[Impossible1]

I run BFG All-Terrains (265/75R16) on my Patrol, and am onto my second set after having a good run out of the previous set, with the set I have on at the moment having only done about 10-15 thousand kms.

I decided to rotate the tyres directly from front to rear, and after doing this a terrible wobble was felt through the steering. Thinking this was only a balance problem I took it in to have the tyres balanced. Three tyres balanced up with limited weights required, however one of the now front tyres was majorly out of balance, and on the balancer could be seen to be wobbling side to side in one section of the tyre. The tyre was removed from the rim, and inspected for possible belt damage or something similar, with nothing obvious being found.

I've since had the tyre refitted, however it required a rediculous amount of weights to get anywhere near balanced (13 x 30gm weights either side of the rim), and I was advised by the tyre fitter that it would be better to replace the tyre than to continue running it.

Has anyone else had any problems with this problem, particularly with BFG, and if so did any of you have any success claiming a replacement from the manufacturer?

 

[TroyE]

that's seriously phucked up

 

[ftroop]

i was about to buy a set of these this weekend, but i think i will hold off now. Can you keep us posted with what happens here.

Are you going back to BFG with a claim?

10-15K is bad!

I thought when you rotate the tyres you shouldnt go back to front, but move clockwise?

 

[Impossible1]

Having gone through a warrantly claim with another brand with no success, I seriously doubt I try it with this one. But you can bet I'll be looking at other brands when it's time for more tyres.

I'm not sure on the "Best Practice" methods of tyre rotation, however I normally just go front to rear and vice versa.

I posted this up to see if this is a common problem with this brand.

 

[Tongie]

These tyres have been around for a long long time, seems you got a dud.. i do and will continue to use the BFG A/T as a road based tyre.

 

[Tractor88]

Mate, it would be in your best interest to advise the problem to BFG Head Office and see what they say. They aren't aware of your problem and can't get the opportunity to fix it without your input. I'd at least give them the opportunity to rectify this prob as they are a great tyre and have had a great reputation. If they agree to replace it you'll always use their product and be happy with their service. If they do FA then by all means move on to another manufacturer.
I only say this as i have always found BFG to be good to deal with and I believe they have a very good product.
Good luck with it.

 

[azza4.2td]

The Nissan Manual and the Gregory's both have tyre rotation going in an backwards N direction, Spare to RR, RR to RF, RF to LR, LR to LF and LF to spare. Mind you this is for non directional tyres, with I think most 4WD tyres are.

Having never owned BFG's, cannot say I have had this problem. I hear Coopers require large balance weights to get them in and require regular balancing.

I have Maxxis 751's, and have had nothing to complain about yet and have done lot's of sand and some rocky and rutted tracks without fault. Mind you never been in mud yet.

 

[SHANE 3.0]

Im on my 2nd set of BFG'S, current set i bought 2nd hand from wreckers for $400, no problems except a slow leak on 1 which was caused by mud hardening between rim and bead, now fixed.
Only time i had a balance problem was on the inside of steel rim mud gets caught up on the lip and needs a good clean after a trip, no probs with the Alloys.
As siad contact BFG and advise of issue.

I would not by coopers as there warranty is worth ****e

 

[ChrisE]

I think you should get the tyre fitter to check a couple more things (or ask if he did these already) to get more information before contacting BFG.

1. Remove tyre and all weights. Balance rim only. This will check to make sure it is not the rim. They have a habbit of having mud trapped in them or it could be bent. Add weights to get the rim balanced. You would be hoping for no more than 20 grams.

2. Put tyre back on leaving the existing weights on the rim. This will tell you now what weight the tyre needs. They can mark on the tyre where the weight is needed, so the tyre can be rotated on the rim, so the total weight is minimised. Total weight should be no more than 40 grams or tyre is NFG.

This will cost more to get best possible balance, but cheaper than a new tyre, and can demonstrate to BFG you have done all you can to balance correctly if you try to claim. Hope it helps.

 

[Impossible1]

The rim was run on the balancer with the tyre removed, and was found to be balanced and free of any defects. The tyre carcass seemed to be deformed and not running true, and this appears to be the cause of the balance problem.

 

[GU Duke]

Mate, I'd be going back to BFG, hopefully through the store you bought them from. With any luck, the store will fight most of the battle for you. I'd be surprised if BFG didn't help out if they found the tyre to be defective (which unless it's full of mud, it sounds like it is). They'll want to protect their reputation.

I just had an issue with a Bridgestone. The store I got them from (Beaurepaires Bentleigh / Brighton, Melbourne) would not even help with contacting Bridgestone and sending it back for a warranty inspection. I went to a Bridgestone Tyre Centre who happily sent it back with appropriate paperwork. I staked a sidewall after only about 5km of serios offroad work. On inspection, Bridgestone Aust found the only defect to be a stick poking through the sidewall. :shock: All conversations with the Tech Manager, Bridgestone Australia started out very polite. After a quick 'sorry, not defective, not our problem' and not much pushing I was offered a 1/2 price replacement, then after gradually working throught the spectrum from polite to advice as to what was about to be posted on every 4WD internet forum under the sun, they finally replaced it for free (even covered fitting and balancing, then Bridgestone Tyre Centre Cheltenham only charged me for 2 of the other 3 tyres for balancing). Bottom line - they're confident their tyres are better than my observation, but my observation is just that and I've got every right to tell the world; so they put their reputation 1st and replaced the tyre. I'd be highly surprised if you didn't get similar joy out of BFG.

