me, but I owned the V6 LS that got smashed into a cop cruiser at 70 mph, because my friend was DD for my squad buddies. Welll....

I bought a new V8 LS, but I noticed a vibration problem...

GUESS WHAT!?

Whoever owned it before me, had the wrong tire size...they have

225/55r17, when the recommended for the V8 is 235/50R17


Now can this cause the vibration or is that totally a different problem by itself?

It usually vibrates violently around 70mph + and gets worse as the speed increases...effing WIERD EH?
 
Well all of them are 225/55R17, when all of them are suppose to be...235/50R17.

So that can cause the vibration at 70+mph? Any other problem it can cause? I can't really afford all new tires, so I might have to opt for used ones for now. Having a baby in a few weeks, so we're baby gear shopping! LOL.
 
have your tires checked. They may have some "cupping". have your tires balanced... The tire size you quoted is only a little narrower than stock.
 
I am betting unless there is abnormal tread-wear, that the smaller sized tire is not the problem. Have you tried getting them balanced?
 
Your pretty on hand there brother. I took them to bridgestone, to get the life time warranty on my alignment, and they said the wear on the tire is pretty severe on the sides...the previous owner really did not take care of this vehicle, it saddens my heart! LOL. But I am here to fix all of her problems...

but since they aren't too narrow compared to the stock size, do you think the vibration problem could be something else?

No I haven't tried getting them balanced, that's on the to do list. They do have some abnormal wear down arond the outter edges of the tires. thanks alot for the suggestions fellas.
 
kingtonghsp said:
Your pretty on hand there brother. I took them to bridgestone, to get the life time warranty on my alignment, and they said the wear on the tire is pretty severe on the sides...the previous owner really did not take care of this vehicle, it saddens my heart! LOL. But I am here to fix all of her problems...

but since they aren't too narrow compared to the stock size, do you think the vibration problem could be something else?

No I haven't tried getting them balanced, that's on the to do list. They do have some abnormal wear down arond the outter edges of the tires. thanks alot for the suggestions fellas.
Click to expand...

Uneven wear usually points to an alignment problem. I would replace the tires and get a four-wheel alignment. Be sure to check that none of the rims are bent.
One trick is to get someone to follow you on the interstate and look at each of the wheels. You may find that only one is bouncing up and down and the others are okay.
 
From the sounds of it, it is time for new tires. Many places when you buy new tires, will road-force balance them and mount them w/ the purchase of a full set.
 
Andrizzle said:
From the sounds of it, it is time for new tires. Many places when you buy new tires, will road-force balance them and mount them w/ the purchase of a full set.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Bridgestone said they would do all that for free! Those are my guys, they do great work I hear.

Are Bridgestone tires any good though? That is my question. I hear mixed reviews from different sources. What do you think?

JOE!

Thanks for the input, I guess i'll have my wife follow me sometime this week to see if any of the wheels are bent. The car was aligned a few months back, and it was vibrating then as well. Hopefully it's just worn down tires that's causing it.
 
SoonerLS said:
It depends on the model of tire. The Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions are outstanding tires; I had them on my '06 V8, and would have no compunction about going back to them (for the last go-round, I replaced them with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Pluses, which are also great tires).
Click to expand...

I was looking at those just now, they do sound AWESOME. Got great reviews. They have a Firestone shop here on Fort Campbell, and I will be spending my tax return on those rubbers :D

Does it matter which LS Rims I have? These rims don't look like everyone else's V8 rims. Here is a pic.

aly03514u.jpg
 
kingtonghsp;622248 Does it matter which LS Rims I have? These rims don't look like everyone else's V8 rims. Here is a pic.[/QUOTE said:
That picture is of a v8 rim. You could have a bent rim, but my question for you is is there any abnormal sounds when driving or when the vibration happens?
Click to expand...
 
kingtonghsp said:
I was looking at those just now, they do sound AWESOME. Got great reviews. They have a Firestone shop here on Fort Campbell, and I will be spending my tax return on those rubbers :D

Does it matter which LS Rims I have? These rims don't look like everyone else's V8 rims. Here is a pic.
Click to expand...

Looks like the rims on my 04 V8 sport.
 
kingtonghsp said:
I was looking at those just now, they do sound AWESOME. Got great reviews.
Click to expand...
Those Potenzas have been on the top of the heap in that class for years; they weren't significantly displaced until Michelin released the Pilot Sport A/S Plus last year (I can tell you that I'd hate to have to live on the difference between those two). I don't know about the Contis at the top of the heap now--they don't have many collective miles on them, so I'm betting they'll drop down the list, just like everything except the Michelins and Bridgestones.

As noted above, your wheels are the standard 7-spoke Machined Aluminum wheels (they look more like 14-spoke wheels to me, but Lincoln calls them 7-spoke ;) ).
 
It really just sounds like a tire balance issue to me. If Bridgestone is going to give you a replacement set for free take it! Get them balanced and see if it fixes it. If the vibration is still there you can go looking into the more expensive issues at that point.

I'd first balance them and replace tires if they are worn
Next, alignment - looking at the wear on the tires should help determine if that is needed
Finally, start looking at the suspension, bushings, tie rods, etc.

Unfortunately, if you have to replace some suspension parts you will likely have to do another alignment.
 
Tires will be my first thing, guessing that the suspension parts are EXTREMELY expensive!!! But I don't have a problem with doing another alignment, since I got the lifetime warranty alignment from Firestone shop! I love Firestone/Bridgestone, those guys have the best deals, and they'll even look at your car for free whenever you get service done there.

Well i'll be buying those Potenzas. Since I trust Firestone with my Lincoln.
 
kingtonghsp said:
I don't know if you guys remember me, but I owned the V6 LS that got smashed into a cop cruiser at 70 mph, because my friend was DD for my squad buddies. Welll....

I bought a new V8 LS, but I noticed a vibration problem...

GUESS WHAT!?

Whoever owned it before me, had the wrong tire size...they have

225/55r17, when the recommended for the V8 is 235/50R17


Now can this cause the vibration or is that totally a different problem by itself?

It usually vibrates violently around 70mph + and gets worse as the speed increases...effing WIERD EH?
Click to expand...

My car had 225/55/17's on it when I bought it... drove just fine. And they were pretty much all gone in the back after a week :D
 
The 16' stock tires are 215/60-16 and I run this size for my winter tires with no problems. Has a similar problem a number of years ago with my Scorpio. It was a balancing issue.
 
SoonerLS said:
Those Potenzas have been on the top of the heap in that class for years; they weren't significantly displaced until Michelin released the Pilot Sport A/S Plus last year (I can tell you that I'd hate to have to live on the difference between those two). I don't know about the Contis at the top of the heap now--they don't have many collective miles on them, so I'm betting they'll drop down the list, just like everything except the Michelins and Bridgestones.

As noted above, your wheels are the standard 7-spoke Machined Aluminum wheels (they look more like 14-spoke wheels to me, but Lincoln calls them 7-spoke ;) ).
Click to expand...

Good choice...I run 245/45 x 17's, in the Bridgestone Potenza
 
Look for the cause of the abnormal tire wear.
Some have suggested alignment, and wheel balancing.
If your car has 100K or so on the odo, you might want to check on the shocks. They can cause irregular tire wear, as well.
 
CrackerJack said:
My car had 225/55/17's on it when I bought it... drove just fine. And they were pretty much all gone in the back after a week :D
Click to expand...

Hey Jack, did you have a V8 or a V6? What year?


I hope it's just the tires need balancing. I did an alignment, and still to no avail. If it's the shocks...my bank account is gonna die.
 
Check out, General Altimax HP tires. Very quiet, about $100 at tire rack. 245/45 HR 17
 
dtangerini said:
Check out, General Altimax HP tires. Very quiet, about $100 at tire rack. 245/45 HR 17
Click to expand...

That price is very tempting, but are you aware that is the wrong size?

I believe the V8 LS is 235/50R17.

Going Monday to get my new Potenza's put on at Firestone, along with an alignment, if it still shakes and vibrates at 70MPH...I am going to look further into what could be wrong. =\.
 
Mechanicboy said:
That picture is of a v8 rim. You could have a bent rim, but my question for you is is there any abnormal sounds when driving or when the vibration happens?
Click to expand...

No, no abnormal or unusual noises occur during driving. Just the usual road noise at 70mph. You know, the wind and a slight humming from the pavement and rubber meeting. It's wierd, it drastically gets worse the faster I go. Then right under 70mph it just stops vibrating.

=\

I am very scared.
 
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