Our '07 GT/CS vert was at the dealer today, getting o/c, r&b, etc. the 5000 mile service.

I mentioned the vibration at highway speed ( 60-70 mph).

Service writer says " We will rotate and balance for free 1 time during warranty." Fine go for it, is my reply.

2 hours later, my car is still on the rack, seems the tech can't get the last tire to balance.

They check the wheel runout on the 18" chromes, it is fine, no bents or wobble.

The Bfg tire has been molded wrong in the tread area, the tread is not uniformed straight, the grooves do not line up.
This is not internal belt/ seperating problem, it is the tread area molding.

Seems to be "thicker" in one area than another.

New tire comes tomorrow, another happy customer.
Also got more free service coupons, free gas and a wash job.

Yeah,

TDS

 

Glad to hear you got it figured out...on my '03...I had to have the powersteeinr rack replaced at 30,000 miles...but it was on warranty!

 

Congrats on getting it solved. What does r&b mean? (I just know its going to be something ridiculously obvious when you respond!)

Edit: Never mind...rotate and balance, got it!

 

Here's a dumb question in or on a Mustang GT what exactly does the GT stand for ? I never recalled ever hearing it ! Thank-You.

 

The "GT", if taken from the Europeans, would be for "Gran Turismo" or Grand Touring. Please correct me if wrong.

 

You got it right!

 

You're right on dude! A Grand Tourer has sporty intentions (i.e. a drivers car, as opposed to something you get chofferd [sp?] around in), but is generally larger/heavier than a sports car and has more space....like a back seat that is usable. Think 911/Miata/350Z = Sports car, and 06 GTO, Mustang GT, Mercedes Benz CL = "GT". Another distinction would be a 2 seater Ferrari (430 or a 599), versus their GT which is a 2+2.

BTW, I'd much rather have a GT than a sports car....I take my twin kids for rides all the time...couldn't do that with a Z, or a Solstice, even a 911; that vestigial back seat would be a tight fit. I've had to take co-workers and their luggage, which fit in the trunk quite well in addition to the kids' car seats.

 

Tommy,
If your tires have ( had ) red dots on them, did you happen to take notice of where the dot was in relation to the valve stems ?
Just curious, only one of my tires has the dot at the stem.
Ron

 

The 4 Original tires had "red dots" at the stems from factory.


The 4 "new" tires I got today, SURPRIZE, have dots at the stems.<SURPRIZE the from p at placed dots have warranty under dealer stem.<>
Got the call today at 2 o'clock your tires are in. Tires? was my answer, I am waiting on 1.

Response, from the service writer " The Service Manager contacted Ford, they said to put 4 on the vehicle, do you want BFG or Michelins?

I got BFG's like were on the car from the factory, did not recognize the Michelins that I was being offered, they were not Pilots.

TDS

 

BONUS!!

 

You should see the amount of weights on my rims! I guess unbalanced tires is a big deal for these rides, huh? I havent noticed any vibrations, none more than usual.

 

Just had mine r&b'd (2nd time since new), and 2 of them also have 2.5 ounces on them, but they balance out after that and no vibrations. From my experience when I had my Viper GTS (335/35/17's), the wider the tire the more of a pain it is getting them to balance out.

 

I have a 2007 GT/CS and I checked my tires and none of the "Red Dots" line up with the valve stems. I have heard this before that they should. I had the car up to 85 to 90 this last weekend and did not feel any vibration. I am going to bring it up to the dealer when I go in for the first oil change though. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Most stick on weights, (common) type have approx .25 ounce per quarter inch section. So 4x.25 = 1 ounce.
At 1 ounce per inch, 6 to 8 inches of weights (overall length) equals 6 to 8 ounces of weight.

That is entirely too much for the tire size on these cars.
Our 4x4 Explorer with much bigger tires, both height and width did not have that much weight.

Also the greater the distance that the weight is spread out on the wheel,
the worse that the imbalance problem becomes.
Yes it is possible to balance a wheel tire combination with this much weight, but it should not be neccesary.

I supplied the dealer with some Euro stick on weights, they are thicker according to overall weight. They maybe 1 inch in length, but thicker which increases their overall weight (concentrats) it in a smaller area on the rim.

TDS

 

Tommy, where did you get those weights? Thanks.

 

I got them from the WURTH supply man that comes around our shop once a month, also most tire supply (Mounting & balancing equipment) co.'s can supply them. Check if there is a Myers Tire supply Co. in your town or nearby.

TDS