 

[Whitey]

I would not by coopers as there warranty is worth ****e

Not quite true, I had a full set of 5 tyres replaced under warranty in July. All it took was a visit to the distributor with my log book a 10 minute inspection and chat, had new ones on the next day.

Back on topic, give BFG a chance to look at your complaint and go from there.

 

[71MUD]

I've had 2 sets of BFG A/T's now ,1 on a hilux and on my current patrol . Both vehicles were bought with these tyres fitted so i have no idea of there history . With both sets i had problems with out of balance. No where near as bad as urs though.
I have since replaced these with another brand but while talking to dealers found a very good one who explained this can be a problem but is usually prevented if the tyres are balanced and rotated properly every 10000kms.
other than this i found them a fantastic tyre

 

[truckster]

I'd be using the phone not email.

but I'd start with the tyre shop

 

[Symo]

My factory Brisdgestones are the same, had wheel balance issues since new. Nissan said it was the tyres and actually recommended BFG as a replacement, at my cost of course.

Nissan attempted to balance them and said they got the weights down to 50g per wheel. Anyway the balance was worse after that so I took it Bob Jane who said right up that the Patrol is hard to balance.

Anyway they did the wheels and my front right has 180g on it! Its much better balance then ever, slight wobble at 100km depending how long the corner is, comes out of the corner smooth sometimes comes out wobbly others. I'd say the tyre is out of round etc and at certain corners the forces balance out and things are smooth.

Anyway the vibration is faster and more tolerable at 110km so I can live with it while the tyros are only 50,000km old. Goes to show, that there are some crappy tyros out there at the moment.

 

[jimako]

My factory Brisdgestones are the same, had wheel balance issues since new. Nissan said it was the tyres and actually recommended BFG as a replacement, at my cost of course.

Nissan attempted to balance them and said they got the weights down to 50g per wheel. Anyway the balance was worse after that so I took it Bob Jane who said right up that the Patrol is hard to balance.

Anyway they did the wheels and my front right has 180g on it! Its much better balance then ever, slight wobble at 100km depending how long the corner is, comes out of the corner smooth sometimes comes out wobbly others. I'd say the tyre is out of round etc and at certain corners the forces balance out and things are smooth.

Anyway the vibration is faster and more tolerable at 110km so I can live with it while the tyros are only 50,000km old. Goes to show, that there are some crappy tyros out there at the moment.

Doodlemax you said (Bob Jane who said right up that the Patrol is hard to balance)

Whats the difference between a wheel on a patrol or any other car ?
If thats what they said i would never take anything there again

 

[rvh96]

I run BFG All-Terrains (265/75R16) on my Patrol, and am onto my second set after having a good run out of the previous set, with the set I have on at the moment having only done about 10-15 thousand kms.

I decided to rotate the tyres directly from front to rear, and after doing this a terrible wobble was felt through the steering. Thinking this was only a balance problem I took it in to have the tyres balanced. Three tyres balanced up with limited weights required, however one of the now front tyres was majorly out of balance, and on the balancer could be seen to be wobbling side to side in one section of the tyre. The tyre was removed from the rim, and inspected for possible belt damage or something similar, with nothing obvious being found.

I've since had the tyre refitted, however it required a rediculous amount of weights to get anywhere near balanced (13 x 30gm weights either side of the rim), and I was advised by the tyre fitter that it would be better to replace the tyre than to continue running it.

Has anyone else had any problems with this problem, particularly with BFG, and if so did any of you have any success claiming a replacement from the manufacturer?

whoever balanced that tyre doesnt have a clue how to balance ,by putting weight all round the rim like that it will just keep needing more, take them all off and fit 1 or 2 large weights on the area needed and you will find it will balance with much less weight

 

[Tower]

As mentioned do some ringing around to where you got your tyres and bfg, nothing is made to perfection and you have been unfortunate to get a tyre from a bad batch, bfg have made a name for themselves for have a top product and if they're not willing to help you out when you do talk to them then think about finding another brand.

 

[simonbanks91]

Hello , All tyres from new have a 5yr manf. warrenty from when the tyre has been made if you look for your serial number on the side wall ie aie 123010 the last 4 numbers is week number it came off the rack and the last two is the year it was born so 30 weeks 2010 i would be asking the tyre shop to get the bfg rep to the shop to see your tyre with you and explain why its has gone pear shape BFG are made to be robust but not refined as say a japan made tyre ie b/stone any more than 100 grams per side i be asking for a replacment one

 

[Don]

Hello , All tyres from new have a 5yr manf. warrenty from when the tyre has been made

Are you sure of this ?

Regards Don