new tyre troubles!

[Sprint'n'Go]

Is it me???? The catalogue of problems with my van continue.

As I mentioned in a recent thread I have had a new set of tyres fitted to the van, supplied by Etyres and fitted by one of their mobile fitting vans. See this thread - http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=20913

Since then the vibrations have gone mad. I have had vibration problems before but nowhere near as bad as this, see this thread - http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18562
They are now worse but at consistent speeds unlike before where I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After the first post about the vibrations I decided to live with the vague symptoms until the new tyres were fitted.

Etyres have now made 2 rectification visits to rebalance my tyres/wheels with no success which ended today with a visit to a local National Tyres branch with the Etyres fitter to find that even a fixed machine couldn't balance the tyres. This has confirmed my belief that there is not an underlying problem with the van and has also cleared the tyre fitter of incompetance/faulty equipment.

So what the hell is wrong with my tyres? Every time they go back on the balancer they need different weights. As far as I know once a wheel has been balanced (the etyres guy could acheive zero's) it should show zero's when returned to the balancer a second time.

As things stand now, the Etyres fitter is going to report back to his management and get in touch with the Continental tyres tech support team and then we will see what is suggested.


There is a further complication in this case, Tracking! I popped into a nearby ATS branch that had set the tracking about 60k previously and asked them to recheck the tracking. I had no reason to suspect any problems, no pulling, steering wheel centred and perfectly even tyre wear. ATS still reckoned the tracking was out and reset it. Now after 3 attempts they are saying the steering rack is faulty as they are unable to set the steering wheel straight, every time the vehicle is moved it comes to rest slightly off horizontal. They do say that the front wheels are remaining set parrallel so there will be no tyre scrubbing or pulling. I think they are talking bol***ks as there was no problem before they touched it and the steering rack is securely mounted. I suspect they are somehow preloading the suspension bushes as they alter the tracking so once the van is driven the settings are being thrown out. I plan to alter it myself by turning one side a bit then doing the exact same to the other side until it is right. Am I risking causing a major cock up?

 

[IAN MAC]

You wouldn't be the first person to get a bad tyre. could easily be out of shape. try changing one at a time with the spare and driving a few miles.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

You wouldn't be the first person to get a bad tyre. could easily be out of shape. try changing one at a time with the spare and driving a few miles.

I agree entirely but, none of the four tyres will balance. Why?

National Tyres suggested balancing on the vehicle but I really don't want to do this (if it would work) as I think it will cause enormous problems when it is time to rotate the wheels or simply replacing a wheel after a puncture.

The other point is I shouldn't have to do the fault finding. At the moment I feel like telling Etyres to take them all back off. I have already wasted 6-7 hours on top of the original fitting session messing about trying to get them sorted.

 

[MW]

I would thik that tyres on wheels, and balancing with lead weights, are just about the simplist job on a car. There are no moving parts, and it is low tech.
I suspect the tyres could be an iffy batch, whose 'characteristis' are not stable.
I would try to get a refund, as the product is not fit for purpose. Go to a good tyre shop, and get a new set of 'straight/normal tyres'.
The tyres are the only variable in this story, if the vibration was OK before.
A new set of tyres + balancing normally give a car a 'nice' smooth feel.
Let us know what happens.

 

[edhinho]

this sounds horribly familiar. after much swapping/balancing tyres I got my indie to do a thorough check of all possible causes of my vibration probs. he found nothing wrong and suggested 1. poor batch of tyres or 2. tyre make unsuitable for car (too stiff sidewalls?)
having put a fair few miles on them they are now better but will be changed when I feel Ive got my monies worth out of them (at the price of them that will be about 5 years !!!)

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

this sounds horribly familiar. after much swapping/balancing tyres I got my indie to do a thorough check of all possible causes of my vibration probs. he found nothing wrong and suggested 1. poor batch of tyres or 2. tyre make unsuitable for car (too stiff sidewalls?)
having put a fair few miles on them they are now better but will be changed when I feel Ive got my monies worth out of them (at the price of them that will be about 5 years !!!)

I have run a few sets of the exact same tyres previously without this problem except,..... this latest set have been made in S Africa where as previous sets were all manufactured in Germany.

I am begining to believe that this is the problem!

 

[carabind]

Were the tyres suspiciously cheap?

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Were the tyres suspiciously cheap?

£327 for the four, annoyingly I spotted a deal at the local ats a few days later, 4 for the price of 3 which worked out at £325

Etyres have contacted me today and say they are going to turn the tyres over on the rims and then rebalance on a freshly calibrated balancer. This sounds like clutching at straws to me as they are not directional tyres and even a third party couldn't balance them previously. I am fairly certain I am going to ask for a refund before they do any further pi**ing about.

Watch this space.

 

[carabind]

You're right to go for the refund - if they're not right after all the effort now, then swapping them over and rebalacing isn't going to help. Might be worth giving them this last chance for fix, , with the proviso that if it's not right, you'll need a refund or new tyres. In my experience, they are more likely to go for the latter, as once they have had your cash they won't wnat to part with it. Let us know how you get on

 

[steve.link]

I had similar problems with my W211 after 4 new wheels and tyres (Continentals).

I lost count the number of times I had to go back to the dealer to get it fixed.

In the end all they did was to rebalance using a "dynamic" wheel balancing machine. I understand this puts a lateral load on the wheel/tyre and it much more accurate than a conventional balancer. Apparantly only certain MB dealers have these machines.

Hope this helps

Steve

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

You're right to go for the refund - if they're not right after all the effort now, then swapping them over and rebalacing isn't going to help. Might be worth giving them this last chance for fix, , with the proviso that if it's not right, you'll need a refund or new tyres. In my experience, they are more likely to go for the latter, as once they have had your cash they won't wnat to part with it. Let us know how you get on

Etyres came today and did their thing without success. I had already confirmed that if this didn't work they would take this set of tyres back. Unsuprisingly they seem keener to supply a replacement set rather than giving a refund! I will talk to them in more detail during office hours this week and let you know how I go on. The fitter mentioned Bridgestone but I am keen on Michelins (Mercedes fit Conti's or Michelins at the factory) althought they are a touch dearer I will be going for them to be swapped at the same cost in exchange for all the aggro I have had.

After the fitter left, I went back under the van just to reassure myself that this is not a problem with the van. All the wheel bearings feel good with no excess play or roughness, anti roll bushes are good, propshaft u/j's and centre bearing are all good and all prop balance weights are present and finally I un-did the bottom bolts on the rear shockers to make sure the shocks were working smoothly over their full length with no soft spots. I am as sure as I can be that the fault does not lie with my van. I had to check as I would look such a fool if a new set of tyres did'nt cure the vibration and as the problem started with the new tyres and in view of the problems trying to get them to balance I will confidently ask for new tyres or a refund.

I will inform you of the outcome.

 

[television]

Shame its not sorted Steve when you earn your living with it, it can understand your point over the tyre brands with the milage you do. From the dealers point they are trying their best, I have days sometimes when I wished that I had stayed bed.

Malcolm

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Success!!!

Shame its not sorted Steve when you earn your living with it, it can understand your point over the tyre brands with the milage you do. From the dealers point they are trying their best, I have days sometimes when I wished that I had stayed bed.

Malcolm

At last. Etyres came today and changed the tyres for another set of Conti-Vanco's. They insisted on the Conti's as it would strengthen their claim against the manufacturer? My only stipulation was that this set was German made. Well, after nearly 3k of wobbly tyres it is a treat to cruise in comfort. I did nearly 500 miles on Tuesday and it was driving me nuts, no matter what speed I did from about 55mph upto xxxmph I couldn't get away from the vibration.

Excluding todays fitting session but counting the original fitting time and the 3 subsequent rectification visits these tyres have wasted about 12hours of my time. I know the suppliers have done their best but it is bl**dy frustrating. Tyres should be one of the simpler purchases.

I wonder what my next torment will be?

 

[carabind]

Good news that you got sorted in the end. Wonder how many of the duff tyres are still being sold???

 

[IAN MAC]

Or which unlucky punter gets your old tyres.!!!

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Or which unlucky punter gets your old tyres.!!!

I had to fill in 4 tyre rejection forms (one for each tyre) and the notes at the bottom of the page said that the methods of examination may render the tyres unuseable so probably no one will get stuck with these tyres! I will be interested to hear any feedback about the problem but if Continental are at all like Mercedes I doubt I will hear anything